[98 forester lug nuts]

Are the lugs for the alloy wheels the same as the steel wheel?

[98 Forester brake caliper question.]

I replaced my rear caliper and it was leaking brake fluid where the caliper meets the brake line. Is there suppose to be a copper washer between the caliper housing and the brake line>? I have a washer at the bolt head, but not at the caliper.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

Ended up being the U-joints in the driveline. Had a machine shop install new ones.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

So you think its a bad rear wheel bearing? The noise does go away with the FWD fuse in.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

I was going to put the spare tire on, but it is brand new, compared tot he 50 percent worn tires on the other 3. Anyhow, it it was the tires, what would it have damaged to cause the popping sound?

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

All 4 tires are the same type and brand, and were on the car when I bought it. I had it aligned after the shocks were replaced about a year ago and the mechanic was having a hard time getting the right rear to align correctly but he finally was able to get it in. It also has 1" strut top spacers install on it.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

115K. It was a Midwest car originally so it has a lot of rust.

I have one tire that is worn more then the other, 25 percent instead of 50 percent on the other three. The more worn one was on the right rear, and then i switched it to the left rear this spring when i took the studs off. Today I put the worn one up on the left front, and the vibration from around the the transmission seems to stop, but the tinking/binding noise when in reverse stayed. There is also had a more noticeably shutter with that tire upfront so I think I will move that tire back to the right rear and see what happens.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

I put the front wheel drive fuse in it, and the sound went away. Any ideas on what else to check now?

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

I checked the brakes, and all seems okay. Swapped the inner and out pads, I had a friend listen and he seems to think the noise is coming back around the transmission more then from the front. Possibly a U-joint or something he though??? It now pops a little bit when going from Reverse to Drive (automatic). It also has a little rattle when going forward at highway speeds which seems to be around the gear shift area.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

Tried another cv axle, and that wasn't the problem.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

Ops, forgot to add, its a 1998 Forester.

[Twanging noise from front when backing up]

I just replaced my left CV joint with a new Napa brand one, and now when I back up there is sometimes a "twanging" sound from somewhere in the front. (A short high pitched sound) It will make the sound more when i am reversing and going to the right, sometimes up to 3 of these sorts of pops, and then once when i start going forward. Does this sound like I have a bad axle, or something else? It doesn't do it all the time.

[2.5 to 2.2 converstion costs]

So what should I expect to get if I have a quote for 2700 to do this job?

[2.5 to 2.2 converstion costs]

I have a 98 forester that has bad head gaskets, what should i expect to pay to get a 2.2L transplanted into it? A break down of cost would be greatly appreciated. (parts, labor, etc)