98legwag's 98 Legacy L Wagon

[98legwag]

Yeah. I am not a fan of the process. But I am a fan of the results. I bought the car in 06 and I think in the previous 8 years before I owned the car it wasn't waxed once. The paint is pretty bad.

[98legwag]

Here is an update on the brakes. I still really like the stopping power the StopTech street pads have. But after having them for a little I have noticed what some reviews say. They are definitely made for a more aggressive style driver. If you drive normally they will build up deposits on the rotors and cause a vibration in the pedal. The deposits can be cleaned off with a few hard stops, but they do come back after a bit of normal driving. I think next time I will pay more and get the Hawk HPS pads. My brother currently has those on his Jetta and they have good stopping power as well, without leaving deposits on the rotor.

[98legwag]

The wagon got a pass with Mother's Pure Polish then two coats of Collinite 476.

[meepers]

Looks Sharp! It is funny how Stock Rex wheels look awful on a Rex, but look good on a Legacy. It just dont make no sense.

[Dead91silvia]

I need to polish my cars so bad... LOL... Looking sharp!

[98legwag]

No real updates other than the wagon probably needs a left rear wheel bearing. It complains on right hand turns at decent speed. It lasted 174k though. To my knowledge the car has all 4 original wheel bearings. Oh and its going to need a right front cv axle at some point too. The inner boot is completely ripped in half. I believe the front cv axles are original too. I replaced both rears already.

[98legwag]

Oh and one of my under seat subs gave up the ghost. My friend took it apart to see if it can be fixed. He said there is actually a weight attached to the cone.

[nikolaus.conrad]

^I think mine didn't work when I bought the car, let me know how fixing it goes :smt023

[98legwag]

^I think mine didn't work when I bought the car, let me know how fixing it goes :smt023

I haven't checked with him in a few days. But I will let you know.

[98legwag]

^I think mine didn't work when I bought the car, let me know how fixing it goes :smt023

My friend said he replaced the speaker and it sounds the same. He thinks the amp is going bad. For what I can get them for the junkyards around here I don't really care that its dying.

[nikolaus.conrad]

My friend said he replaced the speaker and it sounds the same. He thinks the amp is going bad. For what I can get them for the junkyards around here I don't really care that its dying.
I ripped mine out, replaced my speakers, and haven't looked back lolololol

[98legwag]

Well, since my driver's rear wheel bearing is going bad I went to Crazy Rays pick and pull today with Rubie_25GT, kcowles, SelfishBlue, and a couple other friends. WPEC spotted my wagon in the parking lot there. I got a spindle/knuckle/hub set up off a 99 sedan that had 118,000 miles on. Under the hood it said the timing belt had been replaced at 50,000 miles in March of 2010. Something Dead91silvia may not believe is the car was relatively rust free. The whole knuckle cost me $17 vs $300-500 it would have cost at my friend's shop to replace the wheel bearing. I know I took a risk, but to me its worth it since my wagon has 178,xxx miles.

The down side was I broke a breaker bar and a Husky ratchet today. At least the ratchet has a lifetime warranty. My brother said to take it back to Home Depot with the rest of the set and they will replace the whole thing.

[WPEC]

Thankfully, I got nothing out there T_T
I wish that car was 98 model
I snapped some shots of your shiny wagon
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/09/5de70f0e2a62c7137478f29f830c3abc-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/09/a49a82121c7bee386def92029910ec1c-1.jpg

[Dead91silvia]

You are right... I dont believe you... :P

haha

[peugoby]

$17 is a total score! Nice going.... it immediately made me think of this

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/09/17_c5037c_51915-1.jpg

[98legwag]

Swapped the hub tonight. The noise is still there. The search continues.

[WPEC]

Noise reduced?
Check Rear diff ?

[meepers]

Could be the cv too. Just a thought repack them and new boot clamps.

[98legwag]

Rear diff and cv axles are both new within the last year or so. I am going to change the diff oil and see what happens. Honestly, to me it sounds really similar to the sound the old rear diff made when it went bad.

On a side note, I ordered tires for the wagon. Soon it won't be on crappy dry rotting snow tires.

[98legwag]

New tires arrived today. I got the General Tires ALTIMAX RT43 after speaking with Lancaster6 back at the SLI MD in the spring. He said they not really great anything, but good at everything. That is exactly what I need for this car. I set up an appointment to have them mounted and balanced using a road force machine and get an alignment this weekend.

As far as the noise goes, I think its the rear diff again. I think the dry rotted snow tires have uneven wear and are causing the diff to wear out. I could be completely wrong though. A friend of mine suggested changing the gear oil in the diff so I have some Motul 300 ready to go in. That will happen along with an oil change after mounting the new tires this weekend.

