Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8641 messages,  Last post on May 03, 2013 at 9:35 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

#4984 of 8641 Cobbles under the car by yustr

Jul 19, 2005 (5:32 am)

I apologize if this has been answered already. I'm new to this forum.
 
My 1999 Subaru Legacy w/ 95K miles shows the following symptoms: when making a slow-speed full lock turn (say pulling into a parking space) mostly to the left, or backing out of the stall – again full lock mostly to the left, I feel a definite bumping. It feels as if I’m rolling over cobble stones. Another way to describe it – if you’ve ever owned an old style 4x4 it feels kind of like the torque steer effect.
 
Here’s the main clue: it only manifests after being driven for some time (20 min or more).
 
Minor clue: there is a noticeable vibration through the steering wheel at about 65 mph. (This is probably telling me I need new tires but who knows? I have rotated the tires and the bumping is still there – the vibration went away.)
 
Minor clue: I had a new clutch installed <3K miles ago. I don’t remember it doing this before but it certainly could have been. I took it to my neighborhood garage (who installed the clutch) and after I had to “make it do it” said it was something called a “viscous coupling”. He then said I should go to the dealer to have it fixed. Which usually translates from mechanic speak to mean “I think that’s it but if it’s not I don’t want to be stuck for the cost”. Any one have a guess? Is it safe to drive short distances?

#4985 of 8641 90K and counting by pathtomax

Jul 19, 2005 (8:51 am)

Hello everyone,
 
I have not posted in a long time. That is a very good thing as I have been continuing my commute of 34k miles/ year. I currently have 89K miles on my 2001 Outback Limited. Knock on wood- this car has been great.
 
I am preparing for my 90k tuneup in the coming weeks but noticed an odd thing this morning. I was almost at work, at a stop light. I was totally stopped- then the RFPMs shot up on their own to about 2K and the whole car lurched forward about a foot. Then the RFPMs went back down again. It did this last night on my way home as well. The A/C was and it usually cycles the RPMs but never had that "lurch" before.
 
Any help out there???
Thanks!

#4986 of 8641 VC by ateixeira

Jul 19, 2005 (9:32 am)

That acts as a center differential and basically connects the front and rear axles.
 
Could be, but we haven't seen that here in the Town Hall.
 
I'd suspect a CV joint, or maybe the front differential. Have you changed the diffy fluids at all? If not you should start there. Gear oil is cheap. 75w90.
 
-juice

#4987 of 8641 electric windows by gaelicgrl1

Jul 19, 2005 (10:33 am)

i have a 92 legacy and all of a sudden all of the electric windows except the drivers wont work. i looked at the fuse box under the hood. any ideas. i am not a mechanic and i live on student loans so if it has to go to the shop we will just live with it. thanx gaelicgrl1

#4988 of 8641 Re: electric windows [gaelicgrl1] by zman3

Jul 19, 2005 (10:47 am)

Replying to: gaelicgrl1 (Jul 19, 2005 10:33 am)
The security switch on the window controls is not on is it? This prevents the non driver windows on my 98 from functioning. Just a thought.

#4989 of 8641 Re: Brake Pads [willie_warthog] by fredp3

Jul 19, 2005 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: willie_warthog (Jul 11, 2005 2:20 pm)
My front brakes on '03 Subaru Legacy Outback Wagon went bad at 24000. They were replaced by my dealer at no charge. Back brakes now make a scraping noise when backing up and pulsate when stopping but dealer says they are not low enough to replace under warranty. I plan to try again before 36000 mi.
 
Does your car feel like the brakes are always on a little? As soon as I take my foot off the gas the car starts to slow down, like it doesn't coast.

#4990 of 8641 Re: Battery Icon Light and Brake icon light Illuminated on dash panel [teru [xwesx] by mfmatusky

Jul 19, 2005 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Nov 12, 2004 12:13 pm)
'92 Subaru Legacy. Sudden electrical problem. Driving along and lights, radio fail. Charge light and brake light come on. Charge battery and limp car home. Checked all fusible links. Replaced alternator. Still no charge. Followed alternator harness to check for physical damage. Found two white wires under fuse box with bad corrosion / heat damage. Repaired wires with butt connectors. Put car back together. Car won't even crank. Back to harnesses under fuse box. Found second corroded / hot connection. Repaired with large crimp connector. Put car back together. It starts but still won't charge. Running at idle w/no added drain draws 5 A, headlights, power windows, or AC add about 5-7 A each. Battery voltage is 11.5 to 12.5 depending on how long since I charged it. Batt terminal at alternator harness plug shows battery voltage. S terminal shows 0.3 volts less. IGN terminal shows battery voltage with ignition on. L terminal makes batt light on dash go on EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN"T LIGHT UP WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING AT A DISCHARGE. It seems the alternator won't ground that wire. Should the alternator have an external ground wire? I wouldn't think so but I have seen such critters. Any help?? Thanks, MFMatusky

#4991 of 8641 steering wheel noise by socalscooter

Jul 20, 2005 (9:36 am)

Hi there. Last month I bought an 02 Outback with 40K miles on it and at that time I purchased the extended warranty, too. Now I'm noticing a very slight "grinding" noise when I turn the steering wheel. I'm not sure if this is worth the trouble of taking it to the dealer. I called them and they were vague about what it might be and whether or not it would be covered by the warranty. Any suggestions? Thanks.

#4992 of 8641 40k by ateixeira

Jul 20, 2005 (10:15 am)

The B2B warranty is 36k so it might not be covered, is my guess. Doesn't sound like it's part of the powertrain (engine/tranny) to me. Hope I'm wrong.
 
-juice

#4993 of 8641 Re: 40k [ateixeira] by socalscooter

Jul 20, 2005 (1:39 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 20, 2005 10:15 am)
Thanks, Juice. I've learned a lot from your postings on the Subaru boards. You're a real asset to these discussions.
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