Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    Why I hate lifetime warranty pads - -

    Some independent shops offer this wonderful lure to their shops. The problem is that the pads are VERY hard (to increase life span) but they really wear on the rotors (90 days??).

    If the rotors have been turned once, they should probably be replaced. Also, we found that using an off the car machine to turn the rotors causes a cut that is not as "true".

    When I was in brake training class, the Pro-cut Machine (on the car lathe) did a great job.

    Just my thoughts -

    Patti
  • mav61mav61 Member Posts: 8
    Wow, that would be really interesting if the problem was truly the result of two bad knock sensors. In my case I have actually asked if replacing mine might fix the problem but the dealer dismissed that idea...actually they might have replaced it the day I asked if they had one in stock but it had to be ordered so they decided to blow it off. Im starting to believe my biggest problem may be with this dealership and their local independent technical advisors rather than SOA. With Patti's help, I finally have corporate SOA technical people involved and hopefully I will know something early next week after they gather and review some diagnostic data.
    Thanks for the update....
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's very strange that almost every post '96 subaru I come across seems to have brake noises, quick wearing, etc. I find it amazing that my '97 Rodeo went 120K miles on 1 set of rotors, and only 2 sets of replacement pads, and that they were the ultra cheapo $20 pads from pep-boys. Never had the rotors turned even. My '88 XT6 has also gone at least 26K miles on the same pads and rotors since I only got it at 50K miles, but I'm sure it went at least another 10K before I got it on the same ones (they weren't new when I bought the car)

    Anyone who has seen me drive knows that I am extremely hard on both pedals :)

    -mike
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Hard pads hurt other aspects of the braking system such as rotors and braking performance. They're a sales gimmick. And cutting a rotor in place, exactly where and how it is situated in the vehicle when it is operating, is indeed the best way to get a cut that is "true". It's one of those relative things ;-)

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Patti: nice to see you putting that tech training to work!

    Sorry, lexoman, Quality Subaru went bankrupt and took Darlene's profitable parts business with them. It's a real shame.

    I may be alone but my brakes are great. They never squeek, stop straight, and with 37k they hardly look worn at all.

    -juice
  • megawatt1megawatt1 Member Posts: 16
    Has anyone had experience with front end noise?
    Sounds like something loose, especially noticeable when turning left at 10 - 20 MPH and going over small irregular road surface.
    Dealer has stated that this is normal (something about the steering rack).
    thanks,
    Ralph
  • bluesubiebluesubie Member Posts: 3,497
    Thanks for the info everyone.

    My mistake was going to Meineke in the first place. At the time I wasn't sure the indicators were making noise. It only happened when I pressed the brakes. The brakes were noisy so I thought it was just the "normal" noise. In the past I had two different dealers check them out because they made a grinding/scraping sound. I was told this was normal so when the indicators were noisy, I couldn't really tell a difference.

    I took of the wheels and had a look and discovered there was almost no pad left on the right front, while the left front still looked about half. I couldn't get an appointment at the dealer for over 2 weeks so I went to Meineke.

    paisan - I know what you mean about the Rodeo. My wife always compares her OB to her 95 Rodeo. The only the only thing she did to that was have the rear glass latch adjusted and battery replaced in 4 years. She was thinking about buying her OB at the end of the lease this year, but is kind of having second thoughts. She has more of those "minor niggles" on her car than I do.

    Maybe Subaru and Isuzu should share parts suppliers. After all, aren't they closer cousins since the merger? :-)

    Dennis
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A friend of ours had a Rodeo, and it was generally reliable but the clutch went out at less than 36k, still under warranty, and they wouldn't cover it. That kind of soured him.

    My best man also has one and it's been fine. V6/2WD in Florida. Nice engine, quick even with the automatic.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The rodeo and the legacies come out of the same factory. You'd think that rotors and pads could easily be swapable between the comparably weighted OB and rodeo. In fact I'd like to see the same rotors, brakes, radiators, fans, radios, etc. be shared, that would IMHO help cut the costs on them. I still miss my '97 rodeo. Even though it only had 190hp, it was only 3450lbs and was much more spirited than my trooper, both with A/T.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Actually, given all the criticism over Subaru's brakes (mushy feel, squeeking), I wouldn't mind that at all.