[98legwag]

New tires are on. They are nice and smooth. Much less road noise and they are much more responsive than the old snow tires. I also changed the gear oil in the rear diff. My first thought when looking at the old oil was "WOW MUCH FLAKE!" Looks like I may be replacing it AGAIN. Its making the same noise the old one did when it was on its way out. I guess this time I will actually find a rear LSD.

[98legwag]

Took the wagon to Cars and Coffee yesterday.

[98legwag]

A picture I could not resist this morning. The day before cars and coffee in the previous post the wagon got some "detail" work done. It was hit with Griot's Garage Complete Compound then Turtle wax. I have to say I am impressed with that combo.

[98legwag]

So the nice 6 month old remaned front calipers maybe not working properly. The left front seems to be making considerably more brake dust than the right front.

I AM SO DONE WITH THIS CAR.

[98legwag]

So I drove the wagon to work today. I get out and there is a big time burning smell. I couldn't find anything obvious. I went back outside about an hour later and found the issue. The left front caliper was still warm to the touch while the right front and rears were cool. Looks like the caliper needs to be rebuilt/replaced. It gives me an excuse to get rid of the StopTech pads too. They are good pads, but too dusty for what I want/need and cause brake judder if you don't drive hard all the time.

[Odycee]

Possible sliding pin(s) got stuck and all you need is to lube them.

[98legwag]

Possible sliding pin(s) got stuck and all you need is to lube them.

That is the plan. Then go from there. I may pick up some pads just in case as well. My concern is I need to drive the car for about a 1.5 hour round trip tonight.

[98legwag]

Yup. One of the pistons was stuck. Caliper got replaced today.

[Navi271]

Boo! I'm glad you figured it out and got it replaced.

[98legwag]

Yeah, I am tired of this car taking the money I had budgeted for wheels and tires for the 3.0R. I still need to replace the rear diff on the wagon AGAIN.....

[98legwag]

Today was fun. I went to the junkyard with Rubie_25GT, kcowles, and a couple other friends. I scored a rear LSD from an 01 Outback H6. We then took my rear diff off my wagon to find out the 01 H6 rear diff has a different number of splines inside the diff vs the axles on the 2nd gen. Its this way despite the internet telling both the H6 Outback and my car having a 4.11 final drive. We then had to put my diff back in and put the car back together. The fun doesn't end there.

Last thing to do was put the exhaust back on. When I went to tighten the spring bolt back down on the cat (yes my cat back is one long piece) the flange on the cat was so rusted it fell off. We got it rigged back on with no leaks using a U-bolt clamp and a clamp flange thing like this:
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2015/11/4-2.jpg

[98legwag]

Car is fixed. Issue and solution were so simple it made my brain hurt. It was something I had looked at before and thought "it can't be that." Even my friend who owns the shop I took it to thought the issue would be serious when he heard the noise. It turns out the muffler and a piece of sheet metal wanted to occupy the same area. We grabbed a pry bar and bent the sheet metal out of the way.

[98legwag]

Changed the low beams out for Osram Nightbreaker Unlimiteds. I have the same in the lows and fogs on the 3.0R. I also re-aimed the Hella 500s down a bit to be more even with the high beams. In the process I managed to scratch the fender. So much for that "pristine" paint......

[98legwag]

Well that was short lived. One of the bulbs exploded this morning and the glass is stuck in the socket. This car keeps finding new and interesting ways to piss me off.

[Yamazaki]

This car keeps finding new and interesting ways to piss me off.
:lol: Don't they all?

[98legwag]

I bought this car with around 55,000 miles on it 11 years ago. It has just over 180,000 miles on it now and today was the first time I had to add oil between oil changes. I consider that a win.

[98legwag]

I found a small rust spot starting near the center of the driver's door today. Fun times.

[98legwag]

Just got done waxing the wagon. One pass with Mother's Carnauba Cleaner Wax then a pass with Griot's Garage 3 in 1 Wax. I am impressed with the results seeing as the wagon was not waxed since some time last fall.

[Dead91silvia]

Looks nice! I this what you are bringing to the meet?

[98legwag]

Looks nice! I this what you are bringing to the meet?

Nah, I will be driving the 3.0R.

I should also add the annoying exhaust leak was fixed over the weekend too.

[peugoby]

Looks sharp! What a great color on the wagon. Mine is long overdue for a good waxing. Your wagon would look great with slim JDM door trim.

[foohfooh]

God, what's with these cars just soaking up wax?

Re-reading this thread and all I can say is you put in due diligence in attempting to save his cars exterior. I know second generation. Paint and clear was notorious.

Experienced the same struggle with my 2nd gen. Previous owners neglect to wash caused a lot of work detailwise .

