98 Legacy 2.5GT

GuamSTI · 12-12-2010, 01:22 PM

Well I just bought this Legacy GT hoping to bring her back to glory. I will chronicle this build and any suggestions are always welcome.

First issue I need to address, any suggestions?

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GuamSTI · 12-12-2010, 08:16 PM

After a Shower:

GuamSTI · 12-19-2010, 02:38 AM

Got the car back on the road just 2 issues.

1. The lights flash constantly I think it is the factory alarm. I have the key for but I think it is broken. If it is is there a way to disarm this?

2. Everytime I turn the car fells like the diff's are locked. Is this normal or is there anything wrong?

Frogsthatmoo · 12-19-2010, 02:34 PM

1. Alarm module is by your feet next to the pedals. You'd need the remote to make them stop flashing otherwise. It should say "Alarm" on it somewhere and you'll know. Its really up under there though so bring a flashlight.

2. That's torque binding, it has to do with the transmission I believe. If you do a search for "torque bind" you should be able to find some good information. I can't really explain it well.

GuamSTI · 12-19-2010, 04:28 PM

Thanks, I hope that torque bind is not a major problem.

Jonathan · 12-19-2010, 07:12 PM

I bought a cheap beater rust bucket 1997 Legacy Outback wagon about a year ago that has been having "problems" with the hazard lights flashing (with out the hazard indicator light on the instrument cluster blinking)..

It does/did have the stock key less entry FOB, although the one I have for it is broken.

I had assumed I had some sort of a short in the electrical system.. and unplugged the battery terminals and just let the car sit for the past month or so...

If its just a FOB issue, boy do I feel stupid !

I guess I gotta purchase a new FOB for it.

Frogsthatmoo · 12-19-2010, 07:18 PM

Yeah, the hazard lights flash when the battery power is disconnected and then reconnected. And yes, the fob turns off the flashing.

[email protected] · 12-19-2010, 09:41 PM

the problems you're having with it shuddering sounds like torque bind.

basically, you're stuck in a 50/50 torque split. your rear wheels are trying to spin the same speed as the front wheels in a turn, causing your car to shudder. Look into replacing the Duty C selenoid or the center diff. Both can be done for under a grand.

As far as your hazards constantly blinking, check with your local subaru dealer. There is an open recall out on the hazard light switch. This may or may not be your problem but its worth looking into.

Sharp looking car btw. I have a 97 GT 5 speed.

here is mine. wrx wheels ftw

GuamSTI · 12-20-2010, 12:16 AM

Very nice I will be installing the OEM wheels from my STI soon as well as my spare OEM STI strut. Here are some more pictures of the work I did on it.

GuamSTI · 12-20-2010, 12:17 AM

If I drive this the way (torque bind) it is will it destroy something later on?

[email protected] · 12-20-2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuamSTI

If I drive this the way (torque bind) it is will it destroy something later on?

no. its just kind of annoying. i've heard of people driving like that for years. Its a very common transmission. Take a look around at junk yards. All of the Legacys and Outbacks from 95 - 99 use the same automatic transmission. You can probably pick up a center diff for a few hundred bucks. Its not too hard to change out either if you have basic mechanical knowledge.

Huffer · 12-20-2010, 04:27 PM

Actually it will destroy something - your tires. Your rear wheels, if locked in 50/50 mode, will turn at the same rate as your front wheels - which means your tires will scrub.

And that's just the cheaper item.

If you do have torque bind, it's very easy to tell by inserting the FWD fuse (I think 10amp) into the fuse holder in the engine bay on the passenger side firewall. It's hard to miss.

If inserting that fuse eliminates your tire scrubbing noise (the rear wheels binding) then you have two options: AT fluid change + Lubegard ATF Protectant OR buy a new DutyC solenoid and replace that in your transmission.

Personally, I've never had to do the DutyC route on any of the vehicles I've saved from torque bind. Look up some of my posts here regarding it, and also my posts on www.sl-i.net. I wont go over it in this thread again, because it's already been said.

Good luck though!