    My buddy's is the 205hp newer one, and his 2WD (RWD to be specific) is the lightest model out there. Pretty peppy.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    They porked up the rodeos something awful, think they are well over 4K now. Checking cars.com as we speak.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    According to cars.com in '97 it was 3800lbs, and in '98 it was 3450, and in '99 it went to 3900lbs and in '96 it was 4100lbs. It could be right, but I'm pretty sure in '98 it gained weight.

    The '97 hit a max speed of 129mph though, which was plenty fast for me.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Maybe that '98 was for 2WD models. I'm sure the equivalent model gained a bit of weight.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Don't rule out the possibility of an overly-optimistic speedometer there, Mike.

    -Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Problem is it was GPS.

    All SUVs cut out at 115max. My fuse for the speedo/odo was blown at the time so I was using my GPS on my laptop to find my way through FLA at the time and that's where I got the 129mph speed from.

    :)

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    Steep downhill, then? ;-)

    -Colin
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Across alligator alley.

    From Fort Lauderdale to Naples (following a 300M and 740il) In my travels to florida during that trip, I think I saw a max of like 10' above sea-level in the whole state :)

    I didn't even realize just how fast I was going til I checked the GPS to see how far it was til I hit Naples. This was during a trip from FLL to Tampa and back in like 8.5-9hrs. I was in a bit of a rush the whole day.

    -mike
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    You must've been drafting pretty well.

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    If you say so, Mike. I am just having trouble making the numbers work... 190HP, typical SUV aerodynamics, ~3900lb vehicle plus passengers and cargo.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Forester actually has better power/weight and only hits 108 mph or so, but gearing would play a big part in top speed.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    IIRC when I looked in my owners manual when I had it, it was 3470 Dry weight. I was the only one in the car and no cargo, new tires though, and no O2 or other sensors in place (the same fuse that ran the odo/speedo also controlled the pollution control stuff)

    190hp, 190 torque I dunno, the truck always felt pepier than the others I drove so maybe there was something screwy with it?

    It was a sustained 129, I may have hit it for like 10 seconds or so.

    -mike
  • vincer2vincer2 Member Posts: 97
    Ralph,
    Last year I had the same problem with my 2000 OB. Several posts in this forum stated their problem had been corrected by having the dealer retorque the stabilizer bar(s). I asked the dealer to do the same to mine and that corrected it. Fortunately this mechanic knew how to use a torque wrench and wasn't the one who went crazy with the air gun when my tires were rotated.
    Vince
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    but gearing would play a big part in top speed.

    Only if the vehicle is bouncing off the rev limiter in top gear or is over-geared so much that it is way below peak torque when acceleration stops (in this case, downshifting to a lower gear WILL result in you finding the vehicle's top speed).

    108 for the Forester is actually pretty darned fast. To go faster, you need more horsepower.

    Mike: nothing you can say will convince me, sorry. We can still be friends though. ;-)

    -Colin
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Yeah, 108 is pretty fast. Never been there myself but have been close -- about 95 or so. By then the boxer is humming away at 4000+RPM and the wind noise is pretty noticeable. I wouldn't see why anyone on a Forester would need to go beyond 108.

    Ken
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    BTW, I haven't been there either. That was C&D's recorded top speed.

    Guess I haven't seen a need to go quite that fast.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I don't blame you. If I hadn't seen the GPS with my own eyes I'd be giving the same comments you are. I tell you one thing, it was not a very stable 129. And I never tried to go that fast again. I do regularly hit 115 with my Trooper on a nice downhill slope up near my house upstate. This summer, I'll try to get my buddy to snap a pic of the speedo :)

    -mike
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    When you get some time, please call us at 1-800-SUBARU3. This is a "normal" characteristic (if it is the noise I think you are referring to). We have some information to explain it (I've posted it before and it's too long). If the Rep. is unsure about it, please just ask them to see me.

