5 Signs It’s Time to Overhaul Your DCCD

Jul 30, 2024 | Educational Articles

  • Introduction

At MooreSport, we are passionate about ensuring your Subaru WRX STI performs at its best. Today, we delve into an essential component of your vehicle – the Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD). For Subaru enthusiasts, maintaining this crucial part can significantly enhance your car’s handling and traction, especially under high-performance or racing conditions.

We recently collaborated with Pro Rally driver Antoine L’Estage to create an informative video about the DCCD. Be sure to check it out here.

  • What is a DCCD?

The Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) manages the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels of a Subaru, ensuring optimal handling and traction. Over time, the DCCD wears out due to constant mechanical stress and heat generated during driving, particularly in high-performance scenarios. Regularly overhauling your DCCD is vital to maintaining peak performance and handling.

A DCCD rebuild is more of a maintenance task than an upgrade, but if you’re pushing your car as hard as a pro rally driver, you’ll want to overhaul this part regularly. This maintenance ensures your Subaru remains at its full potential, providing the grip you need when navigating those sharp corners.

  • 5 Signs It’s Time to Overhaul Your DCCD

Here are five signs that indicate it might be time to overhaul your DCCD:

  1. Unusual Noises
    • Grinding, clunking, or whining noises coming from the center of the vehicle can signal worn or damaged DCCD components.
  2. Leaking Fluid
    • Any signs of fluid leakage from the DCCD area may indicate seal or internal component failure.
  3. Burning Smell
    • An overheating DCCD can emit a sweet burnt smell, similar to a burnt wet clutch.

These first three signs are noticeable through sensory cues – hearing, sight, and smell. The following two are performance-related:

  1. Traction Difficulties
    • Difficulty maintaining traction, especially in varied driving conditions (wet, dry, gravel, etc.), may suggest that the DCCD is not distributing torque correctly.
  2. Erratic Behavior
    • Inconsistent or unpredictable handling, particularly during cornering or in different driving conditions, can indicate that the DCCD is not functioning properly.
  • Installation of the DCCD Rebuild Kit

For optimal results, we recommend having the DCCD rebuild kit installed by a certified Subaru technician. Additionally, it’s a good idea to address other surrounding parts, such as seals and bearings, during the overhaul. These parts, though not included in the kit, can benefit from a refresh at the same time.

  • Recap and Conclusion

To sum it up, here are the five signs that indicate it’s time to overhaul your DCCD:

  1. You Hear Noises: Grinding, clunking, or whining from the center of the car.
  2. You See Leaking Fluid: Fluid leakage from the DCCD area.
  3. You Smell a Sweet Burnt Smell: Especially when the DCCD is overheating.
  4. You Feel Traction Difficulties: Struggling with traction in varied driving conditions.
  5. You Experience Erratic Behavior: Inconsistent handling during cornering or different driving conditions.

By addressing these issues, you’ll ensure your Subaru WRX STI remains in top condition, providing the performance and reliability you expect.

Let us know if this information was helpful or if you have any questions. And, of course, if you’re ready to overhaul your DCCD, email us or visit the MooreSport  Shop to get your DCCD rebuild kit today.