jfox78

Just an update.... We got our first snow today, and let me tell you, what a difference!! Car before was all kinds of squirrely and would push around corners and was generally sucky in the snow on the highway. With the awd functioning correctly its like I'm velcroed to the road! Predictable in every way, no front wheel spin up and rear bang, and just plain goes!! Thanks Subaru! Lol

Here's mine....99 OBS with a homemade 1.5-2" lift. And another pic thsts recent. Painted the wheels and added "flares".

I was also considering the Heri axles, but have heard that availability is a problem, as well as them pulling apart.

I was leaning toward the Napa remans anyways. Good to hear someone has had good luck w them.

So I'm in the process of doing alot of much needed maintenance on my 99 obs. Next on my list is replacing the now clicky (is that a word? Lol!) pass front axle. I've scoured the interweb and searched here, but can't seem to fond a recent review on any parts store axles. I know that OEM is best, and behind that is reman OEM, raxles, mwe, or used OEM. If I have to, I will purchase one of the aforementioned options, but in then interest of saving some funds, are there any parts store axles worth a shot? If so, which ones are the lesser of the evils? I've heard the Napa remans are decent, but not in any recent reviews. Thanks for all your help!

Here it is...

Good info. I may have to try cleaning mine as well. I have been getting the po325 code as of late.

I dunno, lol. I'll get a pic of mine tomorrow. It's bone stock on my 99 obs. Pretty sure all these were open diffs. At least mine is or acts like it. Tires spin opposite when off the ground, no indication of a lsd in there whatsoever. I'm pretty knowledgeable with drivetrain stuff, so I know what to look for with that kinda thing.

So, inspired by Jormungarde's off road build thread, I was wondering about running a negative offset wheel on my obs. How fast will it kill the bearings? I just think a set of black soft 8 wheels would look sick on there!

Awesome!!! I want to put wheels like that on my obs! Wonder how quick that'll kill the wheel bearings, lol?

Maybe some of you guys might know this.... Some subies I see have the smooth rear diff cover, and some like mine(99 OBS)have a finned diff cover. What is the difference besides cooling? Or is there a difference besides that? Just curious, as I can't seem to find a definitive answer on this. Thanks!

UPDATE- So, I drained and filled the trans today. Fluid that came out wasn't burnt, but was dark and thin. No grit or particulates were noticed in the draining fluid, or on my arm since it got soaked in the process, lol. Filled it up, and took it for a drive. Immediately noticed smoother and firmer shifting, and the time it took for drive to engage from park went from about 3 seconds to 1 second. AWD delayed engagement is GONE!!! Totally seamless now! I even pulled into mud and stopped uphill on a steep grass bank. Hit the gas and just took off, four wheels spinning, like it wasn't even an issue! Whether the shifter is in 1 or Drive its now exactly the same taking off. The "thud" of the rear wheels kicking in is gone! Thanks so much everyone! I never would have thought that fluid could have caused those issues. Now I'm looking forward to snow! Over the next two weeks, I'll drain and fill it two more times as suggested by you fine folks.

I'll have to try putting it in 1 first and see if that "presets" the transfer clutches. On an unrelated topic, would it be possible to trick the trans to thinking the shifter is in 1 when its actually in d? (transfer clutch wise)

Yeah, I'm not thrashing at all, lol. Just normal acceleration from a stop. I'll have to try fresh fluid and see where that gets me. I still may run a switch to the duty c though. I like the idea of a locked (so to speak) center diff for slippery situations. Btw...has anyone ever tried autozones trans filter for our cars? Or is OEM a better bet? I know non OEM stuff can be made a.little differently internally. Thanks!

Another thought.....could the vehicle speed sensors have anything to do with this? I know they're one input to the tcu telling it that the fronts are slipping. I dunno. I'm.about ready to wire up a switch to the duty c for the snow this winter! Having delayed awd is almost worse than not.having it! When the rear kicks in, it sends you sideways when you don't want it to!! Lol!