Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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Comments

  • russskirussski Member Posts: 47
    Just Thought taht this link will help some of you to understand a few issues (for exemple: how Hill Holder Works,...etc)

    Vitaly
  • russskirussski Member Posts: 47
    Oops,

    Here is a link

    http://www.endwrench.com/pages/home.html

    Vitaly
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    Thanks! I need to find that reference and send it to the guys at work. You would think that something this important would be prominently displayed in the Owners Manual.

    The other members of the 'work club' have, I believe, open diffs front and rear: one '99 Forester S, two '99 OBW's, one '02 WRX. I am the only one with a rear LSD.

    Steve
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    IIRC, the following have viscous rear LSD:

    '00 Outback w/ AWP
    '01-'03 Outback except VDC model
    '01-'03 Legacy GT (maybe '00)
    '00-'01 Imprezza RS (maybe '99)
    '02-'03 WRX
    '01-'02 Forester S (maybe '99 & '00 S)
    '03 Forester XS

    The following had a mechanical (clutch plate) rear LSD:

    - some (maybe all) years of Legacy Turbo ('92-'94?)
    - RX turbo and GL-10 Turbo (not sure what years but I know my '89 GL-10 Turbo had one).
    - SVX??

    DaveM
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    I have been on this board a while (though not as long as others), and have never heard of a computer problem relating to the engine missing badly in a WRX.

    Have heard of not screwing the gas-cap in tight enough resulting in the check engine light comming on though. I also know the WRX has a rough idle compared to other cars.
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    The SVX used a viscous rear LSD, and the 1999 2.5RS did not have one. (I owned one!)

    Sure about the Legacy Turbo using a mechanical clutch-type?

    -Colin
  • steveylinsteveylin Member Posts: 7
    I'm trying to replace the cabin air filter under the glove box on my 2001 Forester. I opened the cover following the manual instructions, but I can't remove the filter. It seems to be stuck. Does anyone have any suggestion? or should I just take it to a dealer?
    cheers,
    Steve
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The VDC models should turn off the VDC function when running the spare, cause the VDC function essentially makes the front and rear have LSDs on it.

    SVX is viscous as colin said, as was the XT6 rear LSD (optional on the XT6) I'm pretty sure the legacy turbos were viscous but not positive.

    -mike
  • dcm61dcm61 Member Posts: 1,567
    I did a little more research and found some corrections. Also, thanks to Colin and Mike for their corrections.

    The following US models have viscous rear LSD:

    '00 Outback w/ AWP
    '01-'03 Outback except VDC model
    '00-'02 Legacy GT
    '03 Legacy 2.5GT
    '00-'01 Impreza 2.5RS
    '02-'03 WRX
    '00-'02 Forester S
    '03 Forester XS
    '92-'97 SVX
    '91-'94 Legacy Turbo (Sport Sedan & Touring Wagon) - may be year, model or transmission specific.

    '89 RX Turbo & GL-10 Turbo Full Time 4WD - 5 speed only - not sure if clutch type or viscous.

    I think I got it right this time. At least I spelled Impreza correctly this time.

    Mike - maybe this is another item for the FAQ site.

    -DaveM
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    To the person that had problems reading the dipstick - this is a known issue, due to the odd shape of the dipstick, it is tough to read. Call me lazy, but I just have the person at the oil-change place tell me if the oil seems to be leaking or not.

    With the metallic - tinny rattle that I heard from my stereo that I posted earlier, I finally located it. It was not a blown speaker or bad reception, but the speaker cover for the subwoofer. Aparently, at certain frequencies and certain volumes, it vibrates. It does not happen all the time, just on occasion, and this is why. I was able to find a spot where a Styxs greatest hits plays where it rattles. Will be bringing it in when I get my clutch replaced.

    Thank you for the suggestions and help though!
  • forestergumpforestergump Member Posts: 119
    Wouldn't it just be cheaper to stop playing Styx? He, he, sorry, couldn't resist. Styx played at my wife's senior high school prom in suburban Chicago.

