Lancaster6's 04 USDM Lancaster6 - Stuff and Things

[Lancaster6]

Yikes, there are some cobwebs starting to build up in here!

Not much has been going on with the BH as it's been tasked with the responsibility of shuttling me back and forth to my internship. I'm thinking of a set of eyelids if I can find some for the right price, but it's still just a thought.

I did get a chance to take some photos of it this afternoon though! It's nice to get out of work early for a change (thanks Obama).
Der langsame Auto by ConnorSouchek, on Flickr

Der langsame Auto by ConnorSouchek, on Flickr

[soba noodle]

Nice, really like tastefully dropped outbacks!

[Lancaster6]

Thanks man!

Now if you could just put your BH on a boat and send it to me, that'd be great.

[Lancaster6]

Did a quick oil and air filter change on the ol' H6 today. I'm switching to Rotella T6 after hearing fellow Subaru owners, NA and forced induction folks alike, singing its praises.

I've heard various claims from the oil giving people crazy wicked power gains to the additional phosphorus/zinc and whatever keeping the internals in good order. While the former seems stupid, the latter definitely seems plausible. Maybe the car will sprout wings and allow me to fly over all the idiots on my drive to work tomorrow morning.

And side note...I have to jack the car up to change the oil now. #lowlife



I'll rotate the tires when I feel like breaking out the jackstands again.

[Lancaster6]

My new Lancaster grille as well as a few Japanese Lancaster6 brochures arrived in the mail the other day. I'll snap a pic as soon as this rain stops...

[admiral snackbar]

I've been using T6 for a few years now, and I love it. The engine is quieter, burns almost zero oil and it's cheap.

[Lancaster6]

I'm coming up on 5000 mi on that oil and I've got no complaints with it! I too have noticed that the engine is quieter, which is a nice plus.

[Lancaster6]

First of all I'd like to thank the people of SL-I for carrying my BH to ROTM victory! That was cool to see after all the hard work that I've put into it.



Last weekend was a much needed, quite overdue oil change. Then of course came a quick car wash and a little photo shoot. The skies were wicked cloudy and I was losing light way too fast to get the quality of shots I was aiming for, but I think these still turned out pretty nice.

SB2 by ConnorSouchek, on Flickr

SB1 by ConnorSouchek, on Flickr

[Lancaster6]

So I've been hearing this clicking/popping/snapping/creaking sound coming from the front driver side wheel area for a little while now. After getting home from work tonight I took the wheel off and began to investigate the potential sources for this dreadful sound. As I suspected, the CV axle has some play and makes an audible thunk when moving it from side to side.

My extensive research into the matter led me to believe that this is in fact not normal! I ordered an OEM remanned axle and related hardware which will hopefully be here before Christmas so ol' soobs can go under the knife before I go on vacation and then back to work.

To top off my evening, I rotated the tires since I already had the jack and stands out.

[Lancaster6]

While waiting for my axle to show up I cleaned my IACV today in an effort to fix an occasional erratic idle on cold starts! I soaked it with gasoline and it flushed so much crap and grime out of it. No wonder idle would sometimes be pushing 2200+ rpms on cold starts...the valve that's attached to the shaft thing had so much carbon buildup that it would get stuck.

Reinstalled it and took it it for a test drive. Not only was the idle smooth as silk, but a slight hesitation on acceleration issue is gone as well. Hooray for cheap and easy fixes!

Dirty gross IACV


Shiny and clean IACV

[rkrenicki]

I should probably do this on mine too.. mine has been idling oddly when really cold lately.

[Lancaster6]

It was extremely easy...the only pain in the arse is that the screws are very soft. A pair of vise grips helped immensely as too much force on any of the screws would have stripped them.

[98legwag]

I had to do that on my 98 last winter. It got bad enough to throw a CEL. I had a friend help me get the IACV off then cleaned it with carb cleaner. I also changed the PCV at the same time.

[Lancaster6]

I was able to get my clunking CV axle replaced today! I was surprised with how stupidly easy this job was on my BH. I took her for a test drive after getting everything buttoned up and that horrible clicking/clunking sound is gone. Badda bing badda boom.

[Lancaster6]

South Jersey FINALLY got a measurable amount of snow! Sadly no hooning was to be had. But on the bright side Stockton cancelled classes for the day.



In other BH news I attempted to replace my ball joints which promptly turned into a shit show. Pinch bolt snappage was only one of a myriad of issues. I eventually just had it towed to my mechanic so he could take on the second ball joint (which he had an even worse time with).

[Odycee]

So how easy was it to remove CV axle? Did you remove 2 lower strut bolts or LCA?

[Lancaster6]

It was extremely easy. I removed the castellated nut for the ball joint and dropped the control arm away from the hub. I didn't want to mess with the strut bolts and have to deal with realigning the car, especially since no one around me wants to align with cars on coilovers.

[Lancaster6]

I stumbled upon a thread on NASIOC about a switchblade key fob kit that used a 2009 Legacy key fob module. I did some research and eventually figured that the 09 Legacy fob would work with my OEM Alpine alarm system and bought the parts for it. I was right! I got the kit assembled, the key cut, and now I have a clean looking flip key for less than $50. I'm certainly down with that.

Key2 by ConnorSouchek, on Flickr

Key1 by ConnorSouchek, on Flickr

[MRLancaster]

Your car makes me jealous!

[MRLancaster]

I love the flip key btw!

[Lancaster6]

Your car makes me jealous!

Thanks dude! I'm quite happy with how she's coming along.

And I'm still keeping my eyes open for clean BH's being put up for sale in my area! Nothing yet...but when I see one you're getting a prompt text! Hahah.

[Lancaster6]

Today I replaced my scratched up A-pillar trim with some almost new looking pieces found at a junkyard. I also installed this little guy that I got from Yamazaki. I love stuff like this, since it's the little details that really pull everything together. However a much better mod also bought from Yamazaki is currently in the works!! Over the next couple of weeks there might be some progress, so stay tuned.

[98legwag]

Very nice. I am assuming its the mod you were talking about the meet yesterday?

[Lancaster6]

It certainly is! I can't wait to get it installed. The first day I get it will probably be spent staring longingly at it lol.

[Yamazaki]

It certainly is! I can't wait to get it installed. The first day I get it will probably be spent staring longingly at it lol.

Ha ha ha, I know I did! It really is a great improvement and will add to your car nicely.

[rkrenicki]

I still do...

[Lancaster6]

From the 3rd Annual SL-i Meet! Photo creds and a thank you goes out to @kcowles for the photo of my BH...I wish it looked this clean all the time!

[Lancaster6]

I'm extremely happy to report that aside from commuter duty the Lancaster has a new responsibility; hound hauler! I adopted a retired racing greyhound over the weekend and he loves riding in the car. And due to wagon awesomeness I can easily put his crate in the hatch and strap it down feeling confident that he's safe.

Mods to come include a beautiful BFM and maybe some tints.

And a pic of my adopted grey:
Kona1 by ConnorSouchek, on Flickr

[98legwag]

Very nice. My neighbor only adopts former racing greyhounds. Its odd, the two she has now get along great with each other but not any other dogs.

[soba noodle]

You're my hero! Mine is a whippet taxi