Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

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Comments

  • twinrottstwinrotts Member Posts: 161
    The locks on my 96 Legacy GT have bit the dust.

    Started as an intermittent problem, but now they do not work at all. Can someone provide some trouble shooting advice?

    Also how do you remove the interior panels without damaging them?
  • terumi1terumi1 Member Posts: 130
    Excellent posts. I too, wish that the answer were easy.

     

    BTW..when you say specialty alignment shop...are you talking about the big chains (pep boys, etc...), or do you have specific shops that only specialize in alignments in your area?
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    I personally would use a specialty shop first, and maybe a tire chain such as NTB second. They seem to have better equipment and training. Not so sure about PEP Boys. As for a big chain like Sears .... not in this life!
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I have gotten good alignments from Firestone.

     

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    On my '98 Forester, the speaker covers pop off easily. Then you can probably see where all the retaining clips are on the door panel. Start there.

     

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Not to cross-post, but I just returned from a speciality alignment shop to find that my GT wagon's front caster is off enough to cause a slight right pull. It confirmed my suspicion that something wasn't completely right.

     

    I'm going to give the dealer a call to see what can be done -- it's a non-adjustable setting.

     

    Ken
  • babe915babe915 Member Posts: 34
    I think you mean it drifts to the right not pull

     which happens when you hit the brakes. my oB

    drifts to the right ever since i got it. dealer

    says it is within specs and there is very little

    adjustment they can make which they did but it

    still has a small amount of drift. rotated the tires around also helped. Shop advisor told me there is a special bolt kit to increase the adjustment but it is something that you may have to pay for if you request it
  • sos03sos03 Member Posts: 6
    Hello, hope you can help. I have a troublesome VDC Outback Wagon (2003). In the past month the Throttle Control Sensor and the Drive Belt have both failed and been replaced. My car is difficult to start from a cold start. The Big, Big problems are that after warming up normally, the engine temperature begins to drop after about 20 minutes of driving and continues to drop. Concurrent (though perhaps not related) with the temperature drop is intermittent lack of acceleration - very unnerving at left turns in particular. The dealer says cannot duplicate. As this happens every time I drive the car, I'm hoping someone has had similar problems that have been resolved. Thank you.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yes, I meant drift, not pull. Basically, a vehicle will tend to drift towards the side with less caster.

     

    The specs for caster apparently are not very detailed -- I had my local dealer look them up.

     

    Tire rotation basically allows the radial tire pull force to cancel out any small alignment offset.

     

    Do you know more about this bolt kit?

     

    Ken
  • babe915babe915 Member Posts: 34
    you should ask your dealer about the bolt kit

    for your car, they would know about it [hopefully]

    my dealer is in sarasota fl. when i go for my

    next oil change i will see if they can give me

    a part no# for it and i will let you know if your

    dealer can't help you
  • orangelebaronorangelebaron Member Posts: 435
    Anyone here get a plasticky sounding clicking noise only when stepping on the gas (at low speeds) in an '05 Outback? It seems to only happen when it's cold outside and it's intermittent...seems to come from under the car.

    Also, when it is cold out and the car is cold, it seems to have trouble shifting or getting the transmission fluid flowing until I've gone a few blocks. Is this normal for this car?
  • jay_24jay_24 Member Posts: 536
    Haven't heard the clicking noise but I do agree with the cold and tranny fluid. Although it might also have to do with the AWD and fluids involved there too. I don't have problems shifting other than The subie will hold a gear a bit longer than normal and it may take 5 minutes of driving before the torque converter will lock when crusing down the interstate. I consider it normal for the car.
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Thanks, I would appreciate if you could find out more on your end. I'll check with my dealer too.

     

    Ken
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    By any chance, do you have an automatic transmission?

     

    On my Legacy GT 5EAT, the shift lock mechanism engages and disengages right around when one is coming to a stop. It's a plastic tab that pops in and out to prevent selecting a different gear before the vehicle has come to complete stop.

     

    The sound comes from right inside the center console and is a hard plastic-on-plastic "click". I had my dealer look at it and apparently, Subaru changed the design with the 05s.

     

    I wouldn't be surprised if the 4EAT also had a similar feature as well.

     

    Ken
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    When cold, the transmission delays shifts to help the transmission fluid warm up quicker. It's an intended feature. You're either perceptive or have car-based obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) like the rest of us Subaru nerds!

