valvestem

I have a 2010 Forester that I have noticed that just a touch of the hand will leave a whitish mark. I suspect it is because of the texture of the material being sandpaperish, and when a hand/finger is rubbed on the dash it "sands" off the surface skin cells, and they show up as a white smudge. I have used a product called Yamaha Spray & Clean aerosol I bought from a motorcycle dealer, but they don't carry it anymore. It cleans and leaves the finish as original, not shiny. And I have caused a couple of little scratches as well. Maybe the material used has something to do with the release of the airbag system.

I'd try calling your nearby Subaru dealer or stop in and ask a service man what is up with the part you have. They probably or should know in a heartbeat what to do. Anyway you can access the shorter new part to do a comparo with the one removed? Another thought is that the reference article from endwrench has the part numbers reversed. I think you were given the wrong part to be honest after my research. Also here is a link to a post on this forum that may help, I did not read it through completely, so it may be the same info. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=5653 Also here is the TSB link: http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/tsb/04-09-01_tsb.pdf

Well, where I live, the newest state motor vehicle inspections laws say if the splash shields are not all intact and in good shape, they must be replaced. Big Brother at his best.

I think you have the right part, but the wrong part number. My reasoning is I suspect a change in to the part number in mid-model-year. I may be completely wrong on this, but, have seen other similar issues where this was the explanation. It appears as though you have the longer Outback model part.

Some of the Pontiac GTO's had the rubber nose too. A buddy had one that had been bumped into, and it needed a special primer to adhere to the rubber, before painting for the repair. I caved in the driver's door of a 1984 Toyota Tercel with my hip when it did not close all the way. I used a $2.00 window suction cup to pull most of it back out, it did leave a small crease near the upper section though. I have noticed how 'seemingly' thin the metal is in the Forester doors, they are very light and close easily. Sometimes so easy, I open them up again and reclose them thinking they weren't closed tight. But I learned my lesson that day years ago, no more hip thrusts!

Clarion, good brand for sure. Maybe it's the speakers responsible for the poor quality sound reproduction.

Believe it or not, but research I did on this issue suggests that fuel pressure, either a drop in or continuously low (as in not where it should be) could be a cause. I suspect the SeaFoam treatment may have had something to do with it, maybe not. At any rate, try the old battery disconnect for a few minutes and see what happens as already suggested. Here's the link if permissable to the link: http://www.automotiveforums.com/t667072.html

Seeing as I seldom listen to the sound system anymore, the poor sound quality does not bother me too much right now. It may as I get more comfortable with my new Forester. In the past I've had built systems ranging from 2-12's & 200amps on down, and I admit the stock sytem in the Forester is marginal at best. I did not amp up my last vehicle when I owned that one for 5 years, I just had other things to spend my money on like gasoline and home heating oil.