GuamSTI · 12-20-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

If inserting that fuse eliminates your tire scrubbing noise (the rear wheels binding) then you have two options: AT fluid change + Lubegard ATF Protectant

Sorry I got lost there in the terminology, Automatic Transmission fluid change + Lubegard ATF Protectant (additive right?)

I also noticed that the 2 rear tires are different from the 2 front tires. Although they are the same size they look diff in diameter. Will this have an effect as well?

Thanks a lot for your patience.

Frogsthatmoo · 12-21-2010, 01:55 AM

Yes, that will affect the car's transmission/diffs.

Over a period of time it can slowly damage and wear out parts depending on the size differences. Most people highly recommend changing out all 4 tires together and I also believe Subaru references that in the manual somewhere (but I could be lying). How much tread is left on all the tires (fronts and rears specifically).

GuamSTI · 12-21-2010, 03:55 AM

Fronts are new and rears are worn.

Huffer · 12-22-2010, 05:18 AM

Time for 2 new rear tires to match the fronts. Personally I would just buy 4 used tires with even treadwear, until the torque bind issue is fixed.

And yes, ATF = auto trans fluid.

GuamSTI · 12-22-2010, 07:56 PM

Thank you and I will take your advice, Merry Christmas! I drove her the other day and it was so nice to have an automatic with cruise control and a quiet muffler and best of all it is a Subie.

The only annoying sound was the ABS continously humming.

Jonathan · 12-24-2010, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogsthatmoo

Yes, that will affect the car's transmission/diffs.

Over a period of time it can slowly damage and wear out parts depending on the size differences. Most people highly recommend changing out all 4 tires together and I also believe Subaru references that in the manual somewhere.

My recollection is that Subaru says that there should be no more than 1/4 of an inch difference in circumference of the front & rear tyres. Personally I *think* this may be an overstatement, and that Subaru's AWD system can handle a fair amount of difference (although its maybe a bad idea to test these "limits"). At any rate it is a good idea to rotate tyres front to rear on a regular basis so as to prevent variations in tyre sizes.

In addition to exchanging Automatic Transmission Fluid and adding "Lubegard", I would have the Transmission filter exchanged with a new one.

GuamSTI · 12-25-2010, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonathan

My recollection is that Subaru says that there should be no more than 1/4 of an inch difference in circumference of the front & rear tyres. Personally I *think* this may be an overstatement, and that Subaru's AWD system can handle a fair amount of difference (although its maybe a bad idea to test these "limits"). At any rate it is a good idea to rotate tyres front to rear on a regular basis so as to prevent variations in tyre sizes.

In addition to exchanging Automatic Transmission Fluid and adding "Lubegard", I would have the Transmission filter exchanged with a new one.

I will have the filter replaced as well. I just finished aligning the RH headlamp since it was pushed in. Now the decision is do I replace the hood with a metal one or go carbon fiber? Anybody know where I can get a carbon fiber hood?

Merry Christmas!

Jonathan · 12-25-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuamSTI

Now the decision is do I replace the hood with a metal one or go carbon fiber? Anybody know where I can get a carbon fiber hood?

Merry Christmas !!!

What is wrong with your existing hood ? Might it make more sense to repair/adjust it then looking for a replacement ?

GuamSTI · 12-26-2010, 03:24 AM

It has a dent on the front part of it and now that the radiator support and headlamps are aligned it would not close anymore. If I fixed it would have to get some bondo on it and this might eventually crack. I was working on the front brakes today and the slider pins were stuck so I slowly turned then and pushed them in and out unfortunately when I was down to the LH front brakes the lower slide pin broke.

Now I could not get the broken portion out this means I will need a new/used caliper bracket with the slide pins, dust boots, etc. Anybody have one lying around?

GuamSTI · 12-26-2010, 06:43 PM

I noticed a 96' LGT had no hood scoop. Is the hood scoop a distinct feature on the 98' LGT? Is the hood interchangeable with the 96' wagons?

