Rittmeister

I actually have a few different balljoint separators, but I wasn't comfortable with the way they fit (or didn't) so I didn't give them a go. Maybe I'll try one when I get new balljoints to put in hehe.

Found what I needed. Thanks folks.

Cool, thanks. I'll give it a try - I'll be replacing either the joints or the dustboots before long

Where do you hit it? Like, in what direction? I'm a reasonably accomplished shadetree mechanic but I have never run across this. I tried my ball joint separators but they didn't fit properly, hence the fork. Also, does hitting the ball joint area work for things like steering tie rods etc? I have worked on cars that have aluminum knuckles, I think hitting those would be a no-no... *not trying to refute you, I'm honestly just looking for more info. This is a new one on me.

I just wrapped up installing the Whiteline W53353 bushings in my front control arms. Bolts were TIGHT... To get the arms out of the car, of course, I had to get them off the balljoints at the bottom of the knuckles. The castle nut came off with little trouble and my pickle fork made quick work of separating them, but I mangled the dust boots in the process. I've heard that it's easy to break the pinch bolt to get those balljoints out, so I'd like to replace just the boots. The joints move freely/smoothly and the grease I can see is nice and clean - and the boots were perfect before. Can anyone give me a part number for the boots, or recommend an aftermarket replacement? Failing that, a part number for the balljoints (and the pinch bolts) will have to do. I'd like to take care of this in the next few weeks. Any help appreciated!

I'm aware, but I don't need that level of adjustability, nor do I need the extra expense. Really trying to find out if anyone can speak to the two units above. I used Megan on another car in the past and was very satisfied but not sure if they're still available, hence my question.

Anyone have experience with these: https://www.truhartusa.com/product_p/th-s110.htm They look very similar to the Megan arms, which I used on my old car successfully. I'm planning to lower my current 09 Outback using Legacy components and I want to be able to dial the camber correctly. Also found these: https://godspeedproject.com/subaru-legacy-bl-bp-2004-09-adjustable-rear-camber-arms-with-spherical-bearings.html Anyway - the Megans seem to be getting harder to find and more expensive, so I'm wondering if anyone's used these arms and if so what the experience has been. Thanks!

Much as I want to sell these, I think they're only a direct fit in '08-'09. I am totally guessing here, but I think to put them in a 05-07 you'd need the driver's lower dash, glovebox, and center console. However, I'm strictly speculating and I don't actually know.

As title states. I have a complete 5-piece set of silver dash trim from my '09 Outback. No shift knob. I believe this will fit '08 and '09 cars. The steering column and glovebox pieces are near-perfect, while the two radio trim pieces do have some wear. I tried to catch this in the pics but the lighting doesn't show it well. I am only trying to be up-front about the parts' condition. All brackets are intact and all clips are included. Asking $65 shipped OBO in CONUS for the lot. I will not split them up. Please PM if interested. Thanks!

Found what I needed. Mods please lock. Silver trim for sale soon...

I'm aware - but I can source them pretty easily. I really want to find the strut/spring assemblies here if possible.

Looking for complete strut/spring setup from a 05-07 LGT wagon to use in lowering my '09 Outback. Ideally I'd like to have all four strut/spring assemblies with tophats etc all removed and still put together. Let me know what you have. I'm in Cincinnati OH. Thanks!

Car sold locally. Thanks!

I just picked up an '09 Outback. It has the aluminum-look trim on the dash and I'd like to replace it with wood-looking trim. I know this is the reverse of what most folks do but I have my reasons I would like all five pieces. Two on either side of the radio/shifter, two on either side of the steering wheel, and one at the top of the glovebox lid. I guess if you have a matching shifter I'd take that too. I don't want the pieces by the door handles, I understand all the doorcards have to come off for that and I'm not keen to do that much. I think this stuff came in several different colors and I'd prefer either the darker wood or the wood that has the reddish tint to it (see pic below, it's not my car, it's what I'm after). I suppose I'd be willing to trade my silver trim; it's in good but not perfect condition. Also, if anyone can give advice on swapping the trim on the glovebox and by the steering wheel I'd appreciate it; I assume it just pries off but I'd like to verify and haven't been able to. Let me know what you have!

