swi66

Years ago it was common practice to swap out an automatic to get rid of a 4-speed. Doing the change to a newer car like the Subaru orens another whole can of worms. I could not begin to think about things like all the parts you would need unless you have a donor car, and to top it off, there could be some serious electronic issues to deal with. If a stick is what you want, buy a stick car instead of trying to make the conversion. My son just did this with a 96 Stratus, still has problems.............. swi66

Yes those "Jiffy Lubes" may have insurance, but still try and collect. A couple of years ago a friends wife arrived home from a Jiffy Lube with the motor smoking, filter not tight, gasket sticking out. Motor is toast. The Jiffy Lube came out, brought oil and a replacement filter and said the motor was knocking when they serviced it. This was on a GEO with 60,000 miles on it. My friend paid a lawyer $1,200 to collect the $1,800 in replacement motor for the car, not to mention several missed days of work. It was the principal of the thing.............but still a pain in the butt. He was notified by the Jiffy Lubes lawyer later to desist in making an issue about it. Lawyer called it slander as my friend would tell anyone who would listen about how he was shafted there.............and it got back to the shop. It seems like a general rule of thumb..........blame the owner, or a third party rather than admit guilt. Car manufacturers do not want to pay out any more in warranty work than they have to. And warranty work never makes any money for the dealer, or the mechanic...............much better to get it ignored until after the warranty is done............. swi66

When our 94 Subaru was still under warranty. It was making a bad differential noise. Dealer said they all do it. Turn up the radio. I asjked him to take me for a drive in any of the other cars in the lot either new or used and show me one that made the same noise. He declined. Once into the differential, he found "blueing" on the gears. Said we must have taken it to a quickie lube and they must have drained the differential instead of the motor. I replied it has never been to anyone other than me for an oil change. He said I must have done it, by mistake. After much arguing and threats, they rebuilt the differential.........that was the beginning of my problems. Once rebuilt, the car would constantly bind up while driving. I said he must have put the wrong gears in the differential. They said no way, gear ratio is all the same. Car went back to dealer 8 times for the same problem and they could not find anything. I brought up the "Lemon Law' and told them to buy the car back. They certainly didn't want it because it was a postal legacy. Finally sent someone out from Subaru America to ride with me, the service manager, and the mechanic who worked on the car. Sure enough, the guy from Subaru asked the mechanic which gear ratio he installed as the postal legacies used a different ratio than the regular legacies............... By then the all wheel drive unit was toast too............... This was a NY Dealer..............West Herr, near Buffalo NY. Never would go back to them...............because they repeatedlyinsisted the problem was my fault....................make them prove it to be your fault, call Subaru, even the Better Business Bureau if necessary. swi66

I use the reman from NAPA myself, and have actually had it warrantied after a boot let go. I see no problems with the re-man, and the savings are considerable, and a lot easier than just changing the CV.............get the whole halfshaft! swi66

I don't know if there is any significant price savings from buying them on-line as they are pretty much available anywhere, and I do not myself go for a "genuine" replacement filter. Also, shipping would add to the cost. I get mine from NAPA which are manufactured by WIX. I also have a friend who works there which will get me a case cost. A lot cheaper than $11.00 each. They also have replacement washers for the drain plug. Take your plug to correctly match the size. swi66 Do this with my "other" cars as well..................

Do not ever go to a "recommended" collision shop. Go to a collision shop of YOUR choosing. "recommended" collision shops will take shortcuts. Take the rental, even if you do not need it, this will get the insurance company to go after the collision shop, to hurry things along. My 98 was in the shop for 6 weeks, mainly because it was a "postal" legacy with right hand steering, there was no replacement rack for the steering in the US. swi66

I have issues with dealers as well. I knew what the problem was, requested the repair. Wife took car in and they talked her into other parts instead of what the car needed. I had a used rack which needed to be installed. Binding in the steering. I had to get a used rack as it was a postal legacy with right hand steering. I wanted them to do it so it could be aligned right away. they sold her on an axel shaft and a ball joint, instead of the rack. By the time I found out about it I had them take their parts back out and put mine in. They charged Remove and replace twice of course because my wife authorized the repair. First though, I had her drive it around the block, and steering was still binding. So their diagnosis was wrong.............mine was correct. After getting the rack changed, no more problem. Dealers make money on parts, mechanics don't make any money unless they sell more service, that's the way dealers work............. I know, I worked at one several years ago(Ford). I didn't make out there too well as I was too honest..................... swi66

Yes that "burping" is a pain. I have even removed the upper hose to make sure water enters the motor first. It is a must on a Subaru Also, one time I actually bought a new thermostat which would NOT open. swi66

98 Postal Legacy,red, automatic. Postal means right hand steering...... swi66

Guess I'm spoiled as I have a lift and air tools. Parts through the right place can be $50-$100 with lifetime warranty Time can be well over an hour and a lot of cursing. You may need help as well. Unless you are real handy, and have an impact to break loose the hub nut, get it done. Remember it can be not pretty if it breaks........ swi66

Could be different for your car but......... Had BIG problems with this when I did rear wheel cylinders on my 98 Legacy. They ARE metric lines,with standard flares,and definitely NOT bubble fittings, if you use a bubble thread it will only thread in one or two threads and is not safe. One time I ended up using my old fitting on a new line! Not every auto parts store is knowledgeable on this, finally got the right metric non-bubble line through NAPA. Would you beleive I went to the dealer and he handed me a bubble metric line and said that was what they used? And I took in the cylinder and the line I took out of it. He had no idea........... Of course this is the same dealer I have "issues" with, regarding lying, mis diagnosis of problems, and just trying to get me through warranty. In any event, let us know how you make out........... swi66

Vince's Auto Wrecking in Lockport NY. I do not have the phone number, may be able to find on line. He ships everywhere as far as I know. Bought a bunch for my Subaru including a replacement motor with only 88 miles on it. He gets cars which have been used for crash testing. Bought front spindles and complete caliper and rotor setups from him, He was also able to get me a used rack for a "right hand drive" Subaru seeing as I have a "postal" legacy. swi66

I have a 98 postal legacy. The AWD has quit working and it is now only FWD. Is this electronically controlled? And if so, is there a fuse/breaker/reset I can try? The "check engine" light is on, can this be related? I would take it to a dealer but of the two dealers in my area I have had problems with both of them and do not trust them. swi66 winter is coming and I can sure use the AWD