nooB with a sooB - clunking noise during turns and brake fluid level

[Proteus503]

Greetings!

 

My name is Colin, and I'm from the Portland, Oregon area. I'm so glad to find a good forum for my newly aqquired 1989 Subaru GL Wagon (4wd, 5-speed, 135k miles).

 

I recently wrecked my pride and joy, a 1996 toyota tacoma, and picked up the subaru as my new daily driver. A fellow from my tacoma forum (www.customtacos.com) referred me here. If any of you have a tacoma, I highly recommend that you check out CT!

 

Links to my old taco:

good:

http://www.customtacos.com/gallery2/data/500/552lce_aug_newsletter_pic.jpg

 

wrecked:

http://www.customtacos.com/gallery2/data/500/552death.jpg

 

and my newly aqquired subee:

http://www.customtacos.com/gallery2/data/500/552suebee.jpg

 

 

Anyway, on to business!

 

I bought this subaru about a week ago, and I've got a multitude of little problems.

 

First: When I'm making a left hand turn, I hear a "clunck" sound. I had Les Schwab take a look, and they said that the lower ball joints are toast. alas, a good friend of mine has an 88 just like mine, and he said it was probably the CV joints or axles, or possibly even a wheel bearing. The car handles well on the road... alignment feels good, the tires need to be spun and balanced a little bit, but all in all it handles fine. at 135k miles, what would be a common cause for this clunking noise? What preventative maintenance should I perform now rather than later?

 

Second: When I first bought the car, the brake fluid level was low. The car needs new rotors and pads, which I thought might've been the reason for the low fluid level, but a week after topping it off... my brake fluid light (on the dash) lit up last night... so it has to be leaking somewhere. the engine bay is a mess, otherwise I could probably track down the leak, so I'm asking, is there any place (ie the brake fluid resivoir or master cylinder) where it is common to spring a leak in the brake fluid plumbing?

 

 

I appologize for the long-windedness of my post. I'm affraid that I'm going to be pestering you all for a while. Being an avid internet forum user, I do try to use the SEARCH feature as much as possible. I appreciate your time and replies! Thank you!

[northguy]

Welcome to the board. Sounds like a cv joint problem. If you're not mechanically inclined, or you need an exact diagnosis, see Richie at SIRS ir Portland - excellent, honest guy and a great mechanic, fair deals and excellent service. He won't try to rip you off like some other places (ball joints?).

[Syonyk]

Check the rear wheel cylinders. Both Subarus I've owned had leaking rear wheel cylinders at some point in their lives.

 

-=Russ=-

[soobmater]

if it only makes the noise when you turn, it is a cv. other than that, welcome and have fun with your roo,(now you should lift it ), if your into low ridin' type stuff, check out subaru_styles wagon,it's very perty

[Proteus503]

if it only makes the noise when you turn, it is a cv. other than that, welcome and have fun with your roo,(now you should lift it ), if your into low ridin' type stuff, check out subaru_styles wagon,it's very perty

 

Thanks for the replies all!

 

granted, my truck was lowered, but it was 2wd. The sooB is 4wd, and I DO want to lift it! I will search for more info rather than changing topics on this thread. thanks again!

[Bobby_boucher]

I also had problems with the rear wheel cylinders in both my scoobies and i also have replace cv axles on both thats where is sounds like the clunks comming from checking the wheel cylinders is really easy though and thats where i would start. Welcome to the board theres a ton to learn on here.

[Flowmastered87GL]

I agree that the front CV joints are probably going bad. I am parting out an 87 GL and the CV joints should work for it. They are nearly new (the cars engine blew up and it has 321 and a salvage title, not worth fixing)

 

I second the recommendation of superior import repair. Any repairs over my head go straight to Richie.

 

www.fixmysuby.com is their website (I think the hired webmaster hasnt changed the address on it) but the correct location is NE 82nd and Prescott. I think the actual address is 4443 NE 82nd Ave (but dont quote me on that)

 

My 87 GL is leaking break fluid too (another reason why I am parting it) The leak slowed down when I swapped to rear disk brakes and changed the front calipers, but its still leaking. On mine I suspect the hill holder valve. On yours, either the rear brake cylinders or the front calipers (Mine dripped EVERYWHERE!)

 

Note: Put a flowmaster on your car, it makes it sound mean