Looks sharp now though! Both your cars live in the garage?

[98legwag]

Thanks guys.


Looks sharp! What a great color on the wagon. Mine is long overdue for a good waxing. Your wagon would look great with slim JDM door trim.

I am much too lazy to change the door trim.


God, what's with these cars just soaking up wax? Re-reading this thread and all I can say is you put in due diligence in attempting to save his cars exterior. I know second generation. Paint and clear was notorious. Experienced the same struggle with my 2nd gen. Previous owners neglect to wash caused a lot of work detail wise. Looks sharp now though! Both your cars live in the garage?

Nope. The 3.0R gets the garage spot while this one gets parked outside under a tree. If anyone of saw the condition of the paint on this car in person and up close you would wonder why I bother detailing it at all. Some times I wonder. Every panel has either scratches, dents, or the beginning of clear coat failure/cracking. There is a tiny rust spot on the driver's door. Rust on the driver's side quarter panel and the rear hatch near the handle. I just want this car to get to 200,000 miles. Its a few miles shy of 183,000 right now.

[BL6BO]

Hey Stuart! :D

[Muse]

I love hearing people complain about the minor blemishes on their 2nd gens, when I've got holes straight through the rear quarters. Just shows how much you guys care though. I know I need to pick up a better car (or at least a better shell) before too long, and you're the guys that ensure that a better BK/BG will exist for me. Kudos.

[98legwag]

I love hearing people complain about the minor blemishes on their 2nd gens, when I've got holes straight through the rear quarters. Just shows how much you guys care though. I know I need to pick up a better car (or at least a better shell) before too long, and you're the guys that ensure that a better BK/BG will exist for me. Kudos.

I would not consider buying a car like that.

[Muse]

I would not consider buying a car like that.

Cost me $200, and I needed a cheapass parts car instantaneously. Then it turned out to be in better shape, mechanically, so I registered it instead.

[98legwag]

Well, I finally got tired of the hearing the muffler hitting the shell of the car. I ordered Kartboy PU exhaust hangers like I have on the 3.0R. Hopefully they do the trick.

[98legwag]

A few friends of mine asked me this morning at cars and coffee to bring the wagon to the next one in a couple weeks. The wagon currently needs an oil change and tire rotation so I need to hit up Pepboys this week to get oil and a filter. It also needs the warped left front rotor replaced so I just ordered a pair of Centric Premium rotors. Yesterday I fixed/replaced the leaking windshield washer fluid reservoir. In the process I damaged the wiring for the fog lights so I now need to fix that. And the car is desperate need of and nice wax. I will take pictures of some of this just for Hinyo.

Edit- at some point I need to fix the leaking power steering pump as well. The car could use an ATF and front diff drain and refill as well.

[98legwag]

Changed the oil and filter. Rotated the tires. Changed the front rotors and bedded the new ones in. And of course I forgot to take pictures for Hinyo.

[Hinyo]

Guess it never got done than! =P

[98legwag]

Took the wagon to a meet tonight. Two guys actually asked me questions about what I had done and how some of it was done. One guy actually recognized that the headlights and fog lights are JDM.

[foohfooh]

Love a 2nd Gen with a clean front end!

Btw. I am a huge fan of that bronze leggy your parked next to. I have a 1000 photos of it saved on my phone lol. Does he have a build thread somewhere on the Internet? I've looked on lgt.com but can't find anything.

[98legwag]

Love a 2nd Gen with a clean front end!

Btw. I am a huge fan of that bronze leggy your parked next to. I have a 1000 photos of it saved on my phone lol. Does he have a build thread somewhere on the Internet? I've looked on lgt.com but can't find anything.

The picture makes it look a lot better than it is. You cannot see it in the picture, but recently it got barely hit. There is small indentation and scratch from the other car's license plate on the front bumper.

I don't think he has a built thread anywhere. But he is a friend of mine and I know a fair amount of what he has done.

[98legwag]

This turd bucket took 5 tries to start this morning. It gets power but the starter isn't turning. Tried starting it twice and no start. Before it worked if I put in drive then back in park. Tried that today and no start. Put it in neutral and no start. Turned the key one last time and it started right up.


Hmmmm.....4th gen wagons and Outbacks are getting cheaper.......

[Muse]

My driveway has a spot for this car, if you wanna let go. I'm just sayin'...
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[98legwag]

There are a bunch of people in line ahead of you

[98legwag]

Well, I am thinking its the starter. This morning I could hear it click but not crank. Then on the third turn of the key it fired right up.

[98legwag]

Here is an update. My boss let me out early yesterday so I stopped on the way home and got a re-manufactured starter. A friend helped me take the old one off an bench test it. The first 6 tries on the bench test and it worked great. He then got curious and opened it up. No obvious issues there either. He then put it back together and BAM. It did exactly what it was doing on the car. The rod would pop out, but not spin. It did that 3 times in a row. After that we put the new starter on. Here is to hoping its fixed.

