7/21/2000 (86210): Oil change. Changed the oil, Mobil 1 Synthetic 10W30. The oil that came out was kinda dirty, but hey it was the first "tank" of synthetic, we'll see how it looks in 3000 miles.

7/4/2000 (85259): Interior trim/rattle repair. Had a really annoying rattle from the passenger-side air vent for the longest time, getting worse. Removed the vent (cracked it, ouch), put some grease on a contact point between the rear door and the rotating latch that opens/closes it. Verdict on success to come.

7/3/2000 (85214): Oil filter replacement. Had a Purolator Pure One filter on from the last oil change, got a lot of lifter ticking. Replaced with the genuine Subaru part, 15208AA060. Replaced 1/2 quart of oil.

6/11/2000 (84140): Throttle & cruise control cable adjustment. Decided to take a look at the throttle & cruise control cables; cruise was adjusted a ways back because it was stretched, causing it to overcompensate when coming off of an uphill grade. Throttle was never previously adjusted. Found both cables a bit loose, tightened them, being sure not to tighten them so much that they opened the throttle plate in the resting position. Test drove. Found accelerator pedal more responsive and less "mushy." Cruise did a much better job of letting up on the gas when appropriate. Very happy. :)

6/11/2000 (84140): Brake maintenance. Popped off the driver-side front wheel to fiddle with the caliper. Started getting that cyclical rubbing sound again last week, suggesting I still have rotor warpage in spite of getting all 4 turned about 2 weeks ago. Checked the slide pins for free movement, the bottom one is a little tacky but nothing that seems unusual. Worked the piston in and out a bit to ensure there was free movement. Got some air in the boot seal behind the piston, bled the brakes to make sure no air got into the line (found no air in the line). Test drove, but it was raining, so impossible to tell yet if it made a difference. Update 7/4/2000-- the problem seems to have settled down & has not returned.

6/10/2000 (84111): Keyless Entry Modification. Figured out how to get the keyless entry module to automatically unlock and unlock the doors based on the position of the key in the ignition switch. Changed DIP switch #4 from its default position (off) to On (to enable automatic lock/unlock functionality) and changed DIP switch #2 from its default position (on) to Off (to enable the automatic unlock).

6/5/2000 (83931): Dealer diagnoses. The tranny leak is coming from the entry point for a wiring harness. The howl is... ouch... "rear differential pinion bearing failure." Both items will be covered under extended warranty, whose cost I just justified. :(

6/4/2000 (83885): Body work. Replaced the outside stabilizers on the driver-side front window. The old ones were mildewed and breaking down, and leaving a vertical stripe on the window. Subie part for stabilizers: 62303FA011.

6/4/2000 (83885): More body work. With the help of some ice and a screwdriver handle, smoothed out two door dings in the passenger side fender.

6/4/2000 (83885): Still more body work. Replaced the license plate lamp holder bracket. Original was rotted to oblivion. Plastic insert for left screw is broken, needs replacement, in the meantime the liftgate handle is holding the bracket in place. Subie part for bracket: 84927AC020.

6/4/2000 (83885): Brake inspection & maintenance. Lubed the clips for all pads, lubed the rear caliper slide pins. Worked the sealed slide pins on all calipers back and forth until they slid freely.

6/4/2000 (83885): Driveline inspection. Found a fluid leak coming from above the rear part of the tranny. Inspected the driveline per Haynes manual, found no peculiarities. Test drove. Still have an intermittent "howl/vibration" most noticeable between 40-50MPH. Noted a disturbing amount of corrosion on fasteners. Also noted that the front catalytic converter covers were not properly clipped onto each other, although the bolts were secure.

5/30/2000 (83531): Alignment-related steering problem. Steering wheel was off center (striaght-line driving = wheel turned to left) ever since 5/3/2000 alignment. Fixed.

5/30/2000 (83531): Brake Service. Had rotors resurfaced due to recurring intermittent brake rubbing problem since 5/3 service. Turned out all 4 rotors were warped.

5/25/2000 (83385): O2 sensor problem. Check Engine light at 83375 miles, was due to O2 sensor being dislodged during axle replacement on 5/3/2000. Repaired by dealer.

5/3/2000 (83331): Right rear wheel replacement. Wheel (formerly in front position) was bent during impact with pothole on 4/15/2000 in Tillamook. Ouch. Subie part 28111AC113, about $200. Other wheel (same-side) was replaced in 4/2000 due to same impact.

5/3/2000 (83331): Brake fluid flush & replacement. Should have been done at 60000 miles, forgot.

5/3/2000 (83331): Coolant flush & Fill. Should have been done at 60000 miles, forgot.

5/3/2000 (83331): 4-Wheel alignment. Found that all 4 wheels were *way* out of alignment, evidenced most obviously earlier by feathering on outside of left tires. Corrected with the exception of the left rear whose camber remained -.04° out of spec. This may be due to a bent suspension bracket (was improperly used previously as a jackstand support point). Footnote as of 7/4/2000: fuel economy has improved *dramatically*.

5/3/2000 (83331): Motor mount replacement. Replaced motor mounts (Subie part 41022FA000) due to observation of Carr Subaru tech that the old ones were worn out. Felt it was a good idea since the car came from the east coast and the mounts appeared in tech's view to be a bit dried out.

5/3/2000 (83331): Front axle replacement. Replaced front axles (Subie part 28021AC290, gasket 44022AA020) to attempt to resolve intermittent heavy vibration while brake is applied in drive. Symptoms were consistent with an axle issue SOA was aware of, involving the transmission of engine vibration through the body via the axles, but the intermittent nature of the problem was different in character. Agreed to pay for parts, dealer/SOA covered the labor. Net result as of 7/4/2000 (1 month later): problem is better than before, but still very much in evidence. Good to have new axles tho.

5/2000: The Bottomless Airbox Mod (temporary modification to test it out).

4/15/2000: Subie Free Car Clinic at Carr Subaru. Passed with flying colors.

4/2000: Keyless Entry Modification. I got the keyless entry module's alarm to arm!!! Woo hoo!!! For the hows and such click here.

This page last modified 7/24/2000!