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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

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Messages Page 1900 of 1929

#18985 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [aatherton] by paisan

Mar 03, 2011 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Mar 03, 2011 6:54 pm)

The OEM trans filter was deleted in mid-2007 for the 2008 model year.
For the 2008 MY it was plugged with a bolted cap:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/Forester/IMG_0692.jpg
And for 2009 the filter hole was closed with an integral casting:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/Forester/2009ForesterATfi- - - lterhole.jpg
 
 
Sorry but you are giving out Mis-information. It was not deleted. They moved it to the inner fender well below the battery on the turbo cars. On the non turbo cars it is in the pan.
 
No manufacturer would run an AT car with no filter.
 
Please stop giving out mis-leading info!
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#18986 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [paisan] by aatherton

Mar 04, 2011 (7:20 am)

Replying to: paisan (Mar 03, 2011 7:06 pm)
Pre-2008, the automatic transmission had an external spin-on filter as shown here:
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/attachments/problems-maintenance/15283d12614- - 43974-2005-ob-oil-filter-imag0021.jpg
and here:
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/9540/5064502498b0501f6cfus1.jpg
 
For the 2008 MY the filter mount was plugged with a bolted cap:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/Forester/IMG_0692.jpg
And for 2009 the filter mount was closed with an integral casting:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f280/vintagefortytwo/Forester/2009ForesterATfi- - - - - - lterhole.jpg
 
Those photos of the 2008 and 2009 Forester automatic transmissions are not misleading. They show where the external spin-on transmission filter was mounted on the transmissions before mid-2007. It was identical in appearance to an engine oil filter but stenciled with "transmission" to avoid confusion. People with a pre-2008 can look under their left front wheel and see it. And it is frequently mentioned in forums as here:
http://www.carkb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/subaru/1098/30K-transmission-fluid-flush-and- - - -filter-2002-Forester-L
 
After the external spin-on filter was dropped, the internal screen filter remained as the only filter in the transmission, like all cars' automatic transmissions have.
 
Are you saying that the turbo cars now have an external transmission filter located in the fender well under the battery? Connected by hoses to the transmission?
 
Are you sure you want to label me as giving out mis-information?

#18987 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [paisan] by xwesx

Mar 04, 2011 (10:10 am)

Replying to: paisan (Mar 03, 2011 7:03 pm)
Mike, I get what you're saying. However, if the trailer you are pulling is not equipped with brakes (especially if it is the only trailer you anticipate ever pulling), it is a bit foolish to install a brake controller in the car that will see no use. Ergo, keep it simple: If the trailer has brakes, take advantage of them!

#18988 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [xwesx] by sgloon

Mar 04, 2011 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Mar 04, 2011 10:10 am)
Couple of questions:
   I have a 2010 MT Premium model Forester.
 
1. When talking about pre vs post 2010---I don't know which variation actually refers to the 2010?? (pre or post, or if it applies to my car at all?) I think this is more for the hole drilling that I am concerned.
 
2. Cost of flat bed or plain truck rental is way too costly. Trying to get the stuff from Maine to Colorado. any other suggestions?
 
3. Curt hitch is almost 1/3 the cost of the OEM hitch. ($130 vs $300) wow! Great idea there!
 
4. There is discussion about what to do for an AT. I have a MT, is there anything special I should do with regard to MT ?
 
5. This will be a one haul trip, as Xwesx mentions, of approximately 2500 miles. So, I expect if the trailer I rent has brakes, that's great, but I expect it might be too small (5x8 or 8x10 size is what I'm looking at)?
 
6. Does anyone know how to figure out the weight of this miscellaneous stuff ahead of time? Probably the heaviest stuff will be the table saw, band saw, jointer/planer and some hand tools. The "table" tools are old, so they will be all metal and not much plastic that today's 'new' tools would have. I don't have brands to be able to even try to look anything up. They would have been bought well before internet accessibility, so I expect any specs are unavailable? (Band saw could stay there if it is too heavy.) The furniture will be the real wood type, so is much lighter than the glued composite stuff that is out there now. Thus, I'm thinking that won't be too heavy, more bulky. Furniture looks to be dining room table with 6 chairs, sewing machine cabinet, wood chair and one overstuffed chair.
 
Anyone for a road trip?

#18989 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [sgloon] by xwesx

Mar 04, 2011 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: sgloon (Mar 04, 2011 12:56 pm)
I love road trips!
 
1. The 2009-2011 models are all the same as far as the hitch installation goes. For the Class III unit, minor frame hole modification is necessary. You can get an aftermarket Class II unit, which would not require any modification (as the hardware is smaller). However, it would be subject to the same forces as noted by fibber2 and aatherton, only with smaller hardware.
 
2. Not by me - your plan seems reasonable (note comments below).
 
4. Nothing special, just note that you are likely to smell clutch burn from time to time, especially if you start on hills, because Subaru clutches are very touchy that way. The transmission itself shouldn't have any problems at all. If you're concerned about it, you might consider replacing the gear oil in the transmission with a synthetic 75w-90 before you embark.
 