     

    Craig
  • catleyscatleys Member Posts: 2
    We have an '05 Outback Wagon with just over 6K miles. The crusise control pulastes in an extremely annoying way?? Had it at the dealer yesterday and was basically told that Subaru knows of the problem, has not identified the cause, thus has no prescribed fix, and simply put 'live with it!'. Can any other '05 Outback/Outback Wagon owners tell me if they have the same problem, or don't have such an annoying crusise contrrol performance etc.? The dealer service tech drove my vehicle, confirmed the obvious that yes, in fact, the customer is correct, then went and drove a new one and it too had the same annoying cruise control symptom(s). He called Subaru who he said told him 'we're aware of the problem, but have no fix'. So any insight to shed from the synergy on this board? Thanks in advance!!! Happy Holidays to all!!
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    The cruise control on my OBXT works perfectly. In fact, I think it is the smoothest and most precise cruise control I've ever owned.

     

    Sly
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    The cruise control on my 2005 Legacy GT wagon seems to work fine.

     

    Can you describe the pulsating in more detail?

     

    Just in case, I'd call 1-800-SUBARU3 and set up a case number. By setting up a case, you'll be sure Subaru knows that it's a problem, and if there is a fix in the works, you'll be notified when it's made available.

     

    Ken
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    My cruise is fine too, 05 OB XT.

     

    Craig
  • rwoodsrwoods Member Posts: 129
    My OB XT '05's cruise control worked brilliantly on a long trip to Florida from NY.
  • grahampetersgrahampeters Member Posts: 1,786
    G'day

     

    When I ac quired my 99 Outback, I had a similar problem. The throttle tended to jolt badly, particularly when going from idle throttle to power, for example after long downhill run on Freeway followed by shift to uphill.

     

    Subaru replaced the ECU but the problem persisted. They the suggested using Premium unleaded fuel. This largely solved the problem.

     

    Subarus use an adaptive learning pattern in their ECU, meaning that if the engine has been run on very light throttle for a sustained period, the engine tends to lean out. At the extreme, for example after running for ten minutes or so with little throttle application, this becomes so lean that the introduction of even a minimal throttle introduces a comparatively large volume of fuel, resulting in a signifaicnt jolt. This can lead to a repetition of the cycle.

     

    One short term fix is to accelerate very hard through the gears for a couple of cycles. This changes the ECU mapping. Incidentaly, it also changes the whole way the throttle responds, seeming to give the car an instant tune up.

     

    Longer term, the use of Premium Unleaded fuels seems to be the best fix. It has the side benefit of improving economy by 5-10% and removing a lot of the gumming to injectors and valves which seems to be common to fuel injected cars. I know you can get Optimax gold in Canada and suspect there will be other equivalents available in the USA

     

    Cheers

     

    Graham
  • will5will5 Member Posts: 7
    My OB has 1500 miles on it. When first bought, car would stink like sulphur some when driven hard. I figured that would go away since new cars often have to burn some crap off / coatings. 1500 miles in though and if shifting a lot or driving hard, the smell is strong. Any advice? I am not very technical (obviously!).
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Other people have reported this as well, so it seems to be a problem! I beleive it is one of the cats. Best thing to do is call the Subaru 1-800 number to get this on record and let them know there is one more car with the problem. Then see where to go from there.

     

    Craig
  • orangelebaronorangelebaron Member Posts: 435
    ... it can't be a shift lock mechanism tab.... it's when I'm accelerating, not stopping... and it's a continual clicking... kind of like that child's toy on wheels that's pushed on a stick, when my foot is on the gas. It's annoying.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    You should get it checked out -- could be something caught in the brakes/wheels or rubbing against a shaft somewhere.

     

    Craig
  • gxb159gxb159 Member Posts: 46
    On my 05 OB 2.5i, the cruise pulsates going down a mountain. Only on long decents do I feel it. Otherwise on the flat and uphill it is good.
  • mxermxer Member Posts: 4
    I have a 97 Automatic Subaru Outback and when the weather gets cold, it sticks in park. If I keep clicking the button in on the shifter, after awhile it will release and allow me to shift into gear. I can hear a solenoid or something when I push the button, but it just doesn't want to release. Is there an easy fix?
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Do you use the parking brake? I am wondering if you are putting pressure on the park pin which is making it hard to get out of park. Best thing to do is step on the brake, slide the shifter into park, and then set the parking brake. If you just slide it into park and then the car rolls a bit, it can make it tough to shift back out of park later on.

