I've got a '98 Forester I'm getting ready to sell (got married and don't need two cars...we're both PhD students and live close to campus) with two problems. The first is a bad case of what I think is torque bind (seems consistent with what everyone else notes). The second is occasional rubbing of the rear drum brakes at higher speeds and squealing once in a while at stops.

 

I'm in the Bay Area (Palo Alto) and would like to find a good independent mechanic who can get the car in shape. Anyone have any recommendations? I could also use a good paintless dent repair place to get out a few spots.

 

Thanks,

Ralph

When I lived in the Bay Area (Saratoga), my roomate used to take her Civic to "Japanese Beetle" in Sunnyvale. AFIK, she still goes there.

I know this is an old thread, but I thought I'd go ahead and post an update. Japanese Beetle does not work on Subarus. The fellow I spoke with recommended Don & John's @ 408.241.9999. I will call them and keep this thread updated with what I find out.