[QUOTE=bigdog;242948 Do all AWD systems work in the same manner, not just Subaru?
[/QUOTE]
There are literally about 30 different kinds of AWD/4WD setups these days. And yes, some of them are very particular.
I'm not familiar with the Subaru setup, so I can't comment about that specific arrangement, but I've heard of other people run into similar issues to what you describe with other vehicles.
Here is some fun reading on AWD systems:
http://www.reddit.com/r/cars/wiki/awd