markjs Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I bought a $300 GL Wagon (84) with front wheel drive and an 1800 with a non feedback carb about 6 months ago and I have to admit I have a new respect for Subaru! I have beat the crap out of poor Mr. Suby (dumb rump roast name huh?). I don't know why he is a "he" and not a "she", I just know that he is one tired old man. I drive him nightly on a grueling 70 mile paper route and I don't change the oil as often as I should. I have broken the exhaust in several places always patching it with sealer goop and tin cans clamped around pipe. It stopped idling for a while so I bent the throttle linkage and installed an idle screw. I have replaced the front seal, a PCV valve, and a tune up. I had to tap and install larger studs in his exhaust to hold it to the head, and I need to coat hanger the back of the exhaust soon. I have fixed the broken door mechanism, installed a Pioneer CD deck and speakers, replaced the brakes and clutch. Mr. Suby has taught me a lot about front ends! His was the second drive axle I changed in a subaru, and the third. In that process I botched a steering knuckle by snapping the ball joint retaining bolt, and drilling it out so poorly the knuckle was ruined, so that was replaced....It squealed cuz of wheel bearings and got replaced again. Then I fell asleep at the wheel! I ended up in a ditch and bent the rim, blew a tire and bent the passenger control arm back 6 inches (it sure drove funny like that LOL), and had to cut the damn arm out because it was frozen to its bolt. In the process the ball joint got hashed and I replaced that sides knuckle at the same time. Seems I over torqued the castle nut because I was grinding bearings. I backed it off a touch and like magic it seems fine again. Today I slammed Mr. Suby's right fender into a tree and I had to bend it out by hand so as to not contact the tire. Oh I ran into another tree the other day and had to replace the stop/signal lens. The heater works now that he has a thermostat, and it runs pretty good considering the 140K+ HARD miles he has seen. I only hope I can replace him with a newer Suby in better condition, but my fondest hope is that he reties to light duty with someone who will value him for the incredible beats of burden he has been. All in all I have abused him badly and he has delivered, and more than paid for himself. I marvel that he still hauls my butt from point A. to point B. at all anymore. Well he's off to work again tonight.....Did I forget to mention I have had to have him towed twice? He has taught me a lot about cars thoug, Long live Subaru! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subarian Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Mine has even survived two teenaged drivers learning what a clutch is for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrap487 Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I wish I could have said the same about my jeep... but its going bye bye and I now have myself a beater subaru Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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