myfinalcoffinx

One more thought. Is there a possibility that it could be my steering rack? I feel it bouncing side to side as well as the thump thump thump and up and down jump that I described before. The goobers at les schwab seemed to think so when I got my alignment done. I read just a little bit ago that it was indeed the source of one person's problem, and that plus what the guy at the store said, kinda makes me wonder. What do you guys think? Scratch that: It only happens when I apply a load, and I don't think that the rack would cause that.

Do you have an estimate for the cost of parts? How about the amount of time it would take to complete the job if it's my first time doing this? I don't really know much about this stuff. Also, what will I need to fix it? I know I need a new boot (mine is clearly ripped), for it as well, but what else do I need that I may not think about until my front end is torn apart, and I have no way of getting to the store. One more thing, is the "CV joint" an actual part, or is it just what we call the connection between the axle and the axle stub? Do I replace the axle and leave the stub or how does all this work? Should I be concerned with the double-offset joint, or is that usually fine? I'm full of questions, mostly because I'm full of concerns... Thanks!

We went from this: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716P1010059-med.JPG plus a few holes in the fabric part on the other seat, to this: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0884-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0887-med.JPG Both the vinyl on both seats was replaced two years ago, and at least one fabric panel on each seat was replaced just recently due to the holes that developed after I sat down in the seat with a screwdriver in my back pocket (ahhh.) If you'd like to see anything more, let me know.

Hey all, The guy that did all of my interior work is truly a master at what he does. Professional work, quickly, and inexpensive. I told him I'd give him a plug to all of my friends. If you are in the South Puget Sound (or even north) and are in need of some interior work done, give him a call for an estimate-- his employee estimated $200 worth of work, but he told me that it seemed too high, and dropped it to $100. His name is Thom Carrigan and you can get a hold of him at 253-261-6223. He lives right near Lake Tapps, but is worth the drive. -Kevin

I don't know what ever became of this, but it doesn't do it anymore!

Scratch all that. I ended up making about 100 small repairs with the paint-on grid repair junk from Auto Zone. They only give you one mask though, so be sure to have some masking tape if you plan on repairing more than one break. I used two entire bottles of the stuff, and now my grid works perfectly. Also, I had trouble once I painted it on (into a small gap between pieces of tape) peeling it back off. They kept on breaking because the gap between the masking tape was so small, so what I ended up doing on most of them was very carefully "cutting" the "paint" with an exacto knife on either side of the line, and right before the tape started. It worked well, as long as you don't drag the knife across your work, then you have to do it again. It took a few go arounds. The first one, I got a lot of the visible ones, but even then only two lines worked, so then I had to go back through with a multimeter and test for resistance. All-in-all, well worth the time to be able to see out your rear window.

As it turns out, there is an adjustment that I missed my first go-around. I had to pull the rear-most panel off (the one that holds the parking brake.) In there, there is a plate with an adjustment for the exact purpose of moving the lever. Made the proper adjustment, and haven't had a problem since!

Turns out that the alternator belt was slipping. Thanks guys.

As was previously suggested earlier today, I'm updating the status of this problem that never got resolved on here. I pulled the alternator, and when I was in there fiddling with it, I grabbed the belt, and it was super loose. Tightened that baby right up, and away we went. I assume that the problem is solved, as none of the symptoms have been back. I do however, have a new alternator on hand, just in case... I feel kinda dumb now, but thanks a ton guys! Oh, and Cougar, I've been doing a lot of reading about DC circuits lately and my electrical engineering major buddy is helping me figure some stuff out, so thanks for the tip!

As it turns out, I figure that it's probably no big deal seeing as how every single car I see on the road has white coming out of the pipe these days because its so darn cold. Hopefully it goes away as once it starts warming up this spring, if not, I'll know I have a problem!

