micgolub Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Hello I saw an 83 GL 4wd on the side of the road with it's front driver's side missing. I called the owner, and said I could have the car. He said he was having axle problems, and the wheel fell off. He said the wheel went to the other side of the road. I put the spare tire on, and drove it about a mile, when I noticed that the tie-rod was not connected on the bottom. Does this sound common? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 No, but in alaska, uncommon things happen. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 ... the tie-rod was not connected on the bottom... Please clarify: Do you mean that there was no nut on it? And you do mean the steering tie-rod, right? Funny things can happen when a wheel falls off and suspension drags on the ground. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subi81 Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 my brother lost a wheel at 55 mph. The lower control ball joint takes the brunt of the asphalt and will grind the nut right off. If this is the case I would get it fixed asap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micgolub Posted August 23, 2006 Author Share Posted August 23, 2006 I was looking at donor cars for repair parts. Are the front end similiar in a manual 82 Hatchback and an 83 automatic wagon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted August 23, 2006 Share Posted August 23, 2006 Identical actually - except possibly for the brake rotors and calipers (vented vs. non - got changed mid-83), the strut top is turned backwards on the 2WD (it's marked which way it goes), the strut cartridge is non-adjustable, and the spring is different. As far as the tie rod, knuckle and all that it's the same. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micgolub Posted August 27, 2006 Author Share Posted August 27, 2006 I towed the car with a toe dolly. In the process the drive shaft came out. (This an automatic) ANy idea of much work is involved now? My second question deals with manual transmissions. Was there a list somewhere of which one was used for certain Subaru's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micgolub Posted June 5, 2009 Author Share Posted June 5, 2009 UPDATE: I replaced the ball joint, and CV axle. And drove the car. Not bad for sitting for 3 years. I like the car because it has 125,000 miles on it. So the rear bearings need to be replaced. I did a similiar rear bearing job on a 1990 Subaru Loyole. http://www.evalbum.com/2629 Anyway in this 1983, I do not see any rear coil springs? Can someone let me know if they are supposeded to be there in a 1983 Subaru GL Wagon. If they are missing perhaps that's why the bearings went, or someone couldn't get them back on in trying to do the repair? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast I Drive Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 83 would have the torsion bar rear suspension, no springs at all. There are a pair of torsion bars inside the rear crossmember that act as the suspension. -Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micgolub Posted June 6, 2009 Author Share Posted June 6, 2009 Hello, Thanks much. I'm assuming the growling noise are from rear wheel bearings. SO I guess I'll do those first? Would the differential make much noise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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