****************CAR IS SOLD**************** Year, Make and Model: 2012 Legacy 2.5i Premium Color: Ruby Red Pearl over black fabric Miles: 62k miles Transmission: 6-speed manual trans Title: Clean Lien: None Location: Cincinnati OH VIN: 4s3bmac61c1005578 Seller's email address: kwstine1@gmail.com Asking Price:$10,000 OBO It's time to put my 5th gen up for sale. I purchased this car in June 2018 from my father when he decided it was no longer good for him to drive a manual transmission. It's been a great daily but my lifestyle/family really require a wagon. I've picked up an Outback and the sedan sadly has to go. 2012 Legacy 2.5i Premium Winter package (heated mirrors, seats, wiper parking) Fold-down rear seats Bluetooth/USB/aux inputs for stereo Fog lights Mods andAccessories: Clear-bra on hood, roof, front fenders, door closings, mirrors, headlights Koni WRX dampers (fronts in brand-new KYB housings) H&R Sport lowering springs STI rear sway bar STI front strut bar STI short shifter w/Perrin brass shifter bushing 2013 Legacy wheels, refinished in metallic silver powdercoat Perrin washable air filter (in stock airbox) Borla exhaust tip STI aluminum pedal covers STI leather/aluminum shift knob Redline Goods black leather shift boot w/red stitching WeatherTech laser-cut rubber floor mats front and rear Factory carpeted floor mats (included) Subaru factory rubber trunk mat Maintenance: Oil has been changed every 3k miles with quality conventional motor oil and filters (usually Valvoline and STP respectively). Nexen tires were installed in December and have only a few thousand miles on them. Included: Spares (factory suspension, pedals, carpet floor mats etc.) Perrin filter cleaner Misc other items The not-so-good: The car has two parking lot issues. There is a good-sized door ding on the driver's door, and a scrape on the right corner of the rear bumper. Both issues happened while the car was parked either at work or shopping and neither time did whoever did it stick around unfortunately. Since neither affected drivability/usability (that is, both were purely cosmetic) and I'd have had to claim it on my insurance, I've not had them repainted. See pics for the details. Other than these two marks and 8 years worth of use the paint is in decent shape, and definitely shows up nicely in the sun. Overall this car is about 9/10 interior and 8/10 exterior. I'm told the color combo plus the manual trans is somewhat rare for whatever that's worth, and that it has the "good" fog lights from the pre-2013 cars. It has very low mileage for the model year and was maintained very well by both my father and myself. My price is negotiable and I'd like to sell to an enthusiast; Dad was pretty bummed when he had to let it go, and I'd keep it but for the fact that it's not a wagon and I need more space. Thanks for looking!

Dragging this back up. I'd like to eliminate the DRLs in my new 2009 OB. I see above that cutting the red wire on the white DRL module plug will do it. I have run into several mentions in other locations where folks talk about cutting a blue/black wire instead, which I see also in the picture above. Can anyone clarify? Thanks!

Forgive my ignorance - sedan or wagon? I'll be in the market soon for a complete LGT wagon setup for '06-'09.

OK folks, I have searched and read so much my eyes are crossed, and I still have this question - I'm hopefully about to buy a 2008-9 Outback and I want to lower it using LGT components (stock wagon springs w/Koni inserts). The question is: will I have wheel/tire clearance problems if I run this combo with stock Outback wheels and tires? I have actually found multiple instances where people say there's no problem, and it seems just as many where the answer is that there will be issues. I'd really appreciate it if anyone could clear this up for me. Thanks!

Thanks for all the help. Looks like my LGT struts/springs idea will work. Next question - will I run into wheel clearance issues? I want to just run stock Outback wheels and tires. I can't remember if I had that issue with my 2000. I think not, but I wonder about the newer chassis. Any help appreciated, again.

Thanks for that - I did see that one. It's a stick, and a turbo, which I'm avoiding, and though it's in nice shape it's a bit far away as well. Still looking...

I need to get back into a wagon! Here's what I'm looking for: -08-09 Outback. Not interested in 2010 or newer, or 2007-older. -2.5i only please - no H6 or turbo. -Prefer under 100k, will consider more miles if timing belt etc have been done. -No rust please - this is for daily/dadmobile duties, must be solid and safe. -Automatic trans. -Must have winter package - heated seats/mirrors/wiper dock. -MUCH prefer a car without moonroof but again, will consider one. -Would prefer manual climate but will consider auto. -Prefer without nav but probably a non-issue. -Will consider cloth or leather interior. I'm in Cincinnati Ohio, will consider anything within about two hours' drive (Dayton/Columbus/Indy/Louisville/Lexington etc). Further than that is unfortunately not feasible for my life and schedule. I do have a budget in mind but would like to see what offers may appear. It is possible that I might be willing to offer my 2012 Legacy 2.5i 6MT in trade; it is in very good condition, only 60k miles and tastefully modded so I would probably be asking for several thousand cash on top of an Outback based on model years/mileage and some research on KBB/NADA etc. So - PM me or email kwstine1 AT gmail DOT com if you have a car to sell. Thanks for your time!