Yeah, it's been quite the process. I got it just after my 16th birthday and when I got it, it had about 220,000 miles on the clock, and just a couple weeks ago I passed the 270,000 mile mark-- she's on the return trip from the moon... It actually wasn't garaged prior to when I got it. It lead a pretty tough life until I babied it. In fact, it was beat to hell, I fixed it up most of the way, and then got in an accident in February-- but now she's back. Here's some before shots from right after I got it. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716P1010060-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716P1010059-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716P10100581-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716P1010057-med.JPG Aside from what you can see, it was clicking and jumping and singing and blah blee, but it had potential. I'm for sure going to leave it standard. I LOVE the way they look stock. All of my non-subaru buddes tell me to put all these mods and stuff on it, and they can't seem to understand that I've been aiming for stock all along.

I love doing this stuff; and you know in your heart of hearts, you do too... have fun with it. I already miss working on it

Yeah, its two years in the making (fixing) and now I think I'm looking for another one to do. I'm kinda bored now, and I need a project. Yes, the stowaway and I took a drive right after that. She loves going up in the hills for shorts hikes and such, so whenever I go for the Subie, there she is, begging to go with. Thanks to you and snowman for all the help with the electrical issues this baby has had! I appreciate it!

As they say, (or probably just me,) buy it for the body; everything else is fixable.

The only new section of carpet that I had to drop in was in on the drivers floor. Everything else was acceptable. That is until I left a halogen light sitting on the floor in the hatch section last weekend. You can sorta see it melted a small spot back there. Bummer.

I think I'll do the same.

I finally got around to putting the finishing touches on the wagon over Thanksgiving weekend, and boy am I happy with the results. Oh man, this is exciting-- I finally get to share this with people who care. I think my girlfriend is sick and tired of listening to Subaru talk... Have a look for yourself in my gallery! http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/showgallery.php?ppuser=11716&cat=500 I don't know if there is a readers' rides section anymore, but if there is, I have detailed documentation of the restoration process that I'd LOVE to share. If you're too lazy to look the gallery, I've linked all the photos below in the medium size-- for full resolution, visit the gallery. I know there's a lot, I'm just super excited. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0912-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0907-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0906-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0904-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0903-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0887-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0886-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0885-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0884-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0878-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0877-med.JPG http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/photos/data/500/11716PICT0868-med.JPG

This is exactly how I did mine, and I'm quite satisfied with it. The shifter isn't really a problem, even in first and third.

$x$- I'm guessing that that is what one gets when they capitalize 4x4... heh.

analog for sure. makes it look more classy I suppose.

yikes. this is quickly going from bad to worse. I'm completely new at engine work, and to tell ya the truth, I don't even know where to look. I'd like to learn however. I have the chilton book, and that can probably be some help, but does anyone know of a walkthrough (for dummies, newbies, etc.) that I can have a look at? When I say newbie, I mean it. Is this on top, side, bottom? huh? wha? Also, if I choose to not repair it (I'd like to, but if it is something that I simply can't do, I don't really have the money to get it fixed in a shop), what is the worst that could happen if i keep my coolant topped off? Will it progress? will it damage anything else?

yeah, i just read more and learned that. problem is, i just checked my coolant, and yes it needed to be topped off, but i check it monthly, and it is at the exact same level that it is usually at. A bit more clarification, however. It does it bad when it first starts up (always done that), and by the time it is at running temp, it does it intermittantly and very lightly. Any thoughts?

I'm pumping out some serious white exhaust these past few days. I did a full tune up and ever since then, it's been like this. Any ideas? Just to clear things up, I did use a FRAM pcv valve. Is this likely to be the source? From what I've read, that is the only thing I can think of since it has not overheated, and It wasn't happening prior to the tune up. Any thoughts would be great! Thanks, Kevin

I had the Goodyear Ultra Grips. I LOVED them. Loved 'em so much in fact that I used them year round-- two sets of them in three years (8 tires x $45... you do the math) I can't afford that anymore... I had a set of 175/70/13 and a set of 185/70/13. Both on the stock wagon wheels. Oh man, I loved those tires...

After further inspection of the manual, only one of the two hitachi carbs had an o2 sensor. I'll check which one, and let you know.