    -Bob
  • kevin111kevin111 Member Posts: 991
    :-)
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    So I have to add my friends '02 WRX to the list that might have to do a 'field rotation' to insure that the doughnut spare ends up in front.

    Again, to preserve the mechanical integrity of that expensive center diff, & in some cases the rear diff (and not to mention the possible warranty expense to Subaru), you would think they would publicize this information better?

    Steve
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
    Does this mean that all of the models you listed above require the donut on the front axle?
    Ron
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    That would be my interpretation. Insertion of the FWD fuse will disengage the center diff, so that will no longer be fighting a front to rear rotational speed difference. But you cannot control the rear lsd attempt to force different sized left and right rear tires to rotate at the same speed. So to save wear and overheating, I would put the doughnut on the front (open diff).

    Steve
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I wonder how the VDC first model year deals with this???

    -mike
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    The irony of this might be lost on you unless you live in the NE and enjoyed the snowfall on Sunday! But the calendar says it is Spring, so back to the RE-92's....

    While I was there, I did some maintenance items. '02 OBW w/ 13.7k miles:

    1) Checked brakes. Pads still look like new all around. No grooves in the rotors. I was going to pull the calipers and clean everything, but didn't have any high temp grease for the pins. And with more salt dumped on the roads, I think I will wait a few weeks, then do a thorough PM. I also thought about adjusting the parking brake mini shoes, but was not sure if I could really 'feel' the drag point or not. This was easy to do on my old Camry (FWD) as there was no mass attached to the rear hubs. I am a bit stumped with AWD as there is a lot of rotating mass there. The hand brake seems to work fine, so maybe I will leave it alone for now...

    2) All boots (CV and steering) and ball joint covers look good. Noticed some dampness (maybe tranny fluid) on the inboard (green painted) half shaft on the passengers side. This is right above the exhaust, so might be one of the sources of the famous "Subaru Burning Smell"?

    3) Exhaust shields are all tight, although the hardware already looks severely rusted. I foresee shield vibration noise in my future....

    4) Carefully lubed all of the suspension linkages and bushings with spray lithium grease. Note to all - cover the brakes when you work with spray lubes!

    5) Cleaned the wheels and waxed inside and out. Rotated the RE-92's (positions marked when I took them off last Fall), adj tire pressure.

    6) Replaced the air filter last week. Checked hoses, belts, & fluid levels. Topped off the coolant (down just a fraction). Took off the winter wiper blades.

    Now some questions:

    1) In the past I used my floor jack at the side sill points, but this time I wanted to lift each end at once. I looked at my friends Forrester Shop Manual. In front I used the brace under the engine just ahead of the exhaust "Y". But I was confused about the back. Actually on the differential housing (wider rear portion - which I did), or on the cross brace towards the front of it???

    2) My Dunlop snows are directional tires, so they have to stay on the same side, but the OEM Bridgestones are not. The owners manual specifically says rotate front to rear only - DO NOT switch sides. Any thoughts? Unless the tread pattern dictates, modern radial construction should not prevent cross-rotation. I went front to rear, but want to cross rotate to even tire wear in the future.

    Steve
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Steve,

    I read that bit in my '99 Impreza manual as well and rotated side-to-side when the tires permitted anyway.

    No problems.

    Not sure what that clause is in there for...

    -Colin
  • rangerron7rangerron7 Member Posts: 317
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    When I got my new '01 Forester. I was surprised (and a little disappointed) to see the front to rear rotation pattern they specified, so I decided to do it my way instead. I rotate front to rear on the same side, and the rears to the front on the opposite side. I rotate every 5K miles and maintain 32 PSI all around. I check air pressures weekly. I currently have 56K miles on the same Yoko Geos it came with. During my last rotation a few weeks ago, I measured tread depth, and found it to be between 4/32" and 5/32". They have all worn evenly, and I am very pleased with them in that regard. (I intend to replace them at 60K, and have ordered a set of Continentals from Tire Rack.) My .02 on the subject.