Jonathan · 12-26-2010, 07:45 PM

Only the 1997 through 1999 USDM Legacy GT, Outback and "SuS" model Subarus had the (non-functional) hood scoops. These hoods were based on Japanese, European and other market turbo-charged cars with the top mount Inter-cooler (TMIC) for providing a denser and cooler charge of compressed fuel-air mixture to the motor.

Applying bondo to your hood would be a very bad thing. Careful use of a large, heavy sledge-hammer in a properly controlled environment *might* help to restore the curvature to your hood so it will close properly, on the other hand you risk really stretching the metal to the point that it will never fit properly.

Yeah, you could install a non-scooped hood from a 1995-1996 Legacy, or a 1997-1999 Legacy Brighton, "L", "LS" or "LSi", however the getting the paint to match up properly might take a fair amount of work.

I don't think that your shade of "Reo Red" was used on the earlier model Legacys.

GuamSTI · 12-27-2010, 01:05 AM

Yes the car needs some body work on it since there are some small rust spots that need to be fixed and painted. Thus the hood will get painted too but I could not find one with a hood scoop although non-functional it is to me a Subie trademark and it would be nice to keep.

My biggest problem now is the brakes and I need to buy a new (refurbished) or used one as long as they ship to Guam via USPS Priority mail.

GuamSTI · 12-31-2010, 07:06 PM

I found a new caliper at the local NAPA store. The car is now at the shop for body and paint. Now the question is do I keep the OEM 16" rims or install my 17" STI BBS rims? I could paint the 16" gun metal to make it loook more up to date. My 17" STI came from my STI which are gold on color.

Happy New Year to all!

12-12-2010, 01:22 PM	#1
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	98 Legacy 2.5GT Well I just bought this Legacy GT hoping to bring her back to glory. I will chronicle this build and any suggestions are always welcome. First issue I need to address, any suggestions? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-26-2010, 03:24 AM	#21
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	It has a dent on the front part of it and now that the radiator support and headlamps are aligned it would not close anymore. If I fixed it would have to get some bondo on it and this might eventually crack. I was working on the front brakes today and the slider pins were stuck so I slowly turned then and pushed them in and out unfortunately when I was down to the LH front brakes the lower slide pin broke. Now I could not get the broken portion out this means I will need a new/used caliper bracket with the slide pins, dust boots, etc. Anybody have one lying around? Last edited by GuamSTI; 12-31-2010 at 07:07 PM.

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12-12-2010, 08:16 PM	#2
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	After a Shower:

12-19-2010, 02:38 AM	#3
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	Got the car back on the road just 2 issues. 1. The lights flash constantly I think it is the factory alarm. I have the key for but I think it is broken. If it is is there a way to disarm this? 2. Everytime I turn the car fells like the diff's are locked. Is this normal or is there anything wrong?

12-19-2010, 02:34 PM	#4
Frogsthatmoo Scooby Specialist Member#: 153374 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ocala, FL Vehicle: 2001 Outback Wagon White	1. Alarm module is by your feet next to the pedals. You'd need the remote to make them stop flashing otherwise. It should say "Alarm" on it somewhere and you'll know. Its really up under there though so bring a flashlight. 2. That's torque binding, it has to do with the transmission I believe. If you do a search for "torque bind" you should be able to find some good information. I can't really explain it well.

12-19-2010, 04:28 PM	#5
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	Thanks, I hope that torque bind is not a major problem.

12-19-2010, 07:12 PM	#6
Jonathan Scooby Guru Member#: 4021 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Natick, MA USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy GT Ltd Quick Silver Metallic	I bought a cheap beater rust bucket 1997 Legacy Outback wagon about a year ago that has been having "problems" with the hazard lights flashing (with out the hazard indicator light on the instrument cluster blinking).. It does/did have the stock key less entry FOB, although the one I have for it is broken. I had assumed I had some sort of a short in the electrical system.. and unplugged the battery terminals and just let the car sit for the past month or so... If its just a FOB issue, boy do I feel stupid ! I guess I gotta purchase a new FOB for it.

