Dickensheets

Just did one last week. 97 OBW. I used NAPA reman for $60, and replaced 13yr old ball joint in the process, $22 Autozone. So yah I undid the tierod end and balljoint to get axle out. Craftsman part #42885 is the punch you really want, combined with a 8" ratchet extension slipped over it to help give you a better swing with a small hammer to drive the new pin home.

Plug wires. At least for me. Fixed it. Get Subaru ones for best results.

Hey Ned whatsup. I use mine all winter and love it. All my cars get one. I leave it plugged in all night if it's gonna be less than zero f., or if it's in the teens an hour before i leave for work is good. You Will notice a huge difference on startup. Make sure it works before you install it. (ie just plug it in to your wall outlet). Ryan in Loveland

Hey welcome. I would spend your money elsewhere (jeep, toyota etc.). We all love our subies but they are not designed for offroad use. First, they are unibody, they lack aftermarket support, the approach and departure angles are all wrong, they have no low range, the gearing is too tall, the front is IFS, the wheelbase is too long. You will break the bank. I think you need a beater jeep or tacoma project. Results will be vastly superior. I'm not bashing soobs. I have 2. But I've been in the offroad scene before and soobs just don't work. Happy new year. Ryan.

My axle from napa burst the boot after 20k miles. Just so you know. My axle nuts came off with a 24" cheater. No biggy.

Do you run a block heater? If you do ignore this. If not: It's a good deal for your car. Makes life much easier for that boxer wnen it's super cold. Saves wear and fuel and your heater comes on sooner too. I put them on everything I own. $35 at the dealer. Later.

Went to cut a tree today with the fam. Got to the site (USFS) and made a 5mile loop on snow roads. Ranger said I should turn around cuz my rig wouldn't make it. Approx 7000ft elev. He gestured to the left, I said ok and went right. Up over a snow drift, dirt berm water bar thing, and back down the hill. Couldn't resist. Found a tree anyway!! 07 Forrester el el bean

I know what you are saying, but if'n ur in low your top speed is low. Engine braking and good judgement should stop you just fine. Are you planning the rubicon trail or what:-\

Keep driving. Good luck.

I have a 97 OBW and have run 3 sets of 225/60/15 (BMW tyres). WHY? The diameter is about 3/16th less than stock, however, the speedo is basically accurate. +-2%. The real reason is the handling. It's a lower profile (less sidewall) so it feels WAY more planted coming into the offramp. I have to really try to get it to squeal. Really try. Also I live at 5000FT elev. and in my tiny brain the overall lower gear ratio helps my non-turbo EJ25 wind out better. More HP at lower speed if you will. Keep in mind it's a tiny difference. Later

I just fill up every 300 miles regardless. Sometimes the light is on sometimes not.

I had the same problem as you. Same engine. I replaced the HG and all is fine 20,000 miles later. I did the wrenching and saved money. Now if the motor is solid it's a toss up between fixing and replacing. I would lean toward fixing if the car is well kept by the previous guy. Be careful driving in that condition, and if you do decide to fix it (which I would lean toward) make sure the heads are inspected by a professional machine shop. Now if you can find a good 2.2 like you said then by all means. Plenty have been happy going that route. Check to see if the thermostat is in there. If not then the last guy !ucked you over.

How many miles on the new one. Now would be a choice time for a t-belt and some seals. Way easy with it out of the car. Also get a manual if you don't have one. Like from Haynes. Do you have indoor work space cuz if you didn't notice its getting colder! Look at the spark plugs too, once again way easy with it on the floor. Oh and reseal the oil pan and and and.... I have an engine stand you can borrow. Rotary type. Ryan in Loveland

Go out and take some measurements. How tall is current tire, how much space to work with, this will give you some idea. Tire size calculators will tell you how tall and wide any given tire is.

Morning. I'm not sure what the wheel well will accept on that year but on my 97 the OEM size is 205/70/15. I choose to run 225/60/15 because to me it looks better and it handles much better due to more footprint and less sidewall. This is on dry pavement of course. It also has a slightly smaller diameter which improves acceleration at my 5000ft elevation here in colorado. Google tire size calculator and play with some numbers to see what will fit.

I haven't yet. It's not my call. Snowing harder now...

Well the distance is about 75ft. I had my wife do it when she got home and I watched. She thinks we are all dorks here btw but whatever, we know we are cool. Anyway the rear driver tire spun about 3/4 revolution as far as I can tell before the other hooked up. Then it was up and away. Really cool. Only a Subaru engineer prob knows how long the fluid stays gelled after being activated. I can't tell honestly. Still snowing.

Good point. But I'm a 4x4 nerd with past Jeeps and the VLSD did do the trick. And yes it did do a little dance so I know traction was lost at some point. The Outback would have just spun till I backed her up and dialed in ramming speed. They have similiar tires (not snows). All in all the forrester launches better from snowy stop signs with the VLSD. I am now a believer. I need to find a junkyard VLSD for my outback lol. Still snowing.

I'm stoked on the VLSD on my new 2007 Forrester. My 97 outback could never make it up my drive without a good run in the snow. Well we got 7 inches of the white stuff here so far and its still dumping. The forrester just crawled right up. wow! it really does work. That is all. Ryan

Hey fusion: I'm with you on this one. It's a known quantitity, your motor. You are on the right track. Don't freak about the torque conv. Just look closely at its depth in the bell housing/back of motor and mark its position with a sharpie. Line it back up for the install and you should be stoked. Ryan

Save your money. Unless ur rich. Way too early for the belt/pump.

You dont need OEM fuel lines. Aotozone sells fuel lines in bulk just cut to desired length. Tons cheaper.

I would inspect CV boots for tears and try putting the AWD fuse in and try to make the noise. If it goes away with that just search "torque bind". I just added an 07 LL Bean Forrester to sleep next to my 97 OBW. The Outback is mine now and the wife and kids are digging the new forrester. It had been so long since I had been in a new car that I forgot how nice the ride is. Quiet and smooth!!!!! The Outback has 150000 miles and has always had a case of morning piston slap, not even a little peep from the forrester. I'm just beside myself. I keep expecting to go out one morning and have it slap. Also the SOHC is nice from a maint standpoint, timimg belts will be tons easier for me. My first tank of motion lotion netted 27mpg MIXED driving. Now granted I've trained my wife in all the gas saver stuff but still she does a lot of stop and go. I just finished a tune-up and am waiting patiently for some good snow to test the magical VLSD. I am very satisfied again with Subaru. ps - I love the steering wheel. It has perfect ergos. I can sit in the garage after the wife goes to bed and drink a beer and make car noises while i hold that wheel. Yah it's sweet. pss - I love the ATF spin-on filter, why cant all cars do this??? So smart. psss - I dont love the plastic under the engine. When did this become cool. Now If I need to be under there I gotta clean/remove that thing and it blocks my field of view for visual inspections. It may hide oil leaks also. I may discard it when I install block heater.

Thanks I will try... it worked!!! yay

How do I program that. The manual has nothing on it that I can see. I'm speaking of 2007 Forrester LL Bean with rearview mirror garage door buttons?? Ryan