Getting Started (Adelaide)

[biggins]

Hi There - have been using a Subaru Sportswagon (L-Series ?) for the last 6 months or so around town and for a couple of road trips interstate. Wewerelent it by the Rellies and in that time we've given it some good runs and are thinking of pimping it (LOL) to make it a bit more 4wd-worthy. We reckon it will make a fun "my first 4wd"

Its got about 300,006kms on the clock and currently bog standard. It was been used by the OHs grandparents for a long time and we "think" that it hasn't been thrashed.

So questions…well where to start really? Well I think that this is where we are:

and this is the kind of thing we are trying to get to (e.g. raised, bigger tyres, more bush-worthy).

--------------------------

So in order to get to that point we need to do a few things some minor (e.g. start doing regular oil changes, air filter changes and stuff like that) and we need to get a few things Sorted.

1) Everyday maintenance. What should I be doing to keep on top of this. Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oil Change, Coolant levels....what else?

2) Front wheels, apparently there is an issue with them that means when you accelerate from standing they splay out (slightly!) till you get upto speed. Any ideas?

3) Ticking sound when starting from cold till the engine warms up and you get going. Once the engine is warm or the rev's are higher as you go through the gears, it goes away. Any ideas?

4) Random grating noise intermittently from read drivers side wheel. comes and goes, we have been making sure that wheel nuts and stuff like that have been tight but we're not sure what it is and whenever we have taken it to a mechanic its stopped making the noise (!). Any leads?

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Finally, I am a bit of a n00b so bear that in mind when answering the questions but links and tips welcome as I am keen to learn/get hands dirty.

thanks in advance
Biggins

 

[mr turbo]

A sump guard/bash plate & some good A/T tyres would be a good place to start
You could also look at some front & rear bars, aswell as raised springs, body lift etc, etc, in the future. The list is endless

As for everyday maintenance, checking all the fluid levels is a good idea :iconwink:

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[carljwnc]

1) Everyday maintenance. What should I be doing to keep on top of this. Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oil Change, Coolant levels....what else?

2) Front wheels, apparently there is an issue with them that means when you accelerate from standing they splay out (slightly!) till you get upto speed. Any ideas?

1) Differential and transmission fluids, fuel filter, brake and clutch fluid.

2) Ball joints and/or tie rods???

If you don't really know the history, get the owners manual and do everything.:ebiggrin:

 

[Rally]

Engine oil and filter- I change every 5,000km's and use a genuine filter. I change coolant annually and also use genuine coolant. I check the air filter periodically and replace as necessary. I also use a fuel additive (genuine) every 5000k's.

If you are having issues with the front wheels splaying under load then the bushes in the lower control arm are probably worn out. If the car has a strutbar/radius rod then this bush would most likely be needing replacement too. Finally, the strut top has a bush and that also may be worn out. If this is regular issue, you might want to try some aftermarket bushes. I forget the brand but the they are yellow.

The ticking noise is probably wear and or old oil issues depending on the noise. How has the car been serviced? On older engines with wear, the lifters might be slightly blocked with old oil scum, and only when the oil heats up can it find its way into the lifter to do its job. Alternatively, it might just be wear and tear.

The noise from the wheel could be an issue inside the brake drum. Remove the drum and have a look inside, but do not breathe in the dust. Maybe even water it down once the drum is removed. I would also suggest before you take anything apart, take a picture first and do one side at a time completely before doing the other. That way you can see what it should be like. When changing coolant, be aware that the cooling system is under pressure when hot and you will be burnt if you remove the radiator cap when the engine is hot from running. When re-filling coolant, you will need to bleed or purge the system of air.

This has been discussed recently so do a search. Remember to use a sump plug washer when changing oil. Hope this helps and ask first if you want to before doing

1) Everyday maintenance. What should I be doing to keep on top of this. Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oil Change, Coolant levels....what else?

2) Front wheels, apparently there is an issue with them that means when you accelerate from standing they splay out (slightly!) till you get upto speed. Any ideas?

3) Ticking sound when starting from cold till the engine warms up and you get going. Once the engine is warm or the rev's are higher as you go through the gears, it goes away. Any ideas?

4) Random grating noise intermittently from read drivers side wheel. comes and goes, we have been making sure that wheel nuts and stuff like that have been tight but we're not sure what it is and whenever we have taken it to a mechanic its stopped making the noise (!). Any leads?

