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My 98 Outback manual box was a bit notchy between changes, so I thought I'd give some synthetic gearbox oil a try. Put $120 worth of Castrol Syntrax in it, and it actually made it a heap better. It took a few weeks to really come good which was odd, but the box feels a heap lighter now when shifting, and the notchiness from tired synchros is almost gone. Expensive oil, but worth doing. Just thought I'd share in case others are having this problem.

yeah expensive is worth doing - I've done that as well last time i paid like $160 for full synthetic (Motal I think it was) very good oil for towing... my gearbox was crunchy when it was hot before I changed to expensive oil and ever since it has been great - specially thru summer..
Cheers
AP

Mine sounds like it needs this sort of treatment, before I get under there and start poking around what is the procedure for this?

BTW: It's an '02 Gen 3 Outback

Thanks,
Jordan.

It's a pretty simple job really. You just remove the drain plug on the bottom of the gearbox and let the old fluid drain. It can take a while to get the last bit out, I left mine for 45mins or so. It's best to go for a decent drive to warm the gearbox up so it drains better. Replace the drain plug! On the left hand side of the rear of the engine/gearbox you will find the yellow gearbox dipstick. Remove this and insert a piece of ~70cm piece of CLEAN garden hose, it should fit perfectly. Then, holding the 1liter oil bottle upright, bend the special filler tube on top of the bottle over and poke it into the garden hose. Upend the bottle and squeeze it until it's empty. Repeat to put 3.5 litres into the gearbox.
If you are using Castrol, make sure you get SynTrax, NOT Syntrans.

Anglomoil an Australian company makes an excellent manual gearbox oil for a fraction of this price. i have used it to great effect in a range of gearboxes from trucks to cars to tractors. they have an additive that helps the syncroes work but still provide proper lubrication.

Ahh same as L/MY, no dramas then, I was told it was different and more complex.

Jordan.

It takes a few hundred km to really start working too, so don't be alarmed if it's no better straight up.

Made a mistake once in filling up my brothers gearbox in his RS, the mistake was i put LSX90 in the box instead of the multitrax i had for it. After a short drive it was very noticeable the difference smoother faster changes and the lever felt lighter. The car has since done 25000kms and not a problem yet