subiedoobiedoo

Thanks! MM

No ABS lamp....and the roads were (unusually!) dry. According to the other posts, looks like everything's normal!!! Thanks for the feedback! MM

Since I've owned this car, when I leave my garage and apply the brakes for the first time since the engine's been fired up, the brakes feel like they lose pressure (momentarily) and a strange groaning/farting noise that sounds like it's coming from the forward part of the engine compartment. It only used to happen leaving my building, but yesterday I experienced the same thing as I came to the end of a freeway off-ramp. The episode lasts approximately 1-2 seconds Otherwise the brakes work fine...BTW, I have plenty of pedal and ample meat on the pads. Most recent brake work: two months ago I had both ABS relay switches replaced when one failed.....but the above syndrome was happening PRIOR to the switch replacement. I'm genereally not inclined to take a "wait-n-see" approach on my brake system, but nor do I want to buy any unnecessary repairs if this is a congential problem with the early LOBW brake system. Thanks! Mark Ps. My '92 LOBW (w/ABS) never did anything like this.

I looks like the cutouts will pop out pretty easily....is the plastic sturdy enough to secure light mounting brackets? Is vibration an issue? If someone has recently done this, what lights fit nicely? How big of a job is it to wire them into the harness? Thanks! Mark

Have not had a problem since I replaced the relays.....it was $130 for both from Carter Subaru's Parts Dept. MM

This past summer, I sold a '92 Legacy wagon (which I loved!) to purchase a really sweet '95 Legacy wagon with lo miles. There's a lot to love about the '95....except the seats. They're really poor in all aspects compared to the '92s. If I was able to track down a '92 in the same "dusty rose"/metallic tan exterior with tan interior combo, could the seats be bolted-in as is, or would it take a lot of engineering. Would other, later years (96-99)be an easier swap? Are those seats any better than the '95s? Thanks! Mark

Thanks, friends! I went to Carter and bought the two relays(they suggested that I buy both for $132) and will put them in. Is there anything I should know about the replacement of the relays that might upset the "master computer"? Thanks! Mark

Tonight my ABS idiot light suddenly came on.....the first I've ever seen it! I turned the car off, sat for a minute and restarted. The Light came back on. Drove approx. 2 miles and stopped the car again, turned it off and got out. ABS "brain" contined to make a strange metallic whirring sound, as if a pump had not turned off. Got back in, drove another 2-3 miles(<40 mph), turned it off, got out, popped the hood, and the whirring/purring sound continued. I was pretty freaked as I figured anything involving a failing ABS unit has GOT to be spendy, so I drove home (approx. 10 miles @ 40-50mph) parked the car in the garage, turned it off......SILENCE! No more whirring sound. Also: No perceptible difference in braking at any time during the trip. Any ideas? I haven't tried turning it on again, since it's late and I'll investigate further tomorrow AM. Thanks! Mark

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130025978339&sspagename=ADME%3AB%3ASS%3AUS%3A1 There is one of these in mint condition in the Carter Subaru showroom in Seattle(175th & Aurora)...... I'm sure owning/operating one is a nightmare.....but they are the coolest! Mark

A detailer managed to get my driver's side seat belt retractor totally kerfunkledoodled......can anyone help me affect repair? Can I get the center console sufficiently out of the way by removing the four screws on the inside of the arm rest/storage compartment? My Haynes manual is on its way from AMAZON, until then....? Thanks! Mark

2.2 MM

I just bought a '95 Legacy L Wagon with 87k miles. Question: Since the timing belts have not been done, are they due? I'm hearing two schools of thought: 90k deadline & 120k deadline. I'd prefer the latter, but am not willing to "push the envelope" if it's 90k. Thanks for your feedback! -- Mark

I have an option to purchase a '95 Legacy "L" wagon with alloys, dual airbags and factory CD changer under the passenger seat. It's got 85k miles which is roughly half the mileage of the current '92 L wagon I'm driving. The new car is exceptionally clean and ding-free. I took it for a test drive and the only thing I noticed was that the (95's)driver's seat was noticeably softer than the 92's. Are there any particular areas of vulnerability that I need to be aware of? Thanks! Mark

