unibrook

When is the last time your front 02 sensor was replaced? My bet is that is beginning to get tired and causing the CEL. Don't worry for right now, if this is the issue, your misfires will get worse and worse in the coming months, and you WILL notice it in engine performance. Then you can change it yourself in under an hour. Not a very tough job.

Just to wrap this thread up, here is how it got resolved: Special THANKS to Hieu and Derek who helped me a ton in preparation for my court case! I won my small claims court case against the inde car repair shop. They repaid the repair bill in full. They had no invoice to show that they ever purchased replacement bearings for my car. Their defense consisted mostly of babbling on about how they have been in business for 20 years and always do good work, and this was a very tough job, and I should have written specifically on the work order to obtain Subaru parts and to replace them according to Subaru specifications if that is how I wanted it done--not just said that to them over the phone, and maybe I should have just gone to the Subaru dealership instead if I wanted it done that way. Just pitiful.

My brother was right this is the best Subie shop in town:banana: Yah dat's right you bet it is Hoss! Reply back here even if the symptoms don't reappear. That will help others in the future if they experience the same problem.

Glad they found the issue. Thanks for reporting back here with the solution. Too often people don't bother.

My bet is its your instrument head. My old Saab used to do this for a year. Then went dead for a year. Then fixed itself. I would just leave it as is. Bigger fish to fry.

Welcome to the world of DIY!!! Why do you think so many of us buy our own tools and go to work in the driveway? Sure it takes longer to fix it, but by going slowly and carefully, I know I am doing the job right. Nobody cares about your car like you do. That is the reality. You know the old saying: If you want it done right...

yep, after a series of cars with leaking sunroofs, I have to say I was quite happy to buy my 2001 Forester with NO HOLE IN THE ROOF!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!! I am done with moonroof leaks. When I want blue sky, fresh air, and a pickle, I will drive my motorsickle!

If it has been more than 40k miles since you last replaced your front 02 sensor, you might try that. It can cause misfire, and it doesn't always throw a code more specific than misfire.

I have to say, since I looked at using your knuckle removal method, I am glad I opted for the Hub Tamer method instead. The lateral link bolt/bushings become the only obstacle this way. Hohieu and I are both certified zen masters with the Hub Tamer, so pm us if anyone wants tips on using it.

Listen carefully. Does it misfire ALL the time? or only when warm? If only when warm, and mostly under load, then humor me and replace your front 02 sensor (yes, do it again). My 2001 Forester needs a new front 02 sensor every 40k miles. Then report back here.

I suggest considering the Hub Tamer tool kit if you plan to replace the bearing yourself. I have a step by step procedure that I wrote up for my 2001 Forester driver's rear bearing if you want it, I can email it to you.

replace your front 02 sensor if it hasn't been done in the last 40k miles. trust me. do it. u will thank me later.

Looks like a Jag bred with an AMC Matador! yuck.

OBiwan99W speaks wisdom. Do knock sensor first, since you are getting that exact CEL code. If after that, you are getting hesitation under load when the engine is warm, I suggest replacing your front 02 sensor if it hasn't been done in the last 40k miles.

I just put a Timken roller bearing in the rump roast end of my 2001 Forester and it is perfectly quiet so far. pm me if you want my step by step guide to using the Hub Tamer to get it done. Any shop that puts ball bearings back in there is screwing you by ignoring the Endwrench article on the web since 2003 that specifies using tapered roller bearings. http://www.endwrench.com/current/Current6/03/WhBearRep.pdf

That's good to know. I was unaware. I will do it this weekend.

2001 Forester and 1982 GL. Both get Castrol GTX 10w-30 and Purolator filter twice a year. Both do 6k miles or less/yr. Never an oil-related problem. But both are driven gently, lovingly, respectfully. Lots of foreplay, flowers and candy. "yes, dear. of course, dear. I'll shift you into 5th gear now dear."

Agree. My driver's side plug rings are leaking too (2001 Forester 93k miles). And they have been for over 2 yrs. I will replace the VC gasket and plug rings at some point. But the oil does NOT cause me any driveability problems.

Looks like undercoating to me. Go Rusty Jones!

Hi Dave, glad to hear it went as well as possible with your new press. I agree that getting the old outer race out of the knuckle took MUCH more force than I ever would have dreamt! ( mine was driver's rear bearing on 2001 Forester. I used Hub Tamer). I ended up using a 10 lb slide hammer and at least 60 full force whacks to get that old outer race out. It was a total beeyatch! Hey, at least you didn't have to melt out a frozen lateral link bolt/bushing!

Hi, it would help us all if you tell us what year and car you have. Does this apply to 2001 SOHC ?

Has the front 02 sensor been replaced within the last 40k miles? If not, try that. Report back here.

Be sure your terminology is accurate. Do you mean seating the bearing's outer race into the knuckle housing? You will feel it get hard/impossible to press further in when seated...and your circlip will now fit into its slot. Or do you mean pressing the hub into the inner race of the bearing?

That 82 motor will run forever.

If your front Oxygen Sensor has not been replaced in the last 40k miles, replace that. Then report back here. Trust me, I have a 2001 Forester, and I have been down this road.