jonbfish

Well I tried again in the daylight to press the tab but ended up breaking it off. Does this need to be soldered back together or would one of those repair kits with some conductive glue work?

I'm doing a full rear hatch wiring harness replacement Got everything apart and swapped out the wires but when I got to the far end I can't seem to get the last connector off that is for the rear defroster. I can't tell if you are supposed to pull up on the tab or push down but neither seems to be working. It moves around on it slightly so I don't think it's welded to it or anything. Trying not to put too much pressure on it so I don't separate it from the grid. Anybody have any tricks? The defroster worked before the repair. 2007 Outback Wagon Basic

Thanks everybody. I had the front two tires re-balanced but he said they weren't way out, didn't seem to make any difference to me driving it. I wonder if it is a back tire (or brake) causing it, kinda thought about that. So far everything listed is pretty much what I figured would need replaced to get another year of it, and not some horror story about an expensive fix. And I'm not exactly doing the wheel bearing just because. If I would have had my press handy I would have changed it when I got it from the junkyard. I just didn't like the feel at the time but wasn't going to wait. Now I am going to take it in for another alignment so might as well replace the last wear part on the front end rather than have to get it aligned again if it for sure goes bad in the near future. Since I changed everything not long ago feel like it should come apart easy, and I'll clean the brakes while I am in there too.

A month ago I started getting a vibration at higher speeds in my 98 Legacy. At the time it was snowy and super cold so I thought maybe there was some ice build up or something causing it. Has since warmed up and it's still there with a back and forth wiggle in the steering wheel at low speeds. I don't remember anything that would have knocked the alignment out but that must be it? A year or so ago I changed all the tie rods and one of the ball joints, everything still seems tight. I had to get a new knuckle (came from a forester) and it seemed like it was slightly different but they didn't say anything when I had it aligned. I went ahead and changed the other ball joint and wheel bearing the other day, and am thinking I will replace the wheel bearing in the used knuckle (my press was loaned out at the time so I just left the old one in there) but it doesn't feel like there is play in it. My main question: is there anything else I need to check that could be causing this in the steering/suspension that would be very expensive to replace? The rust is really starting to come through so I have to question every chunk of money I invest. After the wheel bearing I will need new tires and probably some brake work along with an alignment. Would love to just buy a newer one but I think we all know that waiting a little longer on the auto market is the best play if possible with prices and availability. I just really don't want to put all this money in and then figure out I need a new rack and pinion or PS pump or something.

I'm replacing a wheel bearing in my 98 Legacy. I managed to get the pinch bolt and ball joint out (thanks to whoever said the Irwin bolt extractor sockets actually work!) and am putting it back together. I got a Napa ball joint that had a new pinch bolt with it, but on closer inspection it is longer and came with a nut for a drill out scenario. My threads are fine so I wonder is it ok to use this bolt and just run it all the way through? Do I need to clean the threads out or anything so it doesn't mess up the end of the bolt? I looked at a couple hardware store bolts but they didn't look like quite the same on the non threaded part. Or is full threaded ok?

OK, looking at this now. Is the tab in between the pins? I may have to post a picture to have you walk me through it.

So I finally broke down and bought a battery Milwaukee impact gun. Seems the technology is finally there to justify it. I bought a couple sockets that I needed right away, but plan to buy a decent set. I was at Northern and saw a $27 cheapo, and like a $70 one and an Ingersoll Rand set for $120. I'm thinking the IR is the way to go even though the price is high? Or is there some other name brand I should look for? Any idea what makes the expensive ones better than a cheap set?

Removed it and got it seated finally! I think I may have gotten a little crazy with the anti seize in there. Cleaned it out and am now good to go. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks for the discussion all, it is useful to have all these opinions in one thread. I was lucky to find another nice 98 a couple years ago, but the rust is starting to take hold. I would love to find a rust free, low mileage 00-04; do those still exist? LOL. What is the consensus on when the rusting issues were properly addressed? I see a lot in the midwest that have the spots over the rear wheels. I guess I'm not sure if mine had some lurking below the surface, or if it was just ineveitable here without a garage to keep it in, I want my next one to last a long time and outside of some of the issues discussed rust seems to be the limiting factor. Nipper - It sounds like you are down right now, but I have to say rolling around camping with a teardrop and a dog doesn't sound all bad. Good to see you around.

As somebody who is almost fed up with my '98, I appreciate this thread. Guess I feel ok about looking at 05-06ish for my upgrade, although all the info is good as it seems the days of the old reliable, simple subies may be a thing of the past.

When I looked at the hole it seemed like it was lined up, but the bolt just doesn't quite go through, and with one tap of the hammer it felt stuck in there and was hard to pull back out. I thought I heard it seat a little more when I took it off the jack but the bolt still didn't go right in. I'm going to pull it forward a couple feet tonight and take the wheel back off and have a look. Thanks about the connector! I'm sure it will be apparent when I look, but any resources for repining would be appreciated.

So when you say down, that means it could be in too far and need to come back out? Another thing is the junkyard knuckle seems to have more camber with the upper bolt in the same position, and the ABS sensor plug is slightly different and won't plug in. Do I need that connected in the short term to drive? The bolt broke on the old one so its going to take some work to get it out. With these slight differences is there a chance the knuckle I got is off enough the ball joint I have won't seat? I thought it was from a Legacy but not sure if it was a year earlier or if it was a Forester. This job has been a nightmare.

Had a rusted ball joint so had to get a junkyard knuckle. I tapped the new ball joint in with a hammer but the pinch bolt isn't quite getting to the threads. Is it possible I tapped it in too far, or is it not seated all the way? Just thought I would see if it should seat when I take it off the jack or if it needs to be finessed to the proper depth. After all the trouble the old one gave me I'm a little jumpy on the pinch bolt.

Just to close the book on this, I took it back to the shop that did the head gaskets and they said the pump was bad and replaced it no cost. Thanks for all the replies.

Sorry I wasn't clear. I replaced the gasket again (with OEM this time) and both lower hoses, but not the pump. I guess the most likely source is the mating surface.