    We can also talk to the dealer to see if it can be alleviated any to make it less obvious.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Hi Patti,

    I sent you an e-mail a few days ago updating you on my visit to the dealer to check out the tranny noise(?). Did you get it?
    Unfortunately, the dealer claimed they couldn't duplicate it. Can I keep the case open until my 60K service (coming up soon). I'll probably be going to Santa Cruz Subaru for that.

    Ken
  • sibbaldsibbald Member Posts: 106
    hmm...............
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Just thought I asked y'all guys and gals if y'all have a nose for this.
    The last two months I'm noticing this sulphur odor (faint) coming through the vent, usually immediately after a hard acceleration, and then dissipates. Also, notice the aura of this melodious aroma around the car (in garage) after a, say, 30 in drive @ ~60 mph (occasional 70).
    I discounted the gas theory (4 fresh tanks) however do noticed that the odor is stronger @ 89 octane vs 93 octane (don't know about 87 - never went that low).
    Anyway, I asked CDS @ SoA and was immediately assigned a case# (is this routine?). Guess I'm obliged to take the car in for sniffing.
    Just like to know what y'all know for this.

    TIA for listening and input
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    Sorry but I've never experienced a tuneful smell. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

    Ross
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    :-)
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Mike- Do you really think anyone should be going 115 mph on a public hwy? Imagine what a blowout at that speed would do.

    -Frank P.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    It's a desserted stretch of road, 2 lane blacktop in the mts. in the middle of no-where. A downhill stretch, and I can see all oncoming traffic for 2 miles. I don't whip down the road if there are other cars on it. Yeah a blowout could be dangerous, but so are asteroids... :)

    -mike
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Hi! I didn't get it. Could you please re-send it? Yes, your case will stay on file for 5 years. Your fine waiting 'til your 60K. If it is more evident then, just let us know.

    Thanks!

    Patti
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Yes, it is normal for a CDS Rep. to start a case file for every call. We have to do that to track trends and to report concerns to the Gov't.

    Now, for your "stinkin'" problem. Has a dealer checked it out?

    I had the same problem in my test vehicle and found that it was related to the "brand" of fuel I was using. I stopped using that brand and I haven't had the concern.

    Different fuel manufacturers use different blending processes. Some of these processes result in a nasty odor when the fuel burns off through the catalyst. The more "techie" folks here can probably explain better.

    If your dealer tells you that your catalytic converter is okay, you might want to run 2 or 3 tanks of another brand (not necessarily octane related) through your car.

    Hope this helps!

    Patti
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    DavidC: if 89 stinks less, maybe 87 won't stink at all! ;-)

    I'm not sure, is it a new car? The undercoating burns off slowly and smells just awful. We call it "Subaru new car stench".

    Nope - just checked your profile and it's a 98 or 99.

    -juice
  • francophilefrancophile Member Posts: 667
    Speed Gearing is very important in reaching top speed. For example it is not at all unusual for a car to attain a higher top speed in 4th gear than in 5th; the engine is able to output more power at the higher RPMs of the lower gear, thereby taking the car to a higher speed. However at speeds in the range of 100+ MPH, resistance caused by moving through the air is even more important. Air-induced drag increases with the square of the speed; in English, that means it goes up rilly rilly fast ;-) Stock cars need something like 20 extra HP for every 1 MPH more speed at 200 MPH, and it's all because of drag. So if I were trying to decide if a Rodeo could really do 129 MPH, I'd want to see its drag coefficient.

    Stink A sulfur stink is usually a side effect of fuel. The catalytic converter burns up whatever isn't consumed by combustion, and sometimes that includes sulfur. (In fact there are soon going to be rules requiring that diesel fuel sulfur levels be cut dramatically so that better emission controls can be put on diesel motors.) Try buying gasoline from a different source for a few tanks. If you live in Illinois, especially in the Chicagoland vicinity, you might also try buying gas in a different municipality. No kidding. The fuel mixture is controlled by local regulations there.

    Cheers,
    -wdb
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I believe it's the drag coefficient and the frontal area, but I agree with you.

