The Curse of the Baja CONTINUES!

[Subie_Sleeper68]

GRRRRRR The service dept. at work has just informed me that the "Vibration" I've been feeling for the past few days is not ONE but BOTH front axles! I run 245 45 18 tires on 18 X 8 rims. They are saying that even though I'm not at the 5/60 part of the POWERTRAIN warranty yet I might not be covered because of my mods. I work here for gods sake. Any a-hole off the street would get taken care of. $300 and change per side. I'm so pissed right now words can't convey it

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[shipjumper]

that should not affedt axles, but SHOULD affect wheel bearings, unless you are running proper offset.

subarus hate the wrong offset. 18 x 8 should get you 45mm offset i believe....

[JLBaja]

Oh, I think you've conveyed how pissed you are just fine. For sure, we all feel your pain. Is this how they treat all of their employees and customers?

Originally Posted by Subie_Sleeper68

GRRRRRR....I'm so pissed right now words can't convey it

[subeman90]

which dealer...this is info I like to keep in the back of my head

[deadlydave]

That sucks, i'm running the same size tire wheel combo...

[Subie_Sleeper68]

I work at Becker in Allentown Pa. It's where I bought it. I became a salesperson a year and a half later and wanted to work here. Customer service for regular folks is great here. The policy on modded cars is strict. They push stuff through for customers because they might get a bad survey that affects the dealer. They know that as an employee I wouldn't DARE send in a bad survey. The offset is fine. My torque to the wheels is well over 300. I will have exact #s and a dyno sheet after the 20th. The tech in the shop said that both front shafts have slop in them. Not a lot but enough to feel under acceleration in a turn. His theory is that the open front diff lets the insde wheel light up when I pull out of a turn. Then the shock of getting grip when the car gets straight again is doing BAD things. If the cv joints are just worn they'll cover both axels. If there is any sign of TWISTING in the axle (80% chance by the techs guess) I'm out a ****load of money. I'm taking the Baja to another dealer on Tuesday. My friends wife is a service writer there. She already told me that the'll cover it one way or the other. If they are twisted it's a one time only "amnesty" kind of deal. So I'm covered once no matter what. THe funny thing is that I get my Forge Performance wastegate actuator and Prodrive boost control solenoid put on and re-tune on the 20th. more boost = more broken parts. I LOVE irony. 20-21 pounds here I come MUAHAHAHAH!!

[bulwnkl]

I'm going to take a contrary view here, I think.

What's the issue?
You're putting far more torque through the axles than the truck was built for, but you are demanding that Subaru cover a failure? I'd have some sympathy for you if there was some kind of evidence that this 'wear' was because both axles were made improperly rather than them failing from you doubling the design-torque through them. And, you're saying that your dealer is willing to work with you on that front.

Absent that, you're coming across as just another whiner who wants to avoid taking responsibility for the mods you've made, and make the price of a new Subaru higher for the rest of us.

What did I miss in this story?

[deadlydave]

Have you looked into upgrading axles? If you have to bite the cost, do it right.

Also, your front inside wheel does 'light up' under hard accelleration pulling out of a corner--it is definitely pronounced and feel-able on my Baja, which is probably putting down less power than yours, but we auto-x on inconsistent pavement. I also have the coilovers which make it easier to get weight off the front inside tire during cornering.

[subeman90]

hmmm i'm not sure what to say here. One thing I will say is that they wouldn't dare ever pull that on me...I've bought 3 new subarus from Becker. (02,04,05)

i got to say that maybe an upgrade is in order but also let it rumble a little it isn't like these things are soft plush caddys you know.

[Subie_Sleeper68]

Originally Posted by bulwnkl

I'm going to take a contrary view here, I think.

What's the issue?
You're putting far more torque through the axles than the truck was built for, but you are demanding that Subaru cover a failure? I'd have some sympathy for you if there was some kind of evidence that this 'wear' was because both axles were made improperly rather than them failing from you doubling the design-torque through them. And, you're saying that your dealer is willing to work with you on that front.

Absent that, you're coming across as just another whiner who wants to avoid taking responsibility for the mods you've made, and make the price of a new Subaru higher for the rest of us.

What did I miss in this story?

You hit it pretty much on the head. EXCEPT
Making the price of a new Subie going up is not even remotely the case with fixing a modded car under warranty. The car company has set timelines and mileage restrictions for warranty work. The VAST number of people who don't mod their cars are afforded the warranty protection Subaru calculates for having to fix a certain % of cars. If they covered EVERY modded car breakdown within our 3/36 or 5/60 it would have a small effect on MSRP if any at all. MY gripe is that I see cars come in and out of here with way more mods than I have and get the work done under warranty. 1 time only repairs under full warranty = trans, rear, front diff, axle, turbo, engine internals etc... I work here and get "Sorry it's because of the mods" Some people who are repeat offenders get cut off... rightfully so. I'm just bitter that it's ok for people who come in off the street to get taken care of but they wont hook me up.
As far as stronger than stock units goes. They would be custom and stupid money. After the new ones go I'll be able to swing it... just not now

[Subie_Sleeper68]

Originally Posted by deadlydave

Have you looked into upgrading axles? If you have to bite the cost, do it right.