[98legwag]

No changes with this car lately. It has gone through a few left front calipers in the last year to year and a half. I have replaced all the soft brake lines, calipers, pads, rotors, and master cylinder with in the last 15 months and yet the left front still makes considerably more dust than the right front. I figured out the relay for my JDM fog lights failed so I need to replace that. I still need to replace the right front cv axle. It is still rusting on the driver's side quarter panel. I am still thinking about whether I want to spend money fixing the issues with this car or save it towards and eventual replacement for this car. Maybe a BH Outback H6. Or if I could find a really good deal, a BP Outback 3.0R.

[98legwag]

Ordered the gaskets and springs bolts to replace the annoying rattling exhaust on this car. The wrx muffler that is on it is rattling off the body due to the shape of the hangers that were bent to make it work. Oh yeah, that muffler is welded to the mid pipe. Now I need a new mid pipe and muffler. A lesson learn, don't cheap out on fixing stuff.

[98legwag]

Just got done changing the exhaust on the wagon. I got a Bosal mid pipe and Bosal muffler from Rock Auto. No more rattling makes me happy.

[Somac]

Out of curiosity, which Bosal pipes are they? I was looking at just getting a Bosal replacement midpipe since it was so cheap but couldn't find much information on it. Is that one an OEM replacement or is it different?

[98legwag]

Out of curiosity, which Bosal pipes are they? I was looking at just getting a Bosal replacement midpipe since it was so cheap but couldn't find much information on it. Is that one an OEM replacement or is it different?

I got OEM style replacement parts.

[98legwag]

Removed all the broken photo links from Photobucket. Any new pictures will be added from here on out.

[98legwag]

Well, the alternator lasted about 3 years and less than 30,000 miles. Its making a lot of noise so a new one was ordered last night. This car will be needed a timing service at some point this year. But with the quarter panel rust I will be debating whether or not I want to put the money in the car to do the timing service.

[98legwag]

Gotta love spending money to replace parts that were replaced less than 3 years and 20,000 miles ago. In addition to the alternator starting to fail now both rear calipers are seized open. New ones are in route.

[98legwag]

All the new parts are here. They will be installed on Saturday.

[98legwag]

A good bit of work got done on the wagon today. Also found more parts that need to be replaced. Today the rear brake calipers got replaced with re-manufactured parts from Power Stop. All the Stop Tech brake pads were replaced with Hawk HPS pads. The alternator was replaced with an oem re-manufactured one. The accessory belts for the alternator and power steering pump along with the one for the AC got replaced. Here is picture of the car on jack stands.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2018/02/DwHCbJG-1.jpg

Here is a picture of the passenger side LCA. Anyone want to get why it will be replaced along with the driver side LCA and the ball joints?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2018/02/MpMmx0E-1.jpg

[Reuben]

Yummy!!! That must be great for handling, will be light weight.

[98legwag]

Yummy!!! That must be great for handling, will be light weight.

Yup. Weight reduction bro! I parked the car until I get new LCAs and ball joints. I am going to order them this week. I have put 150,000 miles on the car and its at 193,000 miles and the ball joints have never been replaced. Might as well do that too.

[98legwag]

The new LCAs and ball joints arrived today. Too bad I am sick as a dog and don't want to do anything.

[Omega79]

Pictures will be needed when it's back on it's wheels. I'm late to the party!

[98legwag]

Pictures will be needed when it's back on it's wheels. I'm late to the party!

I still need to install the new LCAs and ball joints. I may get to it this weekend. Here is a picture from about 2 years in the mean time.

2681

[Go Mifune]

Looking forward to your success with the LCAs as I'll be yanking mine off sometime this spring.

[98legwag]

Well, I needed to get new transverse link bushings for when I change the control arms. Turns out the Whiteline ALK is cheaper than oem bushings so I am going with that. I ordered part # KCA361 which is the comfort kit.

[98legwag]

Its a sad day. The point has come where I feel this car is not worth fixing anymore with its list of issues. The main issue being rust followed by the amount of oil it leaks now. The new parts I had bought but not installed are either being returned or will be listed for sale. I will keep the car around until something major breaks, but that is it.

[98legwag]

Well, it became official last night. This car is no longer mine. It went to a good home with a friend who is going to fix most of the issues the car has. I drove this car from MD to Utah and back. I took it on numerous other trips. I made some good friends because of this car. Its a little sad to see it go. But it will get the work it deserves.

[98legwag]

Not sure if anyone knows this. Hinyo is the new owner and he has fixed up the wagon a bit.