99 rs

Can you post a video of your engine running? Was it similar to my valve tick from the first page? Our loud valve tick completely disappeared with the new parts. I still can't explain why but at this point "if it ain't broke don't fix it".

Tighten the axle nut and let it run on it’s 4 wheels for the first time Hose off any bits …and done Can you tell I like wagons???? S4 is the 6 speed manual (the wife prefers the Subaru)

The sideskirt was also a bit loose on the front. It turns out the closest clip had come out and started to “fold” over. I stuck a pair of pliers in there over night and it was enough to keep it straight until the clip got pushed in. Most of my clips on the underside were missing. I ordered new ones I sprayed over this part to hopefully keep some rust away Bleed the brakes and drop the car down

One of our front parking sensors took a rock into it on the highway. I figured now was the time to change it. Plus having the bumper off gave me more room to work with and less worry about “leaning” on it

Broken tie rod boot New one installed This side all done with new brake line

This was sufficient enough to release the tension Had to grease it up again. Maybe because the new rubber was sticky? The reason I have more struts than necessary is I put some “drop in” struts in a pinch a few years back. I had the OEM ones sitting around. The springs on the drop in units were alright but very hard. Notice the quantity of coils between the 2 units. To give the same ride height the cheap ones have to be harder (bigger k factor).

Ordered in a new PCV at the same time After that was done start on the passenger side stuff. This time it’s easier since I didn’t the wheel bearing.

Installed for a second time

New brake line I actually ended up flipping the brake line since it kinked funny the way it was Take a break to install the new tensioner and idler that came in. Tensioner didn’t say Subaru on it and instead had a Bando label. It was made in Japan so I’m okay with it but I did laugh at the Chinese knock off where the just shaved away the engravings on their product.

New tie rods New calipers Looking fresh

Greased up the ball joint while I was in there This side was good but the other side was ripped. Tie rods are cheap enough New wheel bearing Clean up and lube up the axle and hub side. These things like to rust together solid

I am shocked the brake line came apart without stripping Super easy to torque the struts without the caliper in the way

Note I replaced the upper mount since my rubbers were rock hard. Here is a video of me just crunching them away. I suspect these were a part of my noise problem from the front of the car. The boy The girl

I greased up the upper side since the spring was catching on the rubber Bottom is seated in nicely

I did the wheel bearing too since I didn’t know if the heat boiled any grease away New parts Disassemble struts Super sketchy All done

Start with the brakes. The driver side was seized good

Did the rears too. Before And after

Before starting any dirty work we polished up the headlights since they were hazy. It turned out nice. 1000 grit (not the potatoes) 3000 grit Polishing paste Final coating Note the driver side IS NOT dirty. I actually just cleaned it in the picture. It’s just the polishing difference

And that’s basically it. Fill it with coolant. Fill it with oil and start cranking the engine. In this first video I pulled the fuel pump fuse and cranked it 3 times to build oil pressure and to lubricate the chain. In this second video is the actual first of the car. 2 weekends worth of work and sweet success! Notice in the video above that the valve tick is all but gone! I’m really happy I didn’t re-shim them. Then I noticed that the accessory belt tensioner shit the bed. Notice it jiggling when the AC loads and unloads it. Dang it…..this set me back a weekend since I had to wait for parts to come in (I wanted OEM). Oh well, what can ya do. Onto the brakes which were the actual problem!

And that’s basically it. Fill it with coolant. Fill it with oil and start cranking the engine. In this first video I pulled the fuel pump fuse and cranked it 3 times to build oil pressure and to lubricate the chain. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xl15Bz86moM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> In this second video is the actual first of the car. 2 weekends worth of work and sweet success! <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SRTZsPc60zU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Notice in the video above that the valve tick is all but gone! I’m really happy I didn’t re-shim them. Then I noticed that the accessory belt tensioner shit the bed. Notice it jiggling when the AC loads and unloads it. Dang it…..this set me back a weekend since I had to wait for parts to come in (I wanted OEM). <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4fp9C_FvVfI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XJiBa-YJdPg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Oh well, what can ya do. Onto the brakes which were the actual problem!

Love the Subaru emblem New filter because why not New radiator cap

New thermostat, oil cooler hoses (only ones I could see on parts diagram that was up), and radiator hoses.

New crank pulley seal I seriously doubt these straps were doing anything anymore New belt which I later had to take off. Turns out my tensioner had failed even though it was replaced 70k kms ago.

All bolted in I bought a new crank bolt since I’ve had bad experiences in the past. I didn’t want to chance it on this one and it was relatively cheap

Since the sealant dries and it’s a large piece I had my wife handing me the bolts as I put them on. There are only 3 sizes (plus one that has a washer – see the foreground). I just yelled “30”…then tightened it up. Then I yelled “45”….and tightened it up. Repeat until all million bolts are in. They are torqued to a super low spec. If you’re curious how far your dipstick dips. I know I was Sealant applied. Don’t forget the middle holes