     

    Of course, with any auto trans problems, I would say to check your fluid condition and level.

     

    Craig
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Craig, I usually reverse your last two steps... I bring my truck to a stop with the regular brakes, set the parking brake, release the brake pedal, let the truck settle (the parking brake should hold the vehicle in gear), THEN shift to Park as the last step. This ensures the vehicle has come to a complete stop and will not re-settle or roll before Park is engaged.

     

    kcram

    Host - Wagons
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    I usually just make sure I'm in first before I set the parking brake. Never had a problem in the morning :)

     

    Sorry, couldn't resist.

     

    Sly
  • jnr1675jnr1675 Member Posts: 5
    Hi, I recently noticed a noise coming from the front driver's side tire/wheel area on my 01 Legacy wagon. Sounds like something is rubbing on the car or hitting the pavement as the tire rotates (slows when I slow and speeds up when I speed up.) There's nothing in the tire, no rocks, no contact that I can see. It comes and goes. I first noticed it soon after the 90K service, which included tire rotation and 4 way alignment. It went away for a few days, but it's back. It's not very loud... I have to roll the window down to hear it. I'll remove the hubcap and see if that has anything to do with it. Any other ideas? I wouldn't be so worried, except that I'm leaving for a cross-country trip soon. Thank you!
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Does tapping on the brakes have any effect on the noise?

     

    Craig
  • orangelebaronorangelebaron Member Posts: 435
    Thanks, Craig...didn't hear any clicking today... a different issue!

    Now that we have the deep freeze (NY)... I got to enjoy all the heated things....seats (too hot at lowest setting!), mirrors, wiper blade rests...

    Here's the ironic part:

    Even with all the heated things on this car, I could NOT clean my windshield today because the nozzles were frozen at 16°F until the temp went up to 25°F this afternoon. The one thing that really needed to be heated (the nozzles) are not.

    Why they are frozen... I don't know!!! I haven't added any fluid, so I suspect either the assembly line put in substandard fluid or MUCH MORE likely, the dealership watered down the fluid when I got my oil changed 2 weeks ago.

    I am going to call the dealership tomorrow and ask them if they are adding water to people's washer fluid. Of course they will say no. I know of a Volvo dealership that would do this to my friend's car and a few other people in the waiting room had the same complaint of frozen wiper nozzles.

     

    So... people make sure your service department is putting in the best, undiluted fluid, because... once it's frozen you have to either thaw it yourself, wait till it warms up outside, go back to the dealership...or pour the fluid directly on the windshield!
  • ttenragttenrag Member Posts: 38
    I have a 2005 Outback 2.5i that has only 350 miles on it (i have had it for a week). I love everything about the car except that my seat is terribly uncomfortable. My back is killing me now, and I realized that the lower back part of the seat is not very firm or plush....not nearly like the passenger seat. Do you guys think this is a problem with my seat, or are Outback seats uncomfortable to begin with?

     

    BTW...I also get a small popping noise from the back of my seat (like a spring or wire making a noise). Maybe this has something to do with my discomfort.
  • orangelebaronorangelebaron Member Posts: 435
    Yes... they are very hard seats. And the side bolsters are very intrusive. And the brake peddle is a little too far to the left, and for me, the steering wheel is a bit too far away. But bear with it... you may adapt after a couple thousand miles. Some people have resorted to foam pads.

    Subaru has never been known for great seats like Volvo or even Volkswagen.... they have always seemed overly hard to me...but I bought one anyway... When I test drove the Ltd, the leather driver's seat seemed much better than the older model, or the cloth of the new one. But after 20 minutes of picking it up I was in pain. Part of the problem is that the thigh support is too hard and pushes into the underside of the leg. The right bolster pushes agressively into my hip, causing my lower body to shift to the left. The base of the driveshaft tunnel causes the heel of my foot to rest at an angle, twisting my leg.

     

    But I've driven it 3600 miles so far, so... while it's at times uncomfortable.. I guess it could be worse. I also noticed that the passenger side has hardly any space for tall people to put their feet or stretch out their legs because the firewall may be closer than the driver's side and the ductwork is too low.

    I'm 5'11" with 11.5 shoes by the way.

     

    For now, I would fiddle with the power seat controls until you get more comfortable.. maybe after a few weks it won't be so bad... but I do sympathize with you. You should write Subaru and let them know how you feel.