I have a '92 Legacy Wagon with an air conditioning system dysfunction...after about 5-10 minutes running(in either "AC"or "Defrost" mode). I start to get a weird series of pops & clicks from a place that sound directly behind the glove compartment.....it sounds like a switch or cycling mode on the compressor. I've already replaced the ac compressor switch and diagnoses have ranged from "system's low on freon" to "ac compressor switch is bad again" to "heating system baffle door switch is shot". Any ideas? Anyone with a similar problem? Thanks! Mark

Brian Page, my faithful, steadfast & reliable mechanic of ten years(& 3 subies) is apparently on vacation/sabbatical from his Burien location until after New Years. Unfortunately, I'm going to need a brake job (F&R/turn rotors) on my '92 Legacy wagon sooner rather than later. Will take the car to Carter's if I have too, but was wondering if someone could recommend a four-star, Seattle-area, indy shop or mechanic instead. I live on Capitol Hill and work downtown, so closer is better, logistically. Thanks! Mark

Last Saturday, my girlfriend and I were headed to Poulsbo (WA) and drove my '92 Legacy wagon aboard the ferry bound for Bainbridge Island. Exiting the ferry @ Winslow, I proceeded through Bainbridge and suddenly the lights got dim and the radio cut out. CURSES! -- the alternator went Tango Uniform. Through divine providence and the kindness of strangers, I was able to charge my battery enough to limp back to the NAPA store in downtown Winslow. There, in the parking lot, using a ratchet and some metric sockets on loan from NAPA, I replaced the little bugger for a mere $200 and change. Undeterred, we soldiered on to Poulsbo, salvaged the afternoon and went back to Seattle after a nice dinner. On Monday, I brought the car to Brian Page(my mechanic) and had him check out my handiwork. Everything seemed shipshape and we got to jawboning about alternators and how they just seem to go POOF! with no warning and it is not always a generally-available part. He then allowed how he always carries a spare(used) alternator as part of his on-board kit in his subies. When I said it was tough for me to consider carrying a $200 item like it was a spare hose, he claimed that you can buy a used one for around $75 from a wrecking yard and it's well worth the investment. Does anybody else carry a spare alternator? Mark

I'm having some difficulty finding an "off-the-rack" folding sunshade that fits my Legacy. Either they're the correct height(dash to roof) and WAY too wide(8"-10" extra on each side), or they're the correct height and too narrow. Anyone got a mfr. that makes an appropriate model for the Legacy? Thanks! Mark

Duane: Thanks for the feedback.....if you ever see one of those "wiper wing" spoiler thingies around here, let me know! Mark

I have a '92 Legacy L wagon.....Here in the "Great Pacific Northworst" my windshield wipers get a real workout....I change my 2X annually: once in the fall to those winter models with the rubber boots over the blade frames and then in the spring to the regular models. I frequently have to respond to oil & chemical spills -- especially in the Columbia River corridor -- during the winter(& in the dark). Since US 84 in Oregon gets really icy, they really ladle-on the chemicals and salt for safety's sake, so I really depend on my blades & washers to do the job. I've been trying new manufacturers this year and have been underwhelmed by their performance. Anyone have blade (mfr.) they really like? Also: I'd love to find one of those little metal "wing things" for the driver's side blade that creates downforce at speed, eliminating the tendency for the wiper to "float" on the freeway. Does anyone know of a chain store(Shuck's, Napa, etc.) that carries such an item? Thanks! Mark

I have a '92 Legacy L wagon, which runs flawlessly. My only complaint is a persistent rattle/buzz from under the car somwhere. It sound like the old chronic exhaust system "heat shield" buzz from my '86 & '87 GL10s, but in this case I've had it up on the lift @ my mechanic's shop and have been unable to replicate it by tapping, jiggling or hammering. I'm stumped.....the sound definitely becomes more pronounced when I take my foot off the gas..... Any ideas? Thanks! Mark

Tell him Mark MacIntyre sent you...I've been taking my subies to him for ten years... MM