MCObray's 1997 Subaru Outback.
- Thread starter MCObray
- Start date
MCObray
Explorer
Thanks, I like it too... but love your '06 Impreza Wagon. My dream vehicle is actually an '06 STI so, love them hawkeye years! My current tires are Michelin Defender XT (from Costco) and we're great performers on the snow & ice. They are an all-season tire I do believe. I moved through about 6"-8" of snow in the area, as well as dealing with ice these last few days. Absolutely no complains and these tires rock. Michelin makes great tires. If we got more snow like this, I would prefer a dedicated snow tire, such as the Michelin X-Ice, but for now these tires do the job. They are also very quiet on the HWY. I was plowing through slush today and it held the line it was traveling with ease.
MCObray
Explorer
I got bored, and had some Plasti-dip laying around.
photo-7 by Bucky Images, on Flickr
I also got some Hella 500FF for Christmas... deciding where to mount.
photo-7 by Bucky Images, on Flickr
I also got some Hella 500FF for Christmas... deciding where to mount.
Dranged
Coffee-Chocolate
MCObray,
I've said it before and I'll say it again (now that I know you have started a build thread for this car :smiley_drive
, this is a sweet super clean ride!
What are yuor build plans for thI car? I would assume mods to maintain the overall ride quality, comfort, efficiency, utility and functionality of a stock outback, and maybe just a little bit more. :ylsmoke:
I see your previous builds are similarly clean and with useful, funtional mods (tires, protection, etc.). You've got good bits going on with this one already (with the rain guards, skid plates, mud flaps and rim pain)!
I'm looking forward to helping prod you along for some tasteful, functional, useful mods that will compliment the overall package!
Ciao
I've said it before and I'll say it again (now that I know you have started a build thread for this car :smiley_drive
, this is a sweet super clean ride!What are yuor build plans for thI car? I would assume mods to maintain the overall ride quality, comfort, efficiency, utility and functionality of a stock outback, and maybe just a little bit more. :ylsmoke:
I see your previous builds are similarly clean and with useful, funtional mods (tires, protection, etc.). You've got good bits going on with this one already (with the rain guards, skid plates, mud flaps and rim pain)!
I'm looking forward to helping prod you along for some tasteful, functional, useful mods that will compliment the overall package!
Ciao
MCObray
Explorer
Going to have to hold off for a bit, as my front wheel bearings went
.MCObray,
I've said it before and I'll say it again (now that I know you have started a build thread for this car :smiley_drive
What are yuor build plans for thI car? I would assume mods to maintain the overall ride quality, comfort, efficiency, utility and functionality of a stock outback, and maybe just a little bit more. :ylsmoke:
I see your previous builds are similarly clean and with useful, funtional mods (tires, protection, etc.). You've got good bits going on with this one already (with the rain guards, skid plates, mud flaps and rim pain)!
I'm looking forward to helping prod you along for some tasteful, functional, useful mods that will compliment the overall package!
Ciao
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Plans for the car are just to keep up with maintenance, and try to keep the vehicle in as best condition as it is. I seem to be encountering the clear coat flaking on the drivers front panel, above the wheel well, so it looks like I might throw some plasti-dip on it to cover up the eye soar. I'll do the other side as well to make it even. I've always found myself, at least with my last two previous vehicles, "over-building" them for what I do. I would eventually like to do a small lift with a set of Yokohama Geolandar A/Ts. I would also like to upgrade the headlights, as it is pretty darn crummy. I want to utilize the Hella 500FFs as another set of auxiliary lights, instead of simply replacing them in favor of the current fog lights (still work and better light output than headlights).
I'm really still feeling this vehicle out, even after 6 months of ownership. I really have a hard time, if you would want to call it that, of keeping vehicles in my stable. I just feel as if there are so many vehicles I want to drive/experience, that it's hard to stay committed to one for what seems like forever. I definitely do enjoy this vehicle and the features it presents (AWD, Good MPG, body lives, and the fact my girlfriend absolutely hates it). It's a underdog, and I sort of like that.