    Len
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Steve,

    Nice write-up. Non-directional tires can most definetly be cross rotated on our vehicles.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Steve: if it's the same as the one on my '98, it should slide straight down and out, after you remove the cover and rubber seal/gasket. Is it jammed? It would be hard to get out if that's the case.

    -juice
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    After having problems with two different sets of Continentals I would not have another set for free.

    First I had problems with belts shifting on two different tires, the place that supplied them then agreed to replace all 4 tires, well after several months two of the new set got flat spots.

    At first they tried to claim that I had bent rims they tried God knows how many times to balance them, I just went in one day and flat through a fit and made them take all tires off and then check my rims for problems.

    Needless to say there was nothing wrong with my rims, I them made them install Goodrich Radial TAs. these by the way were on a Toyota Corolla that I owned at the time.

      BTW the continentals were sport contacts.

      Cheers Pat.
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Anyone have any suggestions where I can get a replacement grill for my OB? Someone was nice enough to back into the front of my car cracking the emblem and grill area, as well as "dimpling" the hood.

    Mark
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    I had a strange thing happen when I started my Forester this morning. I turned the engine over as normal and the tach rose to it's normal 2500rpm. The idle immediately became rough and the engine slowly dipped to 1500rpm and conked out. The Forester lurched forward just a bit when the engine stopped even though I was in neutral w/clutch out.

    Puzzled, I waited a second, restarted and this time the engine RPMs dipped back down to 1500RPM and sort of bounced around in a rough idle. I let it sit for a few minutes and everything seemed fine afterwards.

    Strange.

    Ken
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    I would contact Pat. He has a talent for, among other things, custom made Subaru grills!

    Steve
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Ken,

    since they just worked on the exhaust I might initially suspect an oxygen sensor problem if the behavior continues.

    did you notice anything else? any driveability problems, noises or smells on the way to work?

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Or check if there were any rodents under the hood, like WDB had once. Remember? :-)

    Mark: try parts@libertysubaru.com for the cheapest prices I've seen. Or sure, get crafty like Pat did. Check the photos section, IIRC, he shared pics.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Too bad you don't know who it is!

    We could pay him a visit with my new front bumper..

    image

    image


    Hee Hee

    -mike
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Mike,

    I suspect who it is, but no proof. It was at the park-n-ride in South Beach. I think it was a Chevy Suburban.

    Mark
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Mark-
    point it out, and mike might unsuspectingly "oops I should have reversed instead of drive forward". ;-)

    -Dave
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I hear those rear doors are a PITA to get re-done after an ARB whacks em, hee hee :)

    -mike
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Colin,

    Is there an O2 sensor in the exhaust?

    No, nothing strange after that intial startup issue. In fact, the Forester ran fine the few days immediately after the repair.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Give the fuel pump time to prime up the pressure. In fact, turn the key and listen until the "whirrrr" stops, then crank her up.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    ken--

    yeah there's one in the right hand header before the Y-pipe --certainly the area being worked on-- and also one after the catalytic converter. the first one is used for the fuel mapping, the second only for EPA regs (evaluating catalyst efficiency)

    -Colin
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    This was my solution to a damaged griil Mark,I have since replaced it with a 2003 OEM grill but my homemade looked good enough to have stayed there.

    You may have to join imagestation to view the album but membership is free.

      Cheers Pat.

    image
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    juice -- Thanks for the tip. Been doing that for a while now.

    Colin -- I didn't know that and it makes a lot of sense. If it persists, I'll be able to give the techs a start.

    Ken
  • bkaiser1bkaiser1 Member Posts: 464
    Must have been the same person who backed into my 01 Outback last Friday...I came out of my office to find a chunk out of my bumper and my grill cracked from someone backing into my car. The bumper was scuffed up from where the other person's bumper rode up and over mine before stopping in my grill. Nice.

    Anyway, I checked 1stsubaruparts.com for a grill and I think they were running around $100 (?) for a replacement...whatever the price was, it was more than I felt like shelling out at the moment and I didn't order it. The dealer quoted me something like $160 for the part.

