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zooeyhall

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About zooeyhall

  • Birthday 04/24/1955

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  • Location
    Nebraska
  • Occupation
    farming
  • Vehicles
    I Love My Subaru

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  1. They came and picked up my trusty 86 Subaru XT DL today. And, guys, am I ever feeling so sad about it. My brother bought it in 1990 and gave it to me in 1995. I commute daily 20 miles to a job, and my Subaru was the car that took me each day--winter and summer, rain and shine. I'm a pretty good Saturday mechanic, do all my own work, and over the years I got to know this car front-to-back. I overhauled the engine in 2002, replaced the seals in the transmission in 2004, did a complete brake overhaul and caliper rebuild in 2005, and replaced the drive axle boots more than once, and dozens of other things. By the time they came to get my Subaru it had 386,000 miles on the odometer. Over the past few years, the structural rusting was getting more and more noticeable. 2 years ago, the rear crossmember broke (rusted through), but I got a used one and managed to keep the old car going just a little while longer. It's amazing how much a little tender loving care can keep a car going. However last week the rear crossmember mounts tore out of the frame rails. No way to fix this and I know the car was becoming unsafe to drive. By the time they came to get it, everything else was still working on it--engine, electrical, AC, etc. This was one of the best cars I ever owned in my 58 years. Dependable, durable, reliable, and super gas mileage. So they came and got my Subaru this morning. I have the same emotions as if I lost a faithful dog or a good friend. I actually had a lump in my throat seeing it go out the driveway behind the tow truck.
  2. Here's a link to 2 pictures: 1 showing the replacement crossmember and the other my current one and where it is busted: http://photobucket.com/zooeyhallXT
  3. :banana:I did some internet searching and found a parts locator company that found one of these in New Mexico. The cost was $450 (included shipping) and I know that's high, but for that I got a part that is in excellent condition, and even includes the trailing arms and rear wheels. Now comes the hard part of removing the old crossmember and bolting in the new. Getting the old bolts out will be the hardest thing.
  4. Just wondering if anyone could recommend any good Subaru junk yards I could contact about this part? I live in Nebraska and the junk yards around here just shrug their shoulders when I ask them about a used Subaru part. Also---what is the correct name for this part, so that I know what to ask? Some have called it the "tube assembly", "rear suspension assy", "rear axle assy", etc.
  5. In reply to a previous post question: the tube is broke right where it connects through the bolt-on bracket. I checked with a Subaru dealer, it showed the part actually being available in the system ($450!) but being backordered for 2 months. The parts guy says that generally means it is no longer available. I am going to take my car to a nearby body shop. I think they might be able to weld a patch on the broken tube. I really wish there were more parts available for older cars. Even at $450 (if Subaru would have had the part) that is still no more than a typical month's car payment on a new car!
  6. Ok folks.... I took some pictures but for some reason I it says that I cannot post images. But FYI the problem is exactly as shown on other users pictures posted on this thread---the cross tube is rusted and broke off. I jacked the car completely up and did notice that the entire assembly is replaceable. So the next step is to locate the part. I was hoping there might be some supplier out there who makes these assemblies. I am not too confident on getting one off a used Subaru, as it is likely to be in as bad a shape as the one I have currently. Any advice on what to do next---with getting a replacement--would be appreciated!
  7. Thanks guys for the great info and pictures and ideas! I am at work now, but in a few hours I will post a few snapshots to give everyone a better idea of what is broken. Stand by---- It would be great if I could replace the entire tube and bracket(s) assembly--if it's still available somewhere.....
  8. Thanks to everyone for the replies. I am going to try and post a picture of this, but basically the tube has broken at the point where it passes through the front to rear frame member. The end result is that the trailing arm is moved so that the wheel assembly becomes cocked, as is shown in the pictures. Is this an item that can be replaced? Some of the comments refer to it as being "easily replaceable", but on my car it all looks like everything is welded. Is this a part available from somewhere? Is there a source on the internet? Thanks for any advice.
  9. I acquired my brother's 86 XT back in 1995--1.8l AC, 5 speed manual. Have been driving it ever since for my daily commute. A frame member gave away this morning and now the left rear wheel is cocked. I am pondering getting this fixed, but the rest of the frame and body is pretty rusted. Had this car a long time, gave it lots of tender loving care and it has served me well. Any advice on what I should do? Is frame repair worth the expense? I know it's "just a car" but I really feel bad about my "trusty subaru" not being driven again. Other than the rust and this latest problem, the engine, transmission, electrical and everything else is working fine.
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