I agree. I was assessing where I could mount this lights and it looks like it's going to be a tight fit if I happen to place in front of the grill. Unfortunately they won't fit below the grill in the license plate space, so still scratchy my head and hope to have something figured out here in the coming days.
It's a sweet vehicle. I much prefer this generation over others. I enjoy the rugged presence it has, as well as the fact that I can still tackle non-maintained roads (think fire roads) and feel planted in the snow/ice with conservative driving. Plus they can be had in decent condition for 2-4,000 dollars!
MCObray
Explorer
In the midst of a front wheel bearing job. It appears that the three or so times I smacked a curb when it snowed, I did it in. I found a few write-ups, and although being not mechanically inclined, the process has gone along all right. My Grandpa has been a big help with his wealth of knowledge, patience, and heated shop 
.
Main write-up I used: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=787070
Front Wheel Bearings replacement. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
Front Wheel Bearings replacement. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
I should be finishing up tomorrow, bearing any mishaps, and then an alignment will be done since the knuckle/ball joints have be fiddled with.
.Main write-up I used: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=787070
Front Wheel Bearings replacement. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
Front Wheel Bearings replacement. by Bucky Images, on Flickr
I should be finishing up tomorrow, bearing any mishaps, and then an alignment will be done since the knuckle/ball joints have be fiddled with.
MCObray
Explorer
Everything got re-assembled and appears to be in better working condition. I drove the 70 miles back home on the highway and it felt great. My MPG also has seemed to increase, which makes sense as there would be now be less drag because of the new wheel bearings. This last month I have only been averaging about 205-215 miles to tank. The wheel bearings were replaced with half a tank, 115 miles at the time, and I drove about 100 miles yesterday and still have 1/4 of tank left, currently at 210 miles.
The only problem we encountered on the test drive initially was a sight rubbing with the brake shield and the rotor. To counter the problem, a screw driver was used to bend it back into place. The brake shoes were making a little noise, but some brake cleaner resolved that issue.
We also forgot to mark the eccentric bolt (top bolt on the strut-to-knuckle) for alignment purposes. I already planned on getting an alignment since the knuckle had been removed so I was not really all that worried. My Grandpa did the best he could with eyeing the caster/camber, and used some tech savvy tool turns in order to get the Subaru as close to what he perceived as factory specs. Threw the wheels on, retorqued the axle nuts (137 foot #) off the ground, retorqued the wheel lug (68 foot #) and off we went to Les Schwab. I dropped the car off at Les Schwab and the tech took the car off into the shop. No more than 5 minutes of hanging out in the lobby, the tech came out and said, "the car is already aligned to factory specs and you won't be charged." SCORE! Gramps hit the nail on the head. Subaru is back on the road!
The only problem we encountered on the test drive initially was a sight rubbing with the brake shield and the rotor. To counter the problem, a screw driver was used to bend it back into place. The brake shoes were making a little noise, but some brake cleaner resolved that issue.
We also forgot to mark the eccentric bolt (top bolt on the strut-to-knuckle) for alignment purposes. I already planned on getting an alignment since the knuckle had been removed so I was not really all that worried. My Grandpa did the best he could with eyeing the caster/camber, and used some tech savvy tool turns in order to get the Subaru as close to what he perceived as factory specs. Threw the wheels on, retorqued the axle nuts (137 foot #) off the ground, retorqued the wheel lug (68 foot #) and off we went to Les Schwab. I dropped the car off at Les Schwab and the tech took the car off into the shop. No more than 5 minutes of hanging out in the lobby, the tech came out and said, "the car is already aligned to factory specs and you won't be charged." SCORE! Gramps hit the nail on the head. Subaru is back on the road!
Last edited:
Dranged
Coffee-Chocolate
YAY gramps!!
