subaru service

so im working on the wifes 02 legacy 2.5gt wagon. doing struts to start.

needs tie rod ends as well. no play in the LCA bushings, but does need sway bar bushings and end links up front.

I noticed that the steering rack boots are torn (one completely in half). no leaks. can I replace the boots, or do I need to do the whole rack? anything else I should be looking for or replacing preventatively while im in here? car has 160k on it, and she does NOT want to get rid of it for something newer. I offered....

If the boots are torn may as well do the inner tie rods. Ball joints might be worth a check as well. I would closely inspect the strut top mounts for cracks or bulging. The front ones on subarus seem to wear out fairly rapidly.

Other than that cv boots, motor mounts, and end links are the most common things I look at.

Since you have the wheels off, I would check the front rotors, pads, and brake lines to be sure they're in ok condition.

did the brakes this past fall. still have PLENTY of material left.

I did not see any damage on the strut mounts, though the bearings were pretty crunch. spent some time regreasing them, and all seems good.

I did not get to the rear struts today. that does not look to be a fun job according to the FSM. I have to use the included jack. to spread the LCA. that's a first....

how do I check the motor mounts and trans mounts in this? always has seemed like theres a bunch of drivetrain slop in this car, and weve had it since 97k. car has 162k on it now.

how bad are the inner tie rods? ive never done those on anything with a rack and pinion. any way to check them for play prior to replacement? im trying to avoid the "while im in there, I might as well...." that would quickly snowball to an entire suspension rebuild.

Michael

A good inner tie rod will have enough drag on it you can put it pointing up and gravity wont drag it down.

Check the head gaskets.

Check the oil pan for rust if your someplace that uses salt.

The oil pan on 03 forester we had rusted enough to seep oil.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Mounts are bad when they have cracks, are squished, are uneven, when the engine and tranny shake more than they should, and usually when the originals have 160k miles

Checking tie rods is just like any other car. I jack up the car and put my hand on the tie rods and have one of my kids shimmy the steering wheel. If I feel a clunk it time for a new one. Or if the boot is torn or the gut are visible: it's time for a new one.

To replace the iner tie rod you need an inner tie rod tool. I assume you don't have one but you can rent one with a deposit at most any parts store.

the head gaskets are leaking externally. when i get the truck back together, i know ill have to pull the motor. dont think i can do them in the car. and if im pulling the motor, ill do rings and bearkings and gaskets while its out. she wants this thing till the spot welds break.

i do not have an inner tie rod tool. i will rent one and do them at the same time.

ill check the mounts.

no salt to speak of in our area (NC). pan is still glossy black.

thanks guys. keep the suggestions coming. i normally dont mess much with late models.

michael

Subarus are super easy to work on, it should be the easiest engine pull you've ever done.

The rear struts on my Impreza were a bit of a pain to do alone, it would be a lot easier with someone inside to put a nut on one of the studs when the strut is slid into the mount. I loosely bolted it to the spindle and used a jack to raise it into position then put the nuts on the studs that came through the top mount.

In reply to The_Jed:

That's what slave labor....uh...I mean kids are for.

Sr. Duster, my head gaskets have been leaking oil externally for months. The oil return path is on the bottom of the heads so a head gasket oil leak isn't a huge deal. A coolant leak is a problem, but oil? Not so much.

shes been losing a little coolant for the last few years. i have no idea where, though. enough that i have to go from the bottom of the resivour to the full line about every 6 months-10k.

the oil is the bigger mess from the head gaskets.

and it would be VERY nice for an easy engine pull. i havent done much subaru work, primarily because ive never had to. so this is all new to me. that, and its a late model. i usually do stuff from 60's to 80's.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Small coolant leaks usually point to a small leak at the upper reservoir or at the radiator. Caps and end tanks are an easy check, but you really have to look close for dried coolant residue.

I despise aftermarket radiator and upper reservoir caps so it might be a good idea to visually compare the oem to aftermarket caps.