------------------------

Finally, I am a bit of a n00b so bear that in mind when answering the questions but links and tips welcome as I am keen to learn/get hands dirty.

thanks in advance
Biggins

 

[Rally]

Oh yes, all new brake fluid every 12 months through the whole system. I use the Castrol in the silver bottle in the Forrie and the WRX and it is fine for street use.

 

[biggins]

choice. cheers for the the starters. my OHs father has been doing ther servicing so I'll be speaking to him about that and I had the Gregory manual out last night and full change of oil/lubrication and filters is on the cards for the near future (this weekend if i can get it sorted) and the other more involved stuff soon after that.

 

[El_Freddo]

Its got about 300,006kms on the clock and currently bog standard. It was been used by the OHs grandparents for a long time and we "think" that it hasn't been thrashed.

So questions…well where to start really?

and this is the kind of thing we are trying to get to (e.g. raised, bigger tyres, more bush-worthy).

--------------------------

So in order to get to that point we need to do a few things some minor (e.g. start doing regular oil changes, air filter changes and stuff like that) and we need to get a few things Sorted.

1) Everyday maintenance. What should I be doing to keep on top of this. Air Filter, Oil Filter, Oil Change, Coolant levels....what else?

2) Front wheels, apparently there is an issue with them that means when you accelerate from standing they splay out (slightly!) till you get upto speed. Any ideas?

3) Ticking sound when starting from cold till the engine warms up and you get going. Once the engine is warm or the rev's are higher as you go through the gears, it goes away. Any ideas?

4) Random grating noise intermittently from read drivers side wheel. comes and goes, we have been making sure that wheel nuts and stuff like that have been tight but we're not sure what it is and whenever we have taken it to a mechanic its stopped making the noise (!). Any leads?

------------------------

Finally, I am a bit of a n00b so bear that in mind when answering the questions but links and tips welcome as I am keen to learn/get hands dirty.

thanks in advance
Biggins

Hey Biggins

Good place to start! 300k km is just broken in! If the cam belt hasn't been changed get a new kit that includes the idler and tensioners. It is also a good time to change the water pump if it hasn't been done recently.

As for the white one being lifted - I doubt it. What it probably has is a decent set or young set of standard springs in it so there's no sag. Or someone's got a couple of jacks under it to prop it up :lol:

I would be checking oil and coolant on a daily level. These are the most important things you can check to keep your subi in good working order. Low or no coolant is the killer of the EA engines! Also watch your temp gauge as this will show up an issue before it becomes something really bad such as a cooked engine.

2) I think what you're talking about is a factory issue. The L series were built with the front wheels looking like \-/ which only gets worse as the wheels are dropped out of the guard which is what happens when accelerating as the nose of the car is raised. When you lift it using a lift kit the appropriate adjustment for the camber is built into the strut top.

3) This is the hydraulic lifters - oil bleeds out of them causing the tick noise. One trick I've recently heard about is to replace the spring that is responsible for the oil pressure relief valve - or shove some sort of a shim in there to make the spring work in a smaller space. Otherwise this is also a factory non-option!

4) The noise from the rear right could be a dying CV joint (not likely I'm sorry) or a dying rear bearing. It could also be a dead or dying strut.

As for lift - one good mod I've come across and am currently using is a set of honda accord/civic/prelude front springs from a late 80's early-mid 90's model as the rear springs in the L series. Good handling and load carrying as well as a little bit of lift that these badly need in the rear. Best bit is that they're cheap from parts yards such as pick a part - dunno if you've got anything like that over your way though

Your L series will have a bash plate already, best bit is that it is steel from the factory unlike the new subi's.

If you want to get more serious about it there is the option of a 2 or 3 inch lift and larger tyres to raise it further. Running larger tyres effects your fuel economy and gearing.

My L started life as yours has - and I got it at about the same number of k's on the clock. This is how it looks now with a "couple" of mods and nearly 450k km on the clock:

You don't have to go this far to make it a capable offroader - you just need to be sensible about it. Biegewagon has gone a different way to me: 2 inch lift, standard tyre size, stock running gear and a different custom rear bar with wheel and jerry can holder. Two different subi's with two different aims - both the same enthusiast!

Hope this gives you some thoughts on where you want to go with your subi. Make a plan and go from there. I've been working on mine for 6 years now and I only now feel like I am starting to achieve my goals (the scorpion rims [above pic] got me this feeling!)

Cheers

Bennie