    -juice
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    If you do start doing some calcs on the 129, it was a '97 Rodeo, 4speed A/T, SOHC V6 190hp 188lbs torque, aprox 3500-3600lbs.

    -mike
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    re: p0926 May 17, 2001 5:08am , high speed on highways...

    Depends on the vehicle; 115 in a Rodeo is way different than 115 in a Corvette.

    Blowouts should be of no more concern than they are at 70 MPH, because that speed is sufficient to do very bad things to the vehicle and occupants if you lost control. You protect against them by inspecting your tires regularly and insuring they are properly inflated. (This is maintenance & repair!) If you do those two small things, blowouts are a very small concern on the highway compared to all the other things you should be worrying about.

    -Colin
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Let's see, at 129mph, if you approach a car going 60mph in the same direction, that's a delta of 69mph. So it would be like two cars coming at each other at 35mph in the same lane!

    I certainly hope you were paying attention!

    -juice
  • locke2clocke2c Member Posts: 5,038
    No juice, it would be much worse. That's a terrible rule of thumb because energy rises exponentially with speed, not linearly. (KE=1/2mv^2)

    Not only would the initial collision be worse, you also have a vehicle that was travelling 129 MPH which probably will bounce off the other vehicle and tumble into something.

    You have to be paying attention at all times driving a car... if you're the person travelling 60 MPH in your example is it OK if you didn't notice the car approaching (granted, at high speed)? Fault is of secondary concern, I'd rather not be hit.

    -Colin
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    I was reading an article in R&T on used NSXs and they advise quick and decisive clutch engagement to prolong life. Is that unique to the NSX or is that a golden rule for any manual tranny?
    BTW, NSXs average 8-12k on a set of tires!
    bit
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Was on a divided highway. The run I do of 115 regularly is a 2 mile stretch of 2-lane blacktop (1 lane in each direction, dashed yellow line down the center)

    -mike
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    Patti, Francophile & juice

    Thanks for the input. Just got back from the dealer service. The tech checked out the car (all appears fine) also suspect it to be fuel related, but will advise me if they churn up anything in the bulletin. I'll try running another brand and see what happens.
    Let me see, I'm usually on Mobil super+, previous 4 fresh tanks were Amoco...not much assortment (Mobils, Amocos and one HESS) in my nabe. Anyone has experience with HESS?

    Patti - which brand were you using and what is it now you're using?

    juice - actually 93 octane stunk less (maybe my imagination) and it is my '98 Outback that's doing it. The '99 Outback Sport is fine. Undercoating? now that you've mentioned it, the '98 does have a layer of black undercoating sprayed on when bought new. Delayed reaction? Or... I might have picked up a dead rodent.

    Thanks again all
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    DOH! Ya see? I told you I'd remember nothing from high school physics!

    Your advice to pay attention reminds me of how great is was to drive in Texas. Slower moving trucks would move right over onto the shoulder and let you pass, it was amazing. Courteous and safe, the way it should be.

    DavidC (have to be specific with all the Daves around here): could it also be a dirty undercarraige? The stuff they use around here to melt ice stinks big time. Get her up on ramps and hose off the undercarriage.

    -juice
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    The car is due for a bath and a new layer of polish. See what happens. Want to wait for the temp. to go 70 deg F's don't like washing car @ ~60 deg F's ...‡°?

    Cheers
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Colin- The tire blowout was just the 1st scenario that sprang to mind. There are any number of bad things that can happen at those speeds. And while I agree that a Corvette is better equipped to handle such speed, I don't feel it's safe for any vehicle to travel that fast on a public hwy. You can be the best driver in the world but it won't help you if you're doing 115 mph and a little old granny in her 1980 caddy pulls out in front of you. As the car ad disclaimers always say "closed course/professional driver".

    -Frank P.
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    Well, it's probably not good for me to say which fuel I won't use, but you have it on your list and it starts with "M"??? I'm running on one starting with an "S" and ending in an "O" and I'm not having any "stinky" issues.

    Anyone else that wants to help interpret - feel free!!!

    Patti
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