Dickensheets

No perfomance hit on mine, nor any CEL. I'm gonna ignore it.

Mine does this too. Although it seems to be coming from the rear of the car but I'm not sure. It's only under heavy load acceleration. Ryan

Last month I did mine (97 OBW). It was my first. I bought the el cheapo Pickle stabber from AotoZone and it worked fine. Taking my time and consulting my Haynes every so often, the job took me 1.5 hrs. Ryan

Thanks guys, I'll just let it ride and chock the noise up to p-slap.

Can this be done with the engine in the car? Any pointers from those who've gone before me. Ryan

Thanks Guys

Just did Houston Austin Houston and got 26.5mpg in the 97 OBW. Avg speed was 70mph w/auto tranny. Ryan

Yeah, I will be doing the T-belt and have a few seals handy just in case. Ryan

After reading a related thread about a bad Napa seal I ordered OEM seals for my DOHC. Question is, do I need any sealant or do I tap them in clean. This will be my first job of this nature. Thanks, Ryan

Bartt, I'm still curious what the noise was like. Ryan

I've had my 97 OBW on the beach a few different times. Never had a problem, even stopping and starting. I don't do any hot doggin' cause I don't want sand everywhere. I use a slow and steady approach and when parking I find a small hill or dune and face downhill to assist in the restart. Ryan

With fuel prices like they are MPG would be a big factor for me. If you plan on keeping the car for many years pick the newer one - it's a known quantity.

The fuse is designed to be used for towing, meaning disabling AWD. It's usually marked FWD. Some say it will provide increased MPG and others say it will damage a solenoid in the transmission. I've never used mine. Ryan

What are the indications you see/hear? My 97 OBW is also making some suspect "whirring/rhythmic road noise" from the left front. Just curious. Ryan

Those shims even come with the cheapy kits in my experience. Look around your work space and in the trash - you may find them. Also spray some Brake Quiet onto both sides of the shim before installing.

The strap wrench idea is good but won't work on the DOHC. The two sprockets are too close together to slip the strap in. I like the BIG pliers idea too. I was brainstorming in the garage while staring at my motor and came up with my own plan: cut the old t-belt in half, loop around crank and cam, held in place with utility clamps, and tighten cam nut pulling against the crank sprocket. As far as loosening, i'll loosen the cam nuts with the old belt still installed. I'll try the big pliers trick first.

My manual shows some guy doing a t-belt replacement. For the cam sprocket on the DOHC he is using a set of large ChanneLocks to grasp some sort of flange on the interior of the cam sprocket. He makes it look easy - anyone here done that? Clearance between intake/exhaust sprockets (DOHC) is such that I don't think a chain wrench would even fit. Special tool is $47 and would rather have sweet pliers for that money. Ryan

When the light comes on you have 2 gallons left. When filling you should put about 13 gallons in. Very reliable in my car. Carry a gas can and drive till the light comes on, proceed to the pump and confirm the numbers. Hopefully you'll not need the gas can at all but will give you piece of mind if the light fails. Ryan

97 OBW - I AVG 25mpg in mixed driving (my wife mainly). I think this is good since the A/C is constantly on here in Houston this time of year. My gas guage does not work so we fill up when the light comes on. I can get 300-330 out of a tank. 40psi in the tires smooth acceleration drive the speedlimit don't tailgate (every tap on the brakes wastes energy/fuel) Ryan

I've heard of this in past years but paid little attention because Soob didn't offer it. It looks as though that is changing, so a question... how does it work?

I use a coat hanger to form a hook of sorts. This keeps the weight of the caliper from tugging too much on the brake line.

You guys rule! Thanks

I want a 1/2" drive socket for wheel lugnuts, 97 OBW. Any ideas on what size this would be. Bonus question: What size is the cam nut on my DOHC 2.5. Ryan

I found the source of supply for the cam wrench: Kent Moore Tools, 800 354 - 2233 Part #499207100 $47 This is for the 2.5L. I looked at variuous chain wrenches, most costing $30-$60. For Subaru enthusiasts this tool seems like it would make life less miserable. Ryan

I am thinking about this for my 97 OBW. Anyone using one. Does it increase fuel economy? Ryan