msmithmmx

Hello All. The good, my brother gave me his 2000 limited OBW w/ 145K 2.5. The bad, it leaks lots of oil has a bad HG (its an external coolant leak). When I pulled the motor I also found out it has 2 bad axel boots split wide open and a bad inner tie rod boot. The questions 1) Can the 2.5 leak oil from the HG? The oil this thing leaks is crazy. Its not the rocker cover and I am 99% sure its not the oil pan. 2) Can I just replace the axle boots? I drove the car and there was no clicking. 3) Can the axle throw so much grease out of the boot and cover the steering linkage to make you think the rack is leaking?

Reset the codes and see if anything comes back. You do not need to swap the ecu

I have that tool above and it does work like a champ. But with the pump off its real easy. If you still can't get at it with that toll hit it from the back side with a screw driver and be carful not to nick any sides.

The cams are removed without pulling the head.

You have all the caps tight correct and the cam seal out and the cam shaft moves a little? I could see it have a little play as the lifters are being pushed down. It should not wobble.

I am interested to see if you get this done. My bone yard is a muddy mess and I could not imagine pulling an engine or trans without the proper equipment. Power tools and jack stands.

There should be no play on that cap. You also need to use RTV. I prefer the high temp black stuff

What is the mileage? Its sounds like it was on its way out and the banging was the death blow. I had a very similar issue but I think I caused it by driving the car to the alignment shop with it being so out of alignment. It clicked the whole way there, 3000 miles later and it still clicks a little.

When I have a Subaru engine out I change that rear main seal like I would breath air. I made the tool with some white pvc piping. I took the old seal to HomeDepot and found the fitting that outlined it perfect. Then I just drive it in with a rubber mallet. I keep any eye on how far the old one was in. I always buy 2 incase I make a mistake driving it in. Rather spend 16 bucks to be sure then leave a new bad seal in. You need to pull the front timing covers off to see where you are leaking from.

Your harmonic balencer is shoot. When mine broke like this I used it as a spacer on my 2 ton jack. Now i can hit the jank points with no issues.

The DOHC is a pain getting it lined up and in place without the tools. I once saw the tools on eBay for over 200 bucks. It took me a few hours to get it lined up. For me it was not worth the money for tools. The SOHC is very easy. Once you get the belt on and the tensioner in place, you jam the flywheel with a screwdriver and torque away included the cams. I torque everything at that time

That is normal, you need to sand them out. Take a nice size peice of plexi-glass (lowes). 6 inches wide by 10 inches long and wrap it in 600 grit sand-paper, the black sand paper. Soak the paper down with WD-40 and start evenly sanding the block. Do not spend a lot of time in one section. It will take some time but you can get all of that old gasket out. If you see some wd-40 dripping down the cylinder wall just gently wipe it out.

If you really want to know. I drove on a noisy front right bearing for 35K. Why I did I do this, I have no idea.

I have a 98 OBW. Anyone know if calipers from an 04 Impreza will fit on a 98 OBW, they look the same or so I think

Lots of questions there 1. KYB's or monroes or brand X ? Monroe's working fine for me. Only 75 each shipped from Amazon 2. Should I replace the springs and mounts also? If so, where to get springs? Replace with OEM springs. As far as the mounts , if there are bad replace. There are bad if your steering wheel does not turn back to 0 after a turn. Got my springs from 1stsubaruparts.com 3. What about suspension bushings? should these be replaced at some point? I did not replace but wish I did the sway bar bushings 4. What about Body bushings? No, unless bad 5 Wheres a good place to shop for these parts? amazon.com and 1stsubaruparts.com

Had some what of the same issue. While someone is grabing the knuckle and pulling away ffrom the car take a dead blow hammer pound the hell of the end of the axle where the nut would go. Watch out for your helpers head and jaw

I got mine off amazon.com for 75 each.

I just did a strut and spring job. I went with the Monroe's after 100 miles they are working just fine. I did go OEM for the springs.

Agree, your saving so much money doing the work yourself spend the 80 bucks on an alignment.

98 OBW 200K. I completed the 2 month over haul of my front suspension. Wheel bearings, tie rods (in and out), ball joints, strut and springs, 4 new tires and an alignment. I now wish I did the axle's. I have a little noise from the front left (click, click while turning) its not that bad but I can hear it. I do not think they survived the 400lb pneumatic impact gun I used to take the axle nuts off. May have been there all along but drowned out by the loud wheel bearings Looks like another project down the road. I have new found respect for the amount of time it takes to take apart 11 year old suspension parts all rusted together.

I agree, that bolt is going to snap. I would pickup a caliper mouting braket and new bolts. You could probally get it all for under 25 bucks if you post for it.

Hello all. 98 OBW 190K. While removing the most stubborn outer tie rod the wrench slipped and hit the outer boot of the axle and put a pin hole in it, right in one of the folds, middle of the boot. If I extend the boot up or down I can hear air coming out but no grease. What would you guys do. Replace or let it go. Always a snag.

You described my exact issue. I can make mine go away by tapping the break and then it comes back. And only when it is really cold. I am almost postive its something with my e-brake rubbing.

Its a 50/50 on the Subaru's I have had even having one. Every time a pull an engine it gets bent up bad on the way out. I have never replaced it, just chucked them.

I just purchased new monroe struts for my OBW off amazon.com. They were 75 bucks each delivered. If I had to do over I would have had a shop press them on and off. Took me one day to get it done.