Alexx Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 I have't had mine changed in the very long long time, I've owned the car, so I assume they don't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Assuming the vehicle still has its EA71/81 engine, then no it doesn't have a timing belt. It uses a gear-driven cam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboSPFI Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Nope, the OHC motors do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexx Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 Assuming the vehicle still has its EA71/81 engine, then no it doesn't have a timing belt. It uses a gear-driven cam. Fortunately it still has the original engine. The car has 260,000 miles, at around 190,000 miles the transmission was rebuilt, is the gear driven cam another phrase for the transmission? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Nope. It describes how the valve actuation is driven. The 3 major ways is by gear, chain, or toothed belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbrat Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Fortunately it still has the original engine. The car has 260,000 miles, at around 190,000 miles the transmission was rebuilt, is the gear driven cam another phrase for the transmission? no, there is a gear on the crank at the rear of the engine that drives the cam (directly below the crank) for the engine. there is also a gear on the crank at the front of the engine that drives the distributor. no belts at all. the transmission is totally separate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexx Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 This gear eventually wears out? The mechanic is about to replace the two front axles, a tie rod component, and an internal ball bearing, but I'm starting to wonder if it could be the gear attached to the engine. My subie did not feel right. It felt like the power of the engine was not hooked up properly to the front wheel drive, and I've never felt the car feel that way before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 The camshaft drive gears would be about the last thing that I would worry about with an EA81 engine. Find out what parts the mechanic is going to replace (should be on his estimate), and let us know. Much better than guessing and "borrowing trouble". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Don't worry about the timing belt/gear issue. Let your mechanic do the axles and see how it works. If it doesn't feel right, give it a tune-up. Tune-ups usually cure everything that ails those old Subies. Good Luck, Glenn 82 SubaruHummer--basic tune has always cured it. 84 GL Mad Max 01 Forester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexx Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 I don't have the estimate in front of me. The parts are going to be replaced include..... The two axles for sure, an inner tie rod, (it has play in it), and there is an internal ball bearing that is sealed that may need to be replaced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Well, as I said, don't borrow trouble trying to guess what it is. But if I were to guess... *doing my best Great Carnak impression* I predict that it is your front wheel bearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexx Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 The front wheel bearings that go along with the axle or the front wheel bearings that are independent of the axle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoobywagon Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Replacing an Axle does not imply the replacement of any wheel bearing. However, one has to do much of the same dismantling for either task. In other words, if you are going to replace the axle, you have to remove the outer end of the axle from the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle contains the wheel bearings and the axle rides in the wheel bearings. On the other hand, if you have to replace a dead wheel bearing, you have to remove the axle first. THerefore, if you are going to replace an axle, it is well worth your time to also replace any questionable wheel bearings, since you have to be in there anyway. If it will help, I'll take some pictures to post up to show you what we're talking about. It sounds like your mechanic is not going to touch your engine. And while I'm commenting.... Dead axles and wheel bearings can make an already underpowered car seem absolutely gutless. THis is because they are no longer doing the job they are designed to do, i.e. allow the smooth transfer of power to the wheel from the transmission. Once your CV joints and Double Offset Joints (parts of your axle) start going out, the transfer of power is no longer smooth and the joints start to eat themselves. This consumes power from the engine, as does a wheel bearing that has started to die. I'll bet that after you get your wheel bearings and axles replaced, the car will feel much better to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexx Posted August 23, 2005 Author Share Posted August 23, 2005 Replacing an Axle does not imply the replacement of any wheel bearing. However, one has to do much of the same dismantling for either task. In other words, if you are going to replace the axle, you have to remove the outer end of the axle from the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle contains the wheel bearings and the axle rides in the wheel bearings. On the other hand, if you have to replace a dead wheel bearing, you have to remove the axle first. THerefore, if you are going to replace an axle, it is well worth your time to also replace any questionable wheel bearings, since you have to be in there anyway. If it will help, I'll take some pictures to post up to show you what we're talking about. It sounds like your mechanic is not going to touch your engine. And while I'm commenting.... Dead axles and wheel bearings can make an already underpowered car seem absolutely gutless. THis is because they are no longer doing the job they are designed to do, i.e. allow the smooth transfer of power to the wheel from the transmission. Once your CV joints and Double Offset Joints (parts of your axle) start going out, the transfer of power is no longer smooth and the joints start to eat themselves. This consumes power from the engine, as does a wheel bearing that has started to die. I'll bet that after you get your wheel bearings and axles replaced, the car will feel much better to you. What Scoobywagon said. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MUCH BETTER THE CAR RIDES! Whooohoooooo! I actually think my gas mileage will go up. If only I could afford to fill the tank all the way up so I could find out. Check this out. The mechanic insisted on riding with me afterwards to make sure I liked the ride. First he told me he drove it 5 miles to make sure it was ok, then he said he was surprised at how good the ride was. hehehehehe, not bad for an 81 subie. I think he actually enjoyed riding the car. I would like to see the pictures you talked about posting because they replaced the front axle (both sides) and the right side inner socket. I don't know if they left the actual bearings as is. However, they also do my brakes, could those be the wheel bearings you are talking about? The bearings inside the axle boots are part of the rebuilt axle, as it was explained to me. The car seems a bunch quieter, seems to have more force going forward as well, it's really quite amazing. I asked to look at one of the used axles and it looked quite worn to my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indrid cold Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 sounds like its time for you to buy one too tinker with on the side... look for a good used Sube on the Craigslist.com, (manual tranny, 4x4,) cheaper the better and start from there.. can't break anything more then all that is broken and it is fun too learn how to work on them! I got 4, 3 that don't and one that does run....kind of ... but getting there Good luck.. and happy trails! "Noob with a wrench." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexx Posted August 23, 2005 Author Share Posted August 23, 2005 I did my playing around time on an old ford wagon. It was a great experience but nowadays I still rely on my 81 car so top notch maintainance is a must. I believe the experience of having worked on the old ford wagon has helped me notice car problems better than if I had never worked on one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSubaruJunkie Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Forget everything you learned from the ford... the subaru is much different. Search e-bay for a Factory Service Manual for your year... read it, learn it, live it! -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexx Posted August 23, 2005 Author Share Posted August 23, 2005 For me it would not be good business sense to not be able to answer a potential customers call because I am under my subaru with greased up hands trying to fix something and cursing beause I don't have a lift or the right tool. The Wagon I think helped raise my awareness about cars in general. I know the smell when a boot rips and sprays grease onto the cat, I know what a clicking sounds means when I make a turn, Now I know how good the car can sound when the front end is refurbished. It's all good. Now if I had a neighbor that knew and loved to fix Subaru's, I might be their best customer. but I'm most grateful that frong end parts are still available for my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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