shortlid Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 I don't have a lift and I can't store ramps in my apartment. I can use the loading ramp and warehouse at my company at night so I can stay warm and dry. I need to do AT drin and fill on my '98 Legacy L wagon with 4EAT. Has anyone of decent size been able to squease under a L and get to the drian plug?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outback_97 Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 shortlid: I got to mine very easily from the driver's side, behind the front tire IIRC, but mine's an Outback. Don't know how much difference the slightly higher OB clearance makes. Driving onto some pieces of lumber, like 2x10's or something similar, would make yours sit about as high as the OB, right? Mine's a '97 but I'd think they're the same underneath. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted February 16, 2005 Author Share Posted February 16, 2005 Diff. suspension on Outbacks makes your ground clearance higher than my L. I am 6' and 216 lbs so my small gut might make it hard to get under it. I cold try teh peice of lumber trick!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outback_97 Posted February 16, 2005 Share Posted February 16, 2005 I should clarify too... I don't think it's necessary for you to be under the car, just put the drain pan under the car. Reach from the side and you can get the drain pan under the car and reach the plug with your wrench. I'm 6'4" and skinny... just under 200 lbs. But that shouldn't matter as long as your arms are long enough to reach the plug, and would I think they are. The first time I drained it, I jacked the car up, put it on stands, and got at it from the front. It was a pain working under there. Then, when I looked at it from the driver's side, I realized I could just get at it from there. Much easier, less chance of burning yourself on hot exhaust stuff. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brus brother Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 My 2000 Legacy GT was reached from driver's side behind wheel, same anatomical config 6'4" 210, long arms. The bear was the front diff. and I ended up letting a shop do the front and rear diff. I know there are purists on this site who will hunt me down in the middle of the night for suggesting this but are there any real hazzards to pumping from the dip stick and refilling? I can't remember but if just the diff had magnets on the plugs or if the tran did as well. I must go and hide now.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorganM Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 Your car comes with this fancy thing called a jack; give it a shot! Borrow some jack stands or huge blocks of wood for saftey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nug Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 Drive over a curb and do it in the street. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted February 17, 2005 Author Share Posted February 17, 2005 I usualy wear a suit to work that is maybe why I did not try to reach for the drain plug I will try again, thanks for the vote of confidence guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottbaru Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 A warehouse with a loading dock must have at least one forklift. You should be able to do this without smudging the suit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Clark Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 Man, I'm glad I don't have to wear a suit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 driving on the curb trick is my favorite for low riders (lower than my soob). have your car lifted a few inches, that should do the trick. i seem to remember most soob trannies having magnetic plugs in the pan, not sure about yours though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted February 17, 2005 Author Share Posted February 17, 2005 We do have TWO forklifts but I would not want the Soob slipping off them onto me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northguy Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 A cheap hydrolic jack from Schuck's or wherever can be had for less than $20, and will come in handy the next time you have a flat tire. It should be able to lift your car up enough to reach the plug no matter what your size is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted February 17, 2005 Author Share Posted February 17, 2005 I have always heard, NEVER GET UNDER CAR THAT IS ONLY HELD UP BY A JACK!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teppichkopf Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 I drained mine the other month. I have a gen 1 legacy so it should be very similar. You shouldn't need a jack, or to drive up a curb. You should be able to reach the plug easily from underneath the drivers door. The hardest part might be getting leverage if your bolt is on there tight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northguy Posted February 17, 2005 Share Posted February 17, 2005 I have always heard, NEVER GET UNDER CAR THAT IS ONLY HELD UP BY A JACK!! Not a bad axiom. Then block it with a piece of wood or a cinder block, or a jack stand.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted February 19, 2005 Author Share Posted February 19, 2005 Put a dirty old jacket on and reached it no problem thanks guys!! Only 3 1/2 qts came out after 1 hour drain time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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