5. Hard to say regarding the trailer brakes. 5x8 is pretty small and may not have them; an 8x10 most likely will. At this point, you should plan on the cost of the brake controller + install (unless you feel comfortable doing it yourself). I haven't looked recently, but I want to say controllers run about $100? Still, with an aftermarket hitch, you're breaking even compared to the OEM hitch and getting a lot more for your money.
 
6. Keep in mind that the weight of items adds up quickly! If you want to weigh things before packing, you might consider buying or borrowing (depending on your friend network!) a flat parcel scale with a remote readout. You could put a base (such as a 4x4 piece of plywood) on it, tare it to remove the plywood's weight, then put each item on individually. If you consider that the (enclosed?) trailer is right at 1,000#, you have about 1,500 of capacity. If you estimate each item at 150 (all chairs would be one item), you can put a max of 10 items in the trailer and you're topped out.
 
Now, if you don't think it will be much of an issue, you could load it up, take it to a local scale (such as a landfill or a weigh station) and see how much it weighs. If you end up being significantly over (I would use 10% as my personal mark), take some stuff out.

#18990 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [sgloon] by xwesx

Mar 04, 2011 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: sgloon (Mar 04, 2011 12:56 pm)
Oh, I should note that for a single axle trailer, tongue weight will play a significant role in this load... make sure it is well-balanced! I imagine your car will be well-loaded in addition to the trailer, so this is going to be a significant journey for it. Fully inflate your tires (I'd run 40-44 psi rears, 35 front) and spread out your load as much as possible. The more the back end squats, the more "floaty" the steering is going to feel.
 
Here's a general-info towing article put out by NHTSA:
 
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/equipment/towing/towing.pdf

#18991 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [aatherton] by paisan

Mar 04, 2011 (3:40 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Mar 04, 2011 7:20 am)
After the external spin-on filter was dropped, the internal screen filter remained as the only filter in the transmission, like all cars' automatic transmissions have.
  
Are you saying that the turbo cars now have an external transmission filter located in the fender well under the battery? Connected by hoses to the transmission?
  
Are you sure you want to label me as giving out mis-information?
 
Yes, there is an external mounted filter in the fender well under the battery on the newer turbo cars. How do I know this? I run a shop that works exclusively on Subarus and we do 30k/60k services almost daily! So yes that is what I'm saying.
 
Sorry but to make a blanket statement about them removing the filter is giving false information.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#18992 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [xwesx] by paisan

Mar 04, 2011 (3:45 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Mar 04, 2011 10:10 am)
Mike, I get what you're saying. However, if the trailer you are pulling is not equipped with brakes (especially if it is the only trailer you anticipate ever pulling), it is a bit foolish to install a brake controller in the car that will see no use. Ergo, keep it simple: If the trailer has brakes, take advantage of them!
 
Sorry but I still have to disagree. All it takes is one jerk to cut you off trying to exit the freeway to throw your car and trailer into a spin/jackknife. Now you have a wrecked car, wrecked trailer, wrecked person who cut you off's car, possibly injuries, and your insurance company sends you a nice letter to the effect of:
 
"We are sorry to inform you that we are denying your accident claim. After a thorough investigation of the wreck, we see you were towing a trailer above the mfg. recommended X,XXX lbs w/o electric brakes. As stated in section XYZ in your policy, operating the vehicle with a trailer without the mfg recommended brakes renders your policy void. Have a nice day"
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#18993 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [sgloon] by paisan

Mar 04, 2011 (3:59 pm)

Replying to: sgloon (Mar 04, 2011 12:56 pm)
1. When talking about pre vs post 2010---I don't know which variation actually refers to the 2010?? (pre or post, or if it applies to my car at all?) I think this is more for the hole drilling that I am concerned.
 
 
2009-2011 Foresters are all the same chassis so you should be good.
 
  
4. There is discussion about what to do for an AT. I have a MT, is there anything special I should do with regard to MT ?
 
Depending on how many miles you have, I would suggest getting your 30k/60k service done at a reputable Subaru shop using synthetic gear lube for the trans/diffys as this will take the most beating while trailering. Add in a coolant additive such as Redline's Water Wetter to the coolant as this will help things stay cool. Also put in synthetic 5w40 motor oil as it's a little thicker and will hold up better to the extra heat you will have while towing.
 
Another consideration is that you should plan if possible to do the trip before the hot weather rolls in which will put even more strain on the car.
  
5. This will be a one haul trip, as Xwesx mentions, of approximately 2500 miles. So, I expect if the trailer I rent has brakes, that's great, but I expect it might be too small (5x8 or 8x10 size is what I'm looking at)?
 
Most Uhaul trailers out there will have what they call surge brakes, where you will not need any kind of brake controller in the vehicle. I know that the dual axle box trailers which is what you will need will have them.
 
You will also want to get mirror extensions as the trailer will be wider than your mirrors. They usually sell ones that clip on the edge of your stock mirrors to be able to see around the trailer.
 
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor

#18994 of 19283 Re: Hitch Possibilities.... [paisan] by ateixeira

Mar 04, 2011 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Mar 04, 2011 3:40 pm)
mike - easy on our colleague, I can vouch that he's been very helpful to others in a few threads. I've even bookmarked a few of his posts.
 
Thanks.

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