Hello

 

I saw an 83 GL 4wd on the side of the road with it's front driver's side missing.

I called the owner, and said I could have the car. He said he was having axle problems, and the wheel fell off. He said the wheel went to the other side of the road.

 

I put the spare tire on, and drove it about a mile, when I noticed that the tie-rod was not connected on the bottom.

 

Does this sound common?

 

Thanks

No, but in alaska, uncommon things happen.

 

GD

... the tie-rod was not connected on the bottom...

Please clarify: Do you mean that there was no nut on it? And you do mean the steering tie-rod, right?

 

Funny things can happen when a wheel falls off and suspension drags on the ground.

my brother lost a wheel at 55 mph. The lower control ball joint takes the brunt of the asphalt and will grind the nut right off. If this is the case I would get it fixed asap!

I was looking at donor cars for repair parts.

 

Are the front end similiar in a manual 82 Hatchback and an 83 automatic wagon?

Identical actually - except possibly for the brake rotors and calipers (vented vs. non - got changed mid-83), the strut top is turned backwards on the 2WD (it's marked which way it goes), the strut cartridge is non-adjustable, and the spring is different. As far as the tie rod, knuckle and all that it's the same.

 

GD

I towed the car with a toe dolly.

 

In the process the drive shaft came out. (This an automatic)

 

ANy idea of much work is involved now?

 

 

My second question deals with manual transmissions. Was there a list somewhere of which one was used for certain Subaru's?

UPDATE:

 

I replaced the ball joint, and CV axle.

And drove the car. Not bad for sitting for 3 years.

I like the car because it has 125,000 miles on it.

 

So the rear bearings need to be replaced. I did a similiar rear bearing job on a 1990 Subaru Loyole. http://www.evalbum.com/2629

 

Anyway in this 1983, I do not see any rear coil springs?

Can someone let me know if they are supposeded to be there in a 1983 Subaru GL Wagon.

 

If they are missing perhaps that's why the bearings went, or someone couldn't get them back on in trying to do the repair?

 

Thanks!

83 would have the torsion bar rear suspension, no springs at all. There are a pair of torsion bars inside the rear crossmember that act as the suspension.

-Bill

Hello,

 

Thanks much.

 

I'm assuming the growling noise are from rear wheel bearings.

 

SO I guess I'll do those first?

 

Would the differential make much noise?