Also, your front inside wheel does 'light up' under hard accelleration pulling out of a corner--it is definitely pronounced and feel-able on my Baja, which is probably putting down less power than yours, but we auto-x on inconsistent pavement. I also have the coilovers which make it easier to get weight off the front inside tire during cornering.

Coilovers are planned for April. My point in the last post is also that I'm going to another dealer and they're taking care of it. Tuesday I'll have new ones. I'm not saying anything to the service manager. I'm not gonna be a jerk and rub it in his face but if he asks me about it down the road I'll tell him that I had to go to another dealer.

[Cody]

I replaced one front axle recently with a new NAPA one. The part was ~$100 (they also have "rebuilt" ones for ~$50). They're way thicker than OEM. I assume that means they're stronger, but not sure. Probably not relavent, but just a thought.

[Subie_Sleeper68]

Originally Posted by Cody

I replaced one front axle recently with a new NAPA one. The part was ~$100 (they also have "rebuilt" ones for ~$50). They're way thicker than OEM. I assume that means they're stronger, but not sure. Probably not relavent, but just a thought.

WOW $100!!! I'll look into them when my new set wears out again. LOL
I'm definately getting them on Tuesday , under the 5/60 powertrain warranty. My service manager isd just power tripping I guess. It's weird though.... He's a really nice guy to me.. untill I break something.

[bulwnkl]

Originally Posted by Subie_Sleeper68

Making the price of a new Subie going up is not even remotely the case with fixing a modded car under warranty.

Of course it is! They're fixing things that owners broke! The warranty is for things they didn't build or assemble correctly.

Originally Posted by Subie_Sleeper68

The car company has set timelines and mileage restrictions for warranty work.

Yes, and federal law specifies what they must cover AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO COVER YOU FOR WHAT YOU BROKE. They only have to cover what they didn't build or assemble correctly.

Originally Posted by Subie_Sleeper68

If they covered EVERY modded car breakdown within our 3/36 or 5/60 it would have a small effect on MSRP if any at all.

Bull****! It has a significant effect, especially on turbo Subarus. This is like saying that hey, just because I pocket a Hershey bar every time I fill up with gas, it's not like the price of the Hershey bars goes up; I mean everybody does it. You prove this point yourself with this classic:

Originally Posted by Subie_Sleeper68

The VAST number of people who don't mod their cars are afforded the warranty protection Subaru calculates for having to fix a certain % of cars.

Exactly. And that percentage is altered significantly by the times they fix things that weren't their responsibility in the first place.

Originally Posted by Subie_Sleeper68

MY gripe is that I see cars come in and out of here with way more mods than I have and get the work done under warranty. 1 time only repairs under full warranty = trans, rear, front diff, axle, turbo, engine internals etc... I work here and get "Sorry it's because of the mods" Some people who are repeat offenders get cut off... rightfully so. I'm just bitter that it's ok for people who come in off the street to get taken care of but they wont hook me up.
As far as stronger than stock units goes. They would be custom and stupid money. After the new ones go I'll be able to swing it... just not now

Here I have a little sympathy. It's extremely frustrating to see everyone cheating, and seeing the dealers apparently facilitating the cheating.

Your last 2 sentences are the crux of the matter: You don't have the money to modify your truck AND accept the responsibilities that come with the mods. You made the mods anyway, and now you want me and everyone else to bail you out.

[Subie_Sleeper68]

I work at a dealer. If you knew (you may know, I'm not sure and won't second guess here) how much markup there is on the cars, the warranties, the interest rates, and other servicies you might be able to see why I feel that covering modded cars with a one time freebie on parts that break (many dealers already do this) won't impact the sale price. if you look at a Subaru model linup brochure for 2009 (the same at every dealer) there are pictures of wrx's and sti's doing dougnuts in the snow. In our advertising! If someone takes a stock car and goes out ripping in the snow and catches a dry spot thus breaking something they'll try not to cover it. there are pictures that the techs have of what to look for for abuse to not do warranty work. You are right in the fact that it is cheating and I'm pissed because as an employee I am not able to get the work covered here. BUT as a sales rep I KNOW that the average price of wrx and lgt models has stayed pretty much the same with minor increases due to inflation. The 09 wrx is more because of the one year run and upgrade that we did from 08 to 09. If dealers are doing this all the time for regular customers to keep a good relationship and get good surveys (which we have agreed happens) where is the huge increase in price? It doesn't happen because it's worked into the price of the cars. I have my (biased because I'm pissed lol) view and you have yours. We can agree to disagree and move on.

[Cooter13]

Originally Posted by Subie_Sleeper68

I have my (biased because I'm pissed lol) view and you have yours. We can agree to disagree and move on.

I have no dog in this fight, but great last couple of sentences. No flames, just an outright honest opinion and discussion.

