Opening my transmission this weekend, need advice

[bnr32jason]

I would consider myself to have novice/intermediate knowledge and ability as far as working on cars go. I've R&R'd engines, transmissions, fixed wiring, suspension modification, etc, but never really got into the internals of a transmission or engine.

I have a STi RA 5-spd transmission which I would like to inspect for overall condition and presence (or lack thereof) of a front helical differential. I'll be doing it this weekend (tomorrow most likely) along with cleaning the transmission up really well. A friend will be helping me, but his experience is limited to motorcycle gearboxes.

I'm looking for tech advice on things to do or not to do when splitting the case and re-assembling it. I won't be taking any of the internals out, I'll just be inspecting them. Is there anything I should be aware of or any common "bonehead" mistakes that I should be aware of? What kind of things should I be inspecting? Obviously condition of the gear teeth is my number one thing, but is there anything else I should be looking for?

I know this isn't 818 specific, but it is the transmission I'll be using in my 818, so figured I would ask here.

Thanks!

[wallace18]

I would get a pdf copy of the factory manual and follow it as close as you can. Lots of special tools are listed but some get by without. I have rebuilt over 100 transmissions in german cars but I paid someone to rebuild my subie trans so I did not have to buy the special tools.

[bnr32jason]

Special tools needed just for opening the case? I will try to obtain a factory service manual, but just by looking at the transmission it seems like I just have to remove the long bolts that hold the two sides together and I should be able separate the pieces. Like I said, this is really only for inspection purposes, not to do any kind of rebuild/restoration.

Thanks for the information.

[Xusia]

Erik has already done it, when he put in an LSD. I'd wait for him to respond. :)

[metalmaker12]

I have helped rebuild about 4 wrx trannys, but I am not a subaru tranny expert, more of a engine/drivability, ecu guy. There are some subaru specific tools. The tools are alignment tools, and I do recommend for a full rebuild, but to just split the case and take a look you should be ok. This resource is the best available publicly http://ken-gilbert.com/wrx/mans/pre97/Transmission.pdf

If you get stuck I will do my best, and my friend is a master subaru tranny guy, so he is a quick resource

[bnr32jason]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll be sure to take pictures, someone might find them useful.