kodiak1232003

hi, could you explain the rear drive disconnect? is that to be able to use the brat in FWD like stock? To further clarify, is that what my 81GL does? the tranny has axles on the front that drive it 95% of the time. When i shift into 4wd it engages the rear axle...is that all correct? are you duplicating the same thing, but doing it AFTER the sammy box? thanks, Brian p.s. I really love this build and would consider it for my GL. good stuff.

hey thanks for posting. I actually pulled both cotter pins out and used a long breaker bar/axle nut socket and leaned all 270lbs of me on it. no movement. don't have a torque wrench right now, though. and thanks for the description of the components. that helps me picture whats going on assembly-wise in that area. this morning I made a realization...the noise goes away when warm. Its simply gone. there was no noise putting around my parking lot at work, after my 20 min drive on San diego freeways from home, (where the noise was rather noticable pulling out of my driveway and turning onto my street). literally...no noise at work...???...If someone listened to it driving around, they'd hear nothing, as i had the door open doing 2 - 5mph donuts, backing up and turning,etc.... I think thats why i didn't notice it till recently. probably had my ipod turned up leaving my driveway, and when i turn it off in my parking lot before i park it, there are no noises to be heard...LOL...this car certainly does have a personality!

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=80735&highlight=axle+cone+washer this poster describes my problem pretty similarly...

alright, well i went outside and checked...all 8 lugnuts tight. both axle nuts on snug/tight w/shiny new cotter pins. as far as i can tell the re-install was just fine. oh, and to loyale 2.0 turbo...the whole shaft was replaced to the tune of $80.00 per side-parts. I saw the parts and then I.D'd them on the rig after installation. shaft/splines are nice and fresh, and boots are (all 4) brand new with new "crimp clamps/collars" or whatever you call them... i understand what you say about the cone washers being trashed and causing problems. do you have any pics of said part or a shot of a bad one? thanks.

honestly, i've been noticing it off and on for the last week or so, and have been busy enough that I'm just now trying to troubleshoot. haven't talked to 'em yet. the work they did has a 12month warranty, so we'll see how that measures up if i need them to make it "right" -Brian

great advice...i'll go check em out right now. BTW, this shop comes highly recommended, and all they do is subaru's. Been in el cajon for 30 years. Not defending them, if it's their mistake, just trying to allude to the fact that they aren't the local joe-shmoe shade-tree shop. again, humble thanks...be right back...(axle socket in hand)

just to clarify, you're talking about a bearing that the inner axle stub (the end with the drift pin in it) rides on...is that correct? or are you talking about the inner CV joint...the one closest to the tranny? i think, the former, if so, would these make noise when turning?

yeah, its a good shop, "elite automotive" in el cajon (san diego) The shop replaced the axles, installed new lower ball joints and adjusted my brakes all for the same labor fee. He told me he checked out the bearings and they seemed fine. I wonder, do these older-style bearings start out noisy in the morning when its very cold? are they noisy before the grease released its oil? cuz i don't notice the noise much at all on my commute home @ 3pm. Only when the car starts rolling/turning in the cold/dark morning hours. (i go to work @ 5:30am...)

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i have an ea81 GL wagon. just had a shop put in new front axles. Still getting a lot of noise from the front end. sounds like a box of marbles. definitely driveline/steering, etc. both axles and lower ball joints are brand new, like 300 miles on them. any thoughts? steering is tight, no wobbles at speed, no clicking of cv's like when the cv's were busted, pre-replacement... wheel bearings?

hi all, this might be my first post, not sure. I've lurked for a long time. I have an EA81...81 GL 4x4 wagon to be specific. what would i need to do to lift the front once i cranked the rear? could someone 'splain this to me? thanks. BTW, I"m bigdaddy over on Expedition portal. -Brian EDIT: nah, not even close...lol...eleventh post in two years, oh well.

great, well if that rules out the flasher module, I'm one step closer. I'm thinking its a worn wire or so-so connection. i'll have to pull the column plastic and see what i find. oh, and no, the winshield seals are great. no evidence of leaking. Took it on a days drive today, running errands, going to birthday parties, etc. Very fun car to drive. Just have to nail down these little problems.

yeah, they either work well or not at all. when they don't work, no other lights are effected. emergency flashers, running, head lights all work. Even the goofy/groovy passing lamp works. -B

great, thanks to both of you. I'll check your suggestions and post up. Regards, Brian

was given an EA81 gl wagon to use for a while and need to troubleshoot a few things. 1. turn signals sometimes work, sometimes not..do i need to pull the steering wheel, etc and get into the switch? 2. rhythmic squeaking noise coming from the dash area. only happens when the car is at speed, not idling or off w/ key on. 3. heater doesn't blow warm. fan blows on all levels, but temp control does not change temp of air. Where do i start? fuse? what kind of heater was stock on this? is there a diagram of the heater assembly? I'm thinking speedo cable on the last one? thanks for any insight. Brian in san diego.

so what do you late model subie owners do about air bag deployment? i don't think they would work too well

did you check it out? not too bad for $100... definitely a project though.

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anyone in the missoula, mt area looking for a subie? there's one on 3rd ave thats for sale its a 1986 4wd GL wagon (red)... the good... tires look o.k. interior is a 6 outa 10 100k miles 4hi/4lo/fwd 5spd the engine with the 2 at the end...lol the bad -has had a problem overheating...i checked the oil and it wasn't a milkshake so there might be hope -needs a fuel hardline repaired -probably needs both front cv axles replaced.... i checked it out and decided i wasn't gonna buy it... but i thought i'd post cuz the guy seemed real genuine and only wanted $100-150.00 for it... its parked in front of marshie's (marchie's?) nursery regards brian

hmmmm, ok. it didn't have a range selector for a transfer case, so that makes it 2wd, right? if thats true im gonna pass... found another subie tonight that sounds like what ur talking about...looked like a GL wagon, but i looked inside and it was a manual w/ an indicator that said AWD/4hi/4lo.... for sale for 250.00 bucks....

hi, totally new to subie's but not to cars in general. i'm looking at a 1980 gl wagon for $800 bucks... specifics... -150,000miles showing -seems pretty rust free -has A/C -manual tranny (4 or 5 speed) -needs carb work(to be completed by mechanic before sale) questions 1. were all GL's AWD? or were there 2wd models? 2. how far can i take this car as far as mods? lockers, tires, lifts, snorkel, bull bar, etc? 3. is there anything to look for? problem areas? 4. how much can i expect to pay to maintain it, if its in pretty good shape? are parts expensive? (im in missoula(subie heaven) and going back to san diego in a month...(it would be towed) 5. does it have a viscous coupler for AWD or.... clutches? and did any of them come with hi/lo transfer cases? anything swappable? 6 thanks a lot in advance.. regards brian p.s. im also looking at a 92 loyale wagon. (250,000miles) would that be a better rig for wheeling? i'm gonna flog the crap out either one of these.