ettev

On my sons EA81 wagon the transmission just began clunking. It's not a grinding, but an actual clunking when driving in normal 2WD. It's especially prominent just after shifting gears or corning, but it really does it all the time in 2WD. If we pop it into 4WD the clunking goes away and all appears well. Whats going on? 4WD not fully disengaging? This car is lifted 4" and nothing was really done to modify the 4WD lever or linkage.

Here's a trick we use in GM/Muncie/Borg Warner transmissions and similar. Go get a small bottle of what is affectionately referred to as GM Limited Slip Axle Lubricant ADDITIVE or an equivalent manufacturers product (essentially a sperm oil mixture). Dump it down the trans oil check tube and drive it for a while. It may help a little or a lot depending on how bad your syncro's are. If it doesn't help at all, sounds like you'll be swapping trannys.

Thanks.

Nice. Yeah, that was an awfully large picture. Gone.

How about in an EA81?

I'm not talking about the hidden storage tray. I'm just talking about the thin flimsy black plastic tray that lays on top of the carpet.

I don't mean the under floor tray. I just mean the thin plastic tray exposed in cargo area that lays on top of the carpet.

Hi guys. I'm over from the Older Gen Forum crowd. I remeber in a mid-90's Outback I had there was a plastic floor tray in the rear storage compartment. Anyone know if one of those plastic trays would fit in an EA81 wagon. I think all the Legacy and Forrester models had them.

I remeber in a mid-90's Outback I had there was a plastic floor tray in the rear storage compartment. Anyone know if one of those plastic trays would fit in an EA81 wagon. I think all the Legacy and Forrester models had them.

EA81 sending unit gasket........black rubber. Standard EPDM rubber or a special kind? What gasket material will stand up to that application?

How about the pump bearing? Serviceable?

Took it off an 83 GL wagon. I do have another 1985 Brat that has always had power steering though. No retrofit. I did get the old bearing out and the new one back in the idler pulley. Easy job. For future searchers here are some bearing interchange numbers I found for this application: NSK #6204V (original) Chicago Rawhide #6204-2RSJ (unconfirmed) Beck/Arnley #051-3954 (confirmed and used in mine, perfect fit). Bearing dimensions: 20mm bore x 47mm O.D. x 14mm width.

Sounds like I'm getting loud bearing noise from either the PS pump or idler pulley on my Brat. I'll pop the belt off tonite to isolate those parts to be sure that's what I'm facing. Are there replaceable bearings on those parts, and if so does anyone have part numbers? If you feel chatty perhaps you could also post procedure for rebuild.

Took about an hour and a half, maybe a little more, for both targa stripes and the star.

Here's what I did with camo. Check it out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/26905545@N07/sets/72157605926523746/detail/?page=10

Any of these: Group 25, 75 or 86.

Hey guys. I'm over from the Older Gen group looking for your help and advice on a potential purchase. My neighbor has a 1998 Outback, 150,000 miles with an automatic tranny. He's asking $2,200. It needs a muffler as far as I can tell. Not know the newer Soobs like I do the older ones what else should I look for or be aware of on this model and year car? I understand that head gaskets were an issue with some of these new gen cars. Is this '98 a suspect for those head gasket issues? What else should I inspect closely? Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

Just wondering what everyone is doing or using to help this crap ethanol gas blend they're forcing on us. It's horrible in my EA81's. Even running the mid-grade 89 octane I get some pre-detonation. I don't really want to retard the timing so I guess that leaves additives. What's everyone else doing? I fear our older engines might not be long for this world with the crap we have to burn.

Minor rust! Come to Pennsylvania. But seriously. I just did a 1984 wagon that had rockers MUCH worse than that. Found a guy in Cali that cut a set out of a car he was scraping and sent them to me. Tacked a 11/2" angle underneath the car to act as the bottom hem to weld the rockers to. Really stiffened up the car too! Seam-sealed them in, undercoated them and painted them out the color of the car. I'll try to snap a few pics later.

Thanks man. I'll give it a try over the weekend.

Is it possible to take these things apart to get them working again? If so, how? I have one that is fully unrolled and the return springs aren't pulling it back in. It's in an EA81 wagon so they're not that easy to find anymore. Anyone?

I'm in east-central Pennsylvania too and we get some, uhhh, interesting winter weather. My EA81's lifted are pretty good but I still say the absolute best vehicle I ever had for getting thru tough winter road conditions was my 88 GL 5-speed. Had 205-15" true winter snow tires mounted up, no lift, and that thing went anywhere, anyplace in any conditions.

Yep, agreed on this. I also always order engine stuff for ANY EA81 by selecting 1984 BRAT. It eliminates having to deal with any VIN options.