Subaru 5EAT

Transmission general data

The 5-speed RWD transmission 5EAT was designed in 2003 by Jatco on commission from Subaru for popular models Tribeca, Impreza, Outback, Legacy on a constructive basis of Jatco JR507E , reengineered for the engine room of Subaru.

Since 2005, the 5EAT unit has been operating on LEGACY model equipped with engines having the capacity from 2 to 3.6 liters. Later this transmission was paired with 3-liter engines Н6 on American models of Tribeca and Outback. The Impreza model for the Japanese market was also equipped with this transmission.

Technical issues and repair guidelines

This transmission allows accelerating as DSG by means of the torque converter lock-up slipping, leading to rapid fluid contamination and resulting in damage of the friction lock-up. Consequently solenoids wear out and the valve body gets clogged.Therefore, manufacturers of automatic transmissions assume that it is better to change the fluid with filter after covering 80 thousand kilometers (depending on the driving style) and change it the next time when oil transparency is not good enough. After 120-150 thousand kilometers, it is necessary to check for the presence of metal grit in the pan.

Oil change and first overhauls usually require order of the plastic filter with felt "accordion" connection.Specialists install the external main filter sequentially to metal coarse mesh filter. The filter is located outside of the transmission and access to it is maximally facilitated. The main filter helps to keep the oil clean and reduces the wear of the friction components and aging of solenoids. These measures are recommended for all old transmissions, which have a regular filter with a metal mesh.The repair kit of gaskets and seals/Overhaul kit is usually ordered with the kit of friction components.

There are two types of solenoids which are usually get replaced: solenoid in the Direct package (this solenoid operates more intensively than others) and solenoid of the second type with a cover plate, and the problem is specified by the computer error (The problem may lie in the spooling burn-out resulting in improper gear shifting or wear-out of the valve mechanical part.). The list of typical problems in the 5ЕАТ unit also includes solenoids and the speed sensor overheating and clogging with dirt and metal chips from the torque converter.

The list of soft spots for this transmission also include:

-Pump with bushing and seal.

- Shaft with a sun gear of an interaxle planetary gear for vehicles with engine capacity over 3-liters.

The design of the 5ЕАТ unit is similar to the construction of Jatco’s RE5R05. Many spare parts in these transmission units are interchangeable. But the valve body and solenoids are different.