Muse's 2000 Brighton wagon. Broken already.

[Muse]

Well, folks, it's been a long time since I posted here, but not much has been going on with my BK. It's been running, and rotting, and being a bit depressing. I made the decision to not put much more money into it, sold my Honda Del Sol, and picked up something new.

May I present to you, my freshly acquired 2000 Legacy Brighton.
It's got 209k miles, an automatic transmission, a transmission fluid leak somewhere, a busted radiator, supposedly an arcing coil, and a broken windshield.

It cost me $300.

I am already in possession of a set of leather seats (possibly heated?) for the front, a set of snowflakes with Tiger Paw tires, GT skirts, and a few other little odds and ends. I can't wait to get into this car.

[Muse]

Fresh off the tow truck, getting her home.

(Edit: why are my pictures coming out upside-down? I'm not in Australia...)

[Go Mifune]

Very exciting news! Brightons rule. I think you should base your build on that green turtle pool; perhaps as a hood ornament.

[thenines']

I haven't seen a brighton in awhile-glad to see you back on the forum-going to WBM?

[Muse]

Very exciting news! Brightons rule. I think you should base your build on that green turtle pool; perhaps as a hood ornament.
Haha, that pool isn't mine, so...

I haven't seen a brighton in awhile-glad to see you back on the forum-going to WBM?
Believe it! See you there?

[Muse]

So, about a year ago, I pulled an '02 GT sedan apart and scrapped it. I made a few half-hearted attempts to sell the parts I got, but wasn't really all that motivated to.

Thank. God.

It's as if I knew I would be getting this car. I saved the whole dash, considering swapping it into my BK, now this car has gouges on the dash and I don't have to hunt a new one down. I saved the cluster, and now I bought a tach-less Brighton. Well, not anymore! Broken binnacle? Replaced binnacle! Dry rotted tires on 15" steelies? Good tires on 16" snowflakes!

What has me a bit upset and baffled is that I bought it, having been told that it's puking coolant from the passenger side of the radiator... but it has plenty of coolant, and is not spraying. But it is leaking ATF from the power steering system. And there is a noise from the pump whenever I steer it. So, time to figure out a new mystery. Gonna do the radiator one way or another. Better safe than sorry.

[thenines']

YEP!-this year the asked what car you are bringing-listed the '91-not sure if I'll bring the '03 instead

[Huffer]

Sounds like the PS pump is on it's way out, or you have a leaking hose. Low fluid makes the pumps noisy.
Welcome back from the dead!

[thenines']

you need to make the MOMO shifter work on her

[Muse]

So, the power steering leak is, in fact, the seals inside the rack itself. so, that needs to be replaced. The Brighton has been sitting at my work for nearly 3 months, now, with me being too broke to fix it. and, now, just yesterday, I have been presented with a replacement rack! for free!

sort of.

I now am the proud owner of a 2007 STi steering rack. This means that I have solved one issue (not having a rack,) and dove headfirst into a new set of issues, specifically, not having a crossmember that it will fit! from all my research on this, it seems that, like the BBS wheels, only the 2004 STi rack is a direct replacement for the BE/BH. If you have a newer GD rack, you need to swap to a newer GD crossmember.

So, my options are, trade the rack away to someone for a normal Legacy rack, or source myself a '05+ GD crossmember.

I want this rack in my car... Let the hunt commence!

Also, I replaced the radiator, and immediately blew out the dry-rotted heater core hose... fun, fun.

Also, also, The banged-up hood has been replaced, once again, with a green hood, just like my BK. I guess I have a theme, now, or something...

[Tylerhartman]

I thought you could just swap the inner tie rod ends to 04 and be all good again?

[rkrenicki]

I thought you could just swap the inner tie rod ends to 04 and be all good again?

The tie rod ends do not have the oil seals on them, those are on the rack gear itself.

[Sub-Goon]

So, the power steering leak is, in fact, the seals inside the rack itself. so, that needs to be replaced. The Brighton has been sitting at my work for nearly 3 months, now, with me being too broke to fix it. and, now, just yesterday, I have been presented with a replacement rack! for free!

sort of.

I now am the proud owner of a 2007 STi steering rack. This means that I have solved one issue (not having a rack,) and dove headfirst into a new set of issues, specifically, not having a crossmember that it will fit! from all my research on this, it seems that, like the BBS wheels, only the 2004 STi rack is a direct replacement for the BE/BH. If you have a newer GD rack, you need to swap to a newer GD crossmember.

So, my options are, trade the rack away to someone for a normal Legacy rack, or source myself a '05+ GD crossmember.

I want this rack in my car... Let the hunt commence!

Also, I replaced the radiator, and immediately blew out the dry-rotted heater core hose... fun, fun.

Also, also, The banged-up hood has been replaced, once again, with a green hood, just like my BK. I guess I have a theme, now, or something...

What is the gain in putting in an '04 STi rack?

[Muse]

What is the gain in putting in an '04 STi rack?
The '04 rack is the one that fits into the Legacy crossmember. Mine, being an '07 is going to be more difficult, requiring a crossmember swap. But the advantage either way is quicker steering.

[Muse]

Well, the STi rack is a bit more of a project than I am able to tackle for now. It shall go on the parts shelf, for a later date. The BH is at the shop, right now, getting a stock rack installed. I should be on the road in it within the week. (I told my guy it's not a rush job.)

I am rather excited.

[Muse]

Quick update: rack has been replaced. Car drove nicely for about a week. Then, this morning, it did what EJ25s are best known for.

Right you are, ladies and gents. Head gasket popped. Because I can't have nice things.

My money is called for pretty solidly for the next 6 months, at least. I've got a few big debts to pay off, so she's parked up for some time, and before I even got to show her off. I'm... less than thrilled.

I've also got a set of Scion tC wheels for it, eventually. Need to get tires for them before I can use them though. But, for $80, I had to go for it.

[Muse]

Alllllllrighty then... Nearly 4 months later and... still broken. I haven't had the money to fix the car yet, and the '95 BK is still holding together (knock on wood,) so it sits. But, I have done something maybe a little foolish. but it's got me excited for this car again.

Lancaster flares.
They aren't even remotely a perfect fit, but with a bit of heat gun and a bit of cutting the stock USDM trim up to fill gaps, and maybe a bit of body filler, I should be able to make them look good.

Also including a few pictures of it just before it crapped out, freshly washed, with good tires on it, as well as a mockup/potatochop of the tC wheels on it.

[Go Mifune]

I like those wheels. I also like that I don't see any rust.

[Muse]

Well, it's been a while and... uh... not much progress has been made. I have acquired a 2001 Outback with a good engine, as a parts car, but I'm not in any position to do the actual work yet. I did, however pick up a green spoiler to match the hood, from a friend, as well as the Outback bumper from Rkrenicki's Outback. it survived the crash with the crash beam and fog lamps intact, and only some (fairly significant but not irreparable) scrapes on the bumper cover, so I'll be putting it to good use.