I am considering purchase of a 2008-9 Outback wagon in the next few months. I had a 2000 OBW that I lowered using Legacy components - legacy struts, legacy H&R sport springs, Megan rear upper arms for camber adjustment, and rear tophat spacers from Anderson Design Fab. I also removed the Outback bumpstops. Never did replace them with the smaller Legacy version but I never bottomed out either... I plan to follow a very similar pattern with the new car - Legacy struts (probably with Koni inserts) etc. I have a few questions after reading through this extensive thread though. 1. I plan to go with LGT wagon springs, as opposed to going even lower like I did with the old car. I have NO desire to go through swapping all the chassis and drivetrain spacer blocks for Legacy parts. Since I'm only going down to stock Legacy height, I'm assuming this is OK? I never did anything like that on the 2000 and I had zero problems. 2. Rather than swapping bumpstops, is it possible to trim the Outback ones shorter? If so, how much can you cut off, and what might be best to use to do the cutting? Hacksaw? 3. Regarding rear alignment and all I've read about ghostwalking here and on the Outback board - as mentioned, I'll go with Megan or similar upper control arms for camber adjustment but I'm curious if anything else is needed for toe adjustment. 4. Finally, also regarding the rear alignment issue - in my area I'm fairly limited to chain tire shops (Tire Discounters in particular, as well as Bob Sumerel). There are one or two race shops but the cost is prohibitive. One close to my house has been good to work with on several cars; what would be the easiest way for me to approach them about setting the car up properly once the parts are installed? It'll be used for daily driver and dad duties, so my priorities are safety and tire longevity in that order; it'll be wearing all-season or winter tires and 10/10 handling is not on the list I just want to know what to communicate to them as far as alignment values, and how much weight to throw in the back before taking the car in. This thread is awesome - just looking for the latest and greatest. Any help appreciated, and thanks for your time.

I'm interested by the statement about the 3.0 being more reliable. I'm well aware of the 2.5 headgasket issue... do the 3.0 headgaskets fare better than the 2.5? My gut says the boxer configuration would be equally hard on headgaskets regardless. I do know the 3.0 has a timing chain instead of a belt, so that must help a lot. Honestly, even if it's more reliable, I'd be concerned about future parts availability considering that the 3.0 and the 5-speed auto trans are just way less common than the 2.5.

Thanks for all info so far. I'm looking for a 2.5i - might consider a 3.0R. No turbos, I've played that game before and don't want to mess with it for a daily driver. I like the look of a lowered Outback over a regular Legacy wagon, and while it's not too hard to find an Outback where I live the Leg wagons are pretty rare. This also isn't my first rodeo with a Subaru (had my old OB for 7 years, plus most of the rest of my family runs Subarus also). I'm under the hood most weekends to look things over - thanks for the good advice though, it always bears repeating Any other info gratefully received.

Hey all. I ran a 2000 OB wagon from 2012 to last summer. It was lowered on Legacy KYBs and H&R lowering springs, and had a few other minor mods. Loved it. I got to where I felt it was old enough that I should get something newer/safer for dad duties, and planned to get an 08-09 OB, but at the same time my father decided to get out of his 2012 Legacy sedan and I bought it instead. I have had it a little over a year and a half and have realized I should have said no to my father and gotten another wagon - so now I'm looking for a wagon Specifically, you guessed it, an 08-09 Outback. I'll sell the Legacy and bank the difference if things go well. I have similar plans to the old one, and therefore some questions: 1. Lowering. I plan to do 05-09 Legacy GT Koni shocks, KYB or similar front strut donors for the inserts, and factory Legacy GT springs (instead of full-on lowering springs like my old car). Can anyone give me a good source for the LGT wagon springs other than hoping for used ones to pop up? I've heard of Annapolis Subaru but am curious about other OEM part sources. 2. Radio. I test-drove an '08 just yesterday though I don't plan to buy until February or so. It had the HK stereo and the sound was OK by me, but I'd like a newer headunit with Carplay or similar, and/or navigation, and a reverse camera. Crutchfield indicates that in a car with normal climate controls this should be no problem. I'm looking at a car or two with automatic climate though, and Crutchfield seems to think that replacing the headunit in these cars is impossible. A cursory search tells me that running the JDM faceplate will cure this problem. I'm kinda just wanting to verify that here, and ask a good place to source one if needed - any advice appreciated. 3. Sunroof. If I have my way, I'll find a car without the huge sun/moonroof, but I'm wondering - do they have many problems? I've had several cars with moonroofs over the years and never actually had a problem; the size of this one though makes me wonder if it might leak or have operation issues. Again, any info appreciated. 4. Navigation - this is another "I don't really want it," I'd rather have the dash cubby, but should I end up with the nav I'm curious if it's any good. Can anyone tell me how it holds up against modern units? Is it even a touchscreen? How does one update the maps etc? And if it's not great, how much of a pain is it to remove and replace with the cubby? Finally, is there anything specific I should look for while inspecting potential purchases? Trouble areas for rust, etc? Thanks for any and all input!