Did you replace the bearings AND knuckles or press out the bearings and press in new ones??
RE: headlight upgrade... Look into teh multi-reflector 2-piece headlights from a 98 or 99 outback. Its a straight swap (although minor wiring work). You'll want donors with all clips and adjusting screws intact (i.e. be selective at the junk yards or look on ebay, etc.) and the wires cut 6-8" upstram up the harness. the wires are color coded to match your current wiring but the bulbs are different and therefore different plugs to those bulbs.
So basically a factory upgrade!
My 95 has the 1-piece like your outback, but the 98-99 OB has 2-piece which are much brighter, and once you buy a set, do the 3M headlight restoration deal for $30, then seal the plastic with thinned varnish, etc. (google specifics)
RE: light mounting for Hellas.
There are some good light bar options out there which require NO modifications.
I've seen some Hellas or KCs mounted in place of the factory fog lamps in the bumper, but meh. . . its 6s there. I'd go with additional and have them as diving lights so I could have either option, distant pattern illumination or wide pattern illumination..
Its definitely a good rig you've got there! :smiley_drive:
Did you replace the bearings AND knuckles or press out the bearings and press in new ones??
RE: headlight upgrade... Look into teh multi-reflector 2-piece headlights from a 98 or 99 outback. Its a straight swap (although minor wiring work). You'll want donors with all clips and adjusting screws intact (i.e. be selective at the junk yards or look on ebay, etc.) and the wires cut 6-8" upstram up the harness. the wires are color coded to match your current wiring but the bulbs are different and therefore different plugs to those bulbs.
So basically a factory upgrade!
My 95 has the 1-piece like your outback, but the 98-99 OB has 2-piece which are much brighter, and once you buy a set, do the 3M headlight restoration deal for $30, then seal the plastic with thinned varnish, etc. (google specifics)
RE: light mounting for Hellas.
There are some good light bar options out there which require NO modifications.
I've seen some Hellas or KCs mounted in place of the factory fog lamps in the bumper, but meh. . . its 6s there. I'd go with additional and have them as diving lights so I could have either option, distant pattern illumination or wide pattern illumination..
Its definitely a good rig you've got there! :smiley_drive:
MCObray
Explorer
YAY gramps!!
Did you replace the bearings AND knuckles or press out the bearings and press in new ones??
My Grandpa pressed the bearing in and out of the knuckles, and then pressed them back into the knuckle.
RE: headlight upgrade... Look into teh multi-reflector 2-piece headlights from a 98 or 99 outback. Its a straight swap (although minor wiring work). You'll want donors with all clips and adjusting screws intact (i.e. be selective at the junk yards or look on ebay, etc.) and the wires cut 6-8" upstram up the harness. the wires are color coded to match your current wiring but the bulbs are different and therefore different plugs to those bulbs.
So basically a factory upgrade!
My 95 has the 1-piece like your outback, but the 98-99 OB has 2-piece which are much brighter, and once you buy a set, do the 3M headlight restoration deal for $30, then seal the plastic with thinned varnish, etc. (google specifics)
Nice. Good information. Thank you!
RE: light mounting for Hellas.
There are some good light bar options out there which require NO modifications.
I've seen some Hellas or KCs mounted in place of the factory fog lamps in the bumper, but meh. . . its 6s there. I'd go with additional and have them as diving lights so I could have either option, distant pattern illumination or wide pattern illumination..
Its definitely a good rig you've got there! :smiley_drive:
Thanks for the heads up again. It really gave me some good ideas and got me headed in the right direction. Next I just need figure out the wiring, as I would like to run them independent and have the option to have them on with parking lights, fogs, headlights, or all.
Thanks!
MCObray
Explorer
Indeed. I drive about 25 miles a day, round trip, and I enjoy every second of it.
Thanks! So i've heard about them head gaskets going belly-up. Fingers crossed on mine!
I'll be getting the lights mounted in the coming weekends... think I have a good solution. Stay tuned
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