    Brian
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    ken, when diagnosing a problem it's good to cover the bases of what changed recently, yes...

    but your problem could definitely be unrelated. very mysterious at this point, just one bad start.

    -Colin
  • leo2633leo2633 Member Posts: 589
    Thanks for the input on the Continentals. The ones I ordered are the ContiExtremeContacts. They've gotten great reviews on Tire Rack's website, including two Subaru's. I hope they'll give the kind of life I've gotten from the Yokos. Ironically, the Contis are directional, so they can only be rotated front to rear, something I wish I didn't have to do. I've considered going with another set of Geolander's but I want something a little better in the wet, and the Conti's look great in that respect. We shall see. I'll post some results once I get a few miles on them.

    Len
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Pat,

    I took a look at your homemade grill. Nice job- a little different from the original, yet not enough to be "off". Something to consider.

    Brian- I did not receive any bumper damage (although my license plate was partially bent), but otherwise sounds similar to you. I'll check out 1stsubaruparts as well as liberty parts and see what the cost is. I wonder if I could use my Subaru bucks at Liberty towards the grill.

    Mike/Dave - I have to admit the next day I was tempted to pull a "Brooklyn move" and leave the gentleman with a "low" tire or two, but then I thought it's not worth it, especially if I'm not sure if he is the correct person.
        What a differnec from years ago when I visited Virgina Beach overnight. Somebody broke my drivers side mirror in the middle of the night while I was at the hotel. When I came out the next morning, the person left their insurance info and telephone number, along with an apology on my windshield. Live and learn. I now make sure I park head first facing another parked car, not a truck.

    Mark
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Sorry to hear about your damage! Liberty does indeed take SubaruBucks. Just mention it when you order. I sent them an e-mail with an order recently, and then mailed in my coupon (they want you to write the VIN on it). As soon as they got the coupon, they billed my credit card for the balance and then shipped out my order.

    Craig
  • fibber2fibber2 Member Posts: 3,786
    OK, crew, we settled on the procedure and safeguards for use of the FWD fuse and all agree to put the doughnut spare on the front when faced with a rear LSD. So now my friend with the manual tranny '02 WRX asks, "What do I do??"

    Good question, as the WRX has a rear LSD, but a fixed mechanical (no electric shut off) center diff. Putting the doughnut on the front saves the rear LSD from wear, but you cannot stop the center diff from fighting the 'front to rear' difference. Any thoughts??

    Steve
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I think that the center diffy should be ok so long as it's not a prolonged ride. The ATs may be more sensative due to the electrical sensors and clutchpacks rather than the viscous of the MT center diffy.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    SubaruBucks are supposedly like cash at any Subaru dealer.

    The center viscous coupling should allow for small differences in rolling diameter. Think about a U-turn, compare the front outside tire to the rear inside tire, the outer tire probably travels twice as far.

    Plus, the spare is limited to, what, 50 miles of driving?

    -juice
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    They're so cheap because they have extremely high prices on service. A friend of mine went there for his 3,750 and 7,500 and was charged over $90!

    -Dennis
  • hondafriekhondafriek Member Posts: 2,984
    A new grill with emblem cost me $345CDN. with taxes.

     Cheers Pat.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's about two bucks US. ;-)

    -juice
  • bat1161bat1161 Member Posts: 1,784
    Just checked with Flemington Parts to get an idea how much it lists for = $154.75 for a new grill.

    Mark
  • idahodougidahodoug Member Posts: 537
    I don't think you need worry about where you put the spare for the trip to a tire shop. Rear LSD's can handle some speed differential without even engaging. It is a "street LSD" after all, which will be open enough for normal driving without chirping the tires on turns, U turns and long freeway curves, etc. I would not worry about it at all.

    I've also driven over 100 miles with the FWD fuse in place just out of curiousity, so it's not a fragile system.

    The manual models with the viscous center diff can handle it as well. In addition, the front and rear rotation differential would be half the side to side rotational differential due to the physics of the system.

    I have no info on the VDC, but that would be interesting to hear. Anyone?

    IdahoDoug
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