[BajaGuy68]

I must have one of the Best Subie dealerships in my area! Before I started slightly- modifing my car(air intake,cat-back exhaust,rims&tires), their mechanic said if I ever had a problem...lets say..water sucked up into my motor...just to put the stock air-intake back on the car and they'd cover it! Even though they knew what was on the car(my Mods!),their mechanics would say "It was'nt modified" to the Subie Area Rep!
I think if you work with your dealership, they'll help you out. After all, you are giving them work and helping keep their jobs.

[yellowblaze]

Originally Posted by BajaGuy68

I must have one of the Best Subie dealerships in my area! Before I started slightly- modifing my car(air intake,cat-back exhaust,rims&tires), their mechanic said if I ever had a problem...lets say..water sucked up into my motor...just to put the stock air-intake back on the car and they'd cover it! Even though they knew what was on the car(my Mods!),their mechanics would say "It was'nt modified" to the Subie Area Rep!
I think if you work with your dealership, they'll help you out. After all, you are giving them work and helping keep their jobs.

Who the heck do you go to?? Northtown sucks. They won't even replace the tonneau on ours, even though I know several others have had them replaced under warranty (our 06 is under factory warranty sitll). Why? Because we bought it used and can't prove it was ordered from the factory that way. It's a Subaru part, and it's not like they aren't known for tearing in the corners-it's just a really bad design. SOA isn't helping either. Guess we'll buy an Ozzbros, I sure as heck won't pay for a Subaru one.

[deadlydave]

The big, big, big question I have is: What if your mods are parts from other subarus?

Obviously turbo/exhaust etc leading to engine failure should NOT be covered.
But what about stuff like brakes? I thought I had front diff issues at one point (turned out I had crappy wheel spacers so i ditched them and bought the proper wheels). At the time, my only mods were my front seats and 4-pot front calipers. I talked to a subaru dealer employee and friend who had no idea which way his dealership would rule on the matter.

The way I see it is that I fixed a problem subaru had--they put front brakes designed for a 3000-3300 pound car on a 3600 pound car. There have been several brake issues reported on these very forums in this very section with the stockers. Still don't know if a diff replacement would've been covered. I'd venture 'probably not' due to the spacers, but without them, who knows?

[BajaGuy68]

Your right (yellowblaze), Northtown Sucks! I only deal with West Herr ! WH has the Best mechanics and in my opinion, the Best Service Department!
This is my second Subaru purchased at West-Herr and it won't be the last!......They're Grrrreat!

[yellowblaze]

Subaru is notorious for being funny about mods. Even mods that don't have any possible connection to a failure. Funny for a company with such a rich heritage in Rally racing, but whatever.

West Herr is ok, but we tried to buy a Baja T there a few years ago and they wanted to give us less on trade for our 03 than we got now, with a lot fewer miles. Plus their Baja was overpriced and a bit beat up. Maybe we should go there for service though. As far as buying new or easier to find used, I'll probably take a drive back to Glanzmann in PA.

[Subie_Sleeper68]

Originally Posted by Cooter13

I have no dog in this fight, but great last couple of sentences. No flames, just an outright honest opinion and discussion.

THanks, that's just part of what the site is supposed to be. I'm totally cool with the guy. He has some valid points and I feel I do to. On the cost increase issue there's probably no way to prove or disprove it. Agreeing to disagree is the grown up way to handle it. We all love our Subies and this is one of if not the best site to learn from and help each other out.

[BajaGuy68]

Originally Posted by yellowblaze

Subaru is notorious for being funny about mods. Even mods that don't have any possible connection to a failure. Funny for a company with such a rich heritage in Rally racing, but whatever.

West Herr is ok, but we tried to buy a Baja T there a few years ago and they wanted to give us less on trade for our 03 than we got now, with a lot fewer miles. Plus their Baja was overpriced and a bit beat up. Maybe we should go there for service though. As far as buying new or easier to find used, I'll probably take a drive back to Glanzmann in PA.

You can buy a Subaru anywhere its true, but if you buy it and have it serviced at the Same dealership, they're a lot more willing to go the extra distance for you......well, in my case its true!

[iluvdrt]

Originally Posted by Cody

I replaced one front axle recently with a new NAPA one. The part was ~$100 (they also have "rebuilt" ones for ~$50). They're way thicker than OEM. I assume that means they're stronger, but not sure. Probably not relavent, but just a thought.

I agree. I have NAPA new axles as well, and they have been great! Plus they have a lifetime warrenty on parts and as long as you dont tell them you are putting down xxxhp they will just keep on changing them. I auto-x the crap out of my car, granted it doesnt have 300hp, but I have gone through 2 CV axles last year, and both were replaced for free (other than some garage time)

[Subie_Sleeper68]

Originally Posted by iluvdrt

I agree. I have NAPA new axles as well, and they have been great! Plus they have a lifetime warrenty on parts and as long as you dont tell them you are putting down xxxhp they will just keep on changing them. I auto-x the crap out of my car, granted it doesnt have 300hp, but I have gone through 2 CV axles last year, and both were replaced for free (other than some garage time)

I'm not sure if NAPA makes one for the Baja. Subaru doesn't even have a re-manufactured part number. Has to be new.