garwood1

Just finished replacing the drop links on both the front and rear swaybars on my '05. What a difference this made ! No more noisy clunks, and the handling is much improved, as well. An easy job - around 30 minutes each corner. I found that the bolts attaching the rear links were more easily accessed by removing the calipers (had to fit some new rear pads anyhow, so did both jobs while in there.) The small holes in the end of the threaded studs, which accepts an allen key, are sometimes full of accumulated dirt and grease, and therefore not visible !

Why not just buy a Baja ?

I use Blue Magic metal polish (Simichrome or equivalent will work too) followed by Autoglym Super Resin Polish...the results are amazing !

Here you go...At home in Herefordshire...Daisy approves !

Very interesting, thanks for posting this link...sure explains where the extra 300lb came from ! I can testify to the toughness of the Outback design - I sold my pristine '99 to my brother-in-law, who lives in the hills in CA gold country. On his way to work one fall morning, he hit a patch of black ice, and went off the road into a grove of trees. The impact was so severe, it actually cracked the engine in half, and wrote off the car. Jeff walked away without a scratch ! One of the many reasons I am back in the Subaru fold... As for aftermarket goodies, yes, there does seem to be a thriving trade, mainly aimed at Impreza owners, so I'll keep my eyes open for Legacy-related options... Appreciate the comments, lads...

I had a suspicion...that's like carrying my mother-in-law around everywhere I go... As for the speed cameras, you are not far off in your assessment ! I was considering an H6 of similar spec that was available at the same time, but voted against it, in fear of even worse fuel mileage. Hope I haven't made the wrong decision. Appreciate the informed comments.

I guess my concern is that in order to get the performance I expect, I am caning the hell outta the car, and that can't help longevity or fuel mileage...

Folks I am disappointed with the performance of a newly acquired '04 Outback...it is a manual 2.5L petrol engine with 95K on the clock. Previously, I owned (in the US) a '99 model, same spec as above. The '99 could outdrag the '04 anyday. Is the blunted performance purely a function of greater emissions controls, more accessories, bigger / heavier body, all of the above, ?? I took it on an extended motorway trip today, over 300 miles in total, and it just felt lifeless and very heavy. This is a total shot in the dark, but are there any other owners who have had similar age range models, who might share their perceptions ? The car was just serviced as well...and running on Unleaded Plus petrol. So it has been given every advantage !! Please help me be more happy with my new acquisition...

Thanks for your thoughts - I'll enquire tomorrow whether he attended to the fork and pivots (as well as the pilot bearing), and take him a copy of the link I attached, to here his thoughts on the subject.

Hi Chaps Time to dive into the technical forums... On a 2004 Outback SE wagon, petrol / 5 spd manual, 95K miles - vehicle was just serviced, and technician reported a squeaking noise in front end of transmission. He assumed it might be the throwout bearing, and so removed the gearbox, replaced the TOB, and re-assembled - only to find the noise is still there. While in there, he said the clutch looked 'near new', and as such, did not replace either the pressure plate or disc. Digging through this BB's archives, I learned about this repair sleeve kit (shown in link below). I believe this goes on the input shaft of the transmission, correct ? Does anyone have experience with these kits ? What symptom are they intended to treat ? The squeak is heard when the clutch pedal is first depressed, and load is placed on the TOB. It soon stops as you continue depressing the pedal, and the TOB is fully loaded against the pressure plate fingers. Any other culprits ? Pilot bearing ? First bearing on input shaft ? Technician said he did not believe that the noise pointed towards any imminent, serious problem - said he would happily jump in the car today and drive to the south of France - but the worry is that something is on the way out, which eventually lead to a more ££ failure... Thanks in advance for any opinions... http://www.subaruparts.com/catalog/?section=759

Chris, curious to know your current mileage...I've been told my clutch throwout bearing is not long for this world, and I am tempted, while in there, to replace the clutch pressure plate and disc. Car has 95,000 miles on it - how long did yours last ?

Amazing how many cars you see running around with totally opaque plastic headlamps....especially in places with high UV. I typically use Blue Magic (or similar) metal polish, on a terry cloth rag - working VERY easily, so as not to get too carried away - stop and wipe away periodically, to make sure you haven't gone too far. Once happy with the finish, give a final polish with something like Autoglym Super Resin Polish, and finish off with something like Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection. The results are staggering - the car looks new, and the improvement in headlight beam at night is amazing. I once thought of starting a small business to do just headlight polishing !!

Hi Folks, thanks for the welcome ! I am well-aware of BB etiquette, as I also post on several Alfa Romeo BB's (my other passion.) As to Subie life here in the UK, they are VERY popular, especially in the more rural areas. The Impreza line is very popular with the run-n-gun crowd; Legacy models, strangely enough, are almost always associated with 'farmers' - you typically see them with working dogs, bales of hay etc inside (enough to make you weep !) Hence most of the used ones are what we call 'sheds' . There is another group of well-informed types who recognize the AWD attributes of these cars, and who buy them for our daily use out on the lanes and motorways. I think, to some extent, the cars are hampered by their less-than-frugal fuel consumption rates. When you are paying £1.20 per litre for unleaded, this becomes a major consideration ! (that's equivalent to $6.97/gal). The diesel boxer engine they launched last year for Legacy models has been a huge success for Subaru - Diesel sells for a few pence/litre more than unleaded, but you go much further on a gallon, hence the reason so many European cars are diesels. Tribeca is unknown here, as is the Baja....and Foresters are out there, but not seen as often as Legacy derivatives. The Legacy saloon is a real sleeper - most people wouldn't even recognize one ! There is also a thriving market for so-called 'grey market' imports, which are bought from Japan (also RHD market). Often they come in via Ireland (as do most of the Mazda Miata's in UK - they are badged as Eunos in Japan.) These cars are usually VERY well kept by their previous owners, and sometimes have Japan market options fitted that are not sold elsewhere. I have also seen some HOT Legacy estates with turbo'd engines brought in from Japan... Parts and service are readily available via the dealer network, or via the specialists scattered across the country. Dealers are few and far between, however - my nearest is 25 miles away ! Anyhow...nice to be on board, and thanks again for the welcome !

Hi All Just purchased a 2004 Outback SE estate here in the UK...as we live in a rural part of Herefordshire, winters (especially this past one) have been a challenge, so thought it was time to address the problem ! I last owned a '99 Outback Estate, bought new while living in the US - loved that car to death, so had to have another when the occasion came along. Looking forward to many miles of happiness with the 'new' car.