    I did.

     

    Oh and another thing... if the cloth seats have a lumbar support... have you tried using that for your lower back?
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Well, I rode in my Outback's passenger seat for the first time tonight while my wife drove, and it feels pretty much like the driver's seat to me, just higher (we have an XT so the seats may be different than yours). If there is a noticeable difference between the driver and passenger seat, there may be a problem. Other people (various cars) have had luck with getting their car seats customized with different foam or have gotten special cushions, so keep that in mind too if it turns out the seat is OK.

     

    I find the 05 seats to be pretty comfortable, but other people do not. So it is not surprising to hear your post. Clearly the seats do not fit everyone well.

     

    Craig
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    My nozzles sprayed OK this morning when it was 17 F here (in Virginia no less!) but the excess spray froze on the edge of the windshield. This is the stuff they put in at the factory/dealer, since I have not added any. So I would second the notion that they are using low-quality fluid and not a true winter blend. I can't ever remember having seen true anti-freeze washer fluid freeze on the windshield before!

     

    Craig
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    Yep, there is nothing wrong with the spray nozzles. Mine worked fine in a record setting -30C (-22F) this morning. But I did fill the tank with -40 windshield washer.

     

    Sly
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,728
    Aw... I'm so jealous, Sly! We've only seen two days below -30C this winter.... Currently we are enjoying a balmy -15C (+5F) and have been for nearly 2 months now. Looks like it could take a dive later on this week, but -30C is average for this time of year so I guess we cannot expect to be cradled like babes the whole winter!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • hilberthilbert Member Posts: 103
    Same here. Nothing wrong with the spray nozzles. But as Craig said, the excess froze on the windshield. I guess the best way to avoid having your dealer put anything substandard is to bring the reservoir to full before you go to him for any work.
  • ladywclassladywclass Member Posts: 1,713
    I notice on 'longer' distances that I'm not as comfortable in the passenger side as the driver's side in my 2001 Outback ... I'm 5'7" but I wear a 33-34" inseam .. so I have long legs!
  • rob_mrob_m Member Posts: 820
    I guess the best way to avoid having your dealer put anything substandard is to bring the reservoir to full before you go to him for any work

     

    You beat me to it, Hilbert. All winter I use the Prestone antifreeze window washer with no problems. I always top off the resevoir before sending the car in for service. It's a balmy 2 degrees north of Boston this morning. Rob M.
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    "Aw... I'm so jealous, Sly! We've only seen two days below -30C this winter...."

     

    -30C was a record smashing low for a December 20th here. The previous record for that date was -14C!

     

    I hope this is not an indication of what this winter is going to be like for us...

     

    Sly
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Does anyone have any suggestions on how to switch washer fluid? I picked up the Rain-X fluid to use for the winter and wanted to switch from the normal.

     

    Mark
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    use the old one by washing the windshield more often.

    Does anybody have better suggestion ?

     

    Krzys
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    If you have a plastic tube, you should be able to syphon it back into a container.

     

    If not, just use a lot of it until you get the level down to about one quarter or less, then just fill it back up with the new stuff.

     

    Sly
  • rwoodsrwoods Member Posts: 129
    I own an '05 OB XT Ltd wagon. I'm 5'10", weigh 160 lbs. and find the driver seat to be fine. It is firm, easily adjustable, nicely bolstered. Is it as comfortable as my Lexus GS430? No. Is it as comfortable as my previous Volvo? No. But it does beat my wife's Audi A4 which I find hard to get into. The Subaru is easy to get in and out of. This is my two cents.

     

    Bob
  • sdufordsduford Member Posts: 577
    I'm 5'10" 200 Lbs and I do find the seat bottoms too hard and too narrow. So does my wife and she's 5'7" and 125 lbs.

     

    They are fine on short trips, but for 2 hours + they are not anywhere near comfortable enough.

     

    I am trying to find a shop that can add some softer foam to the seat bottoms, only half an inch would probably make a huge difference.

     

    Sly
  • jnr1675jnr1675 Member Posts: 5
    Looks like the hub cap might have been the source of the sound... I'll give it a few days.
  • jnr1675jnr1675 Member Posts: 5
    I'm going to be driving cross-country with a lot of stuff in the back of my 01 wagon... I'll probably have to have the rear seats folded down. Any recommendations for securing my things, to add a little protection to me and my passenger in the event of an accident? Thanks so much!
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