Low Speed Steering binding/plowing

[Dave_Frumkin]

I have a 99 Legacy Outback wgn, 5spd 121K miles it has recently
started to plow/bind when doing slow speed tight radius turns in
forward or reverse, clutch in or out. Some times it worse than
others...I think it has to do with heat. Literally seems like I am
driving a 4wd on drive pavement. No steering issues at higher speeds
no sign of CV joint problem. I have read a couple of AT posts and
replys but don't know if they would be the same issue as standard.

 

[Rob Munach]

I have a 99 Legacy Outback wgn, 5spd 121K miles it has recently
started to plow/bind when doing slow speed tight radius turns in
forward or reverse, clutch in or out. Some times it worse than
others...I think it has to do with heat. Literally seems like I am
driving a 4wd on drive pavement. No steering issues at higher speeds
no sign of CV joint problem. I have read a couple of AT posts and
replys but don't know if they would be the same issue as standard.

It sounds like the viscous coupling in your center diff is going south.

 

[Dominic Richens]

I have a 99 Legacy Outback wgn, 5spd 121K miles it has recently
started to plow/bind when doing slow speed tight radius turns in
forward or reverse, clutch in or out. Some times it worse than
others...I think it has to do with heat. Literally seems like I am
driving a 4wd on drive pavement. No steering issues at higher speeds
no sign of CV joint problem. I have read a couple of AT posts and
replys but don't know if they would be the same issue as standard.

The viscous-coupler in your center differential is wearing out, like the one
in my 1995 5spd Legacy with 175k km. I was quoted 1200$CDN to replace it. I
generally notice it after driving for hours on the hwy then trying to pull
into a parking spot at "Tim's". The car will stop if the clutch is in, or
stall if I leave the clutching and don't give it some gas.

The other thing I learned to watch out for was doing a U-turn on a back
country road, where you finish the turn on the far side gravel shoulder.
The car will plow into the ditch if you are not careful.

I was told by my Soob mechanic that if I leave it, the "problem" eventually
goes away, in that the VC will never be engaged and you'll have an AWD with
an open center differential.