12-19-2010, 07:18 PM	#7
Frogsthatmoo Scooby Specialist Member#: 153374 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ocala, FL Vehicle: 2001 Outback Wagon White	Yeah, the hazard lights flash when the battery power is disconnected and then reconnected. And yes, the fob turns off the flashing.

12-19-2010, 09:41 PM	#8
[email protected] Scooby Newbie Member#: 261585 Join Date: Oct 2010 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Atlanta, GA Vehicle: 1997 95 Legacy EJ20R Red	the problems you're having with it shuddering sounds like torque bind. basically, you're stuck in a 50/50 torque split. your rear wheels are trying to spin the same speed as the front wheels in a turn, causing your car to shudder. Look into replacing the Duty C selenoid or the center diff. Both can be done for under a grand. As far as your hazards constantly blinking, check with your local subaru dealer. There is an open recall out on the hazard light switch. This may or may not be your problem but its worth looking into. Sharp looking car btw. I have a 97 GT 5 speed. here is mine. wrx wheels ftw

12-20-2010, 12:16 AM	#9
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	Very nice I will be installing the OEM wheels from my STI soon as well as my spare OEM STI strut. Here are some more pictures of the work I did on it.

12-20-2010, 12:17 AM	#10
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	If I drive this the way (torque bind) it is will it destroy something later on?

12-20-2010, 04:27 PM	#12
Huffer Scooby Specialist Member#: 36735 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wellington,NZ / Willoughby,OH Vehicle: 99 GF8 Impreza 2.0 2= 1998 BD + BK Legacy GT	Actually it will destroy something - your tires. Your rear wheels, if locked in 50/50 mode, will turn at the same rate as your front wheels - which means your tires will scrub. And that's just the cheaper item. If you do have torque bind, it's very easy to tell by inserting the FWD fuse (I think 10amp) into the fuse holder in the engine bay on the passenger side firewall. It's hard to miss. If inserting that fuse eliminates your tire scrubbing noise (the rear wheels binding) then you have two options: AT fluid change + Lubegard ATF Protectant OR buy a new DutyC solenoid and replace that in your transmission. Personally, I've never had to do the DutyC route on any of the vehicles I've saved from torque bind. Look up some of my posts here regarding it, and also my posts on www.sl-i.net. I wont go over it in this thread again, because it's already been said. Good luck though!

12-21-2010, 01:55 AM	#14
Frogsthatmoo Scooby Specialist Member#: 153374 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Ocala, FL Vehicle: 2001 Outback Wagon White	Yes, that will affect the car's transmission/diffs. Over a period of time it can slowly damage and wear out parts depending on the size differences. Most people highly recommend changing out all 4 tires together and I also believe Subaru references that in the manual somewhere (but I could be lying). How much tread is left on all the tires (fronts and rears specifically).

12-21-2010, 03:55 AM	#15
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	Fronts are new and rears are worn.

12-22-2010, 05:18 AM	#16
Huffer Scooby Specialist Member#: 36735 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wellington,NZ / Willoughby,OH Vehicle: 99 GF8 Impreza 2.0 2= 1998 BD + BK Legacy GT	Time for 2 new rear tires to match the fronts. Personally I would just buy 4 used tires with even treadwear, until the torque bind issue is fixed. And yes, ATF = auto trans fluid.

12-22-2010, 07:56 PM	#17
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	Thank you and I will take your advice, Merry Christmas! I drove her the other day and it was so nice to have an automatic with cruise control and a quiet muffler and best of all it is a Subie. The only annoying sound was the ABS continously humming.

12-26-2010, 06:43 PM	#22
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	I noticed a 96' LGT had no hood scoop. Is the hood scoop a distinct feature on the 98' LGT? Is the hood interchangeable with the 96' wagons?

12-26-2010, 07:45 PM	#23
Jonathan Scooby Guru Member#: 4021 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Natick, MA USA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy GT Ltd Quick Silver Metallic	Only the 1997 through 1999 USDM Legacy GT, Outback and "SuS" model Subarus had the (non-functional) hood scoops. These hoods were based on Japanese, European and other market turbo-charged cars with the top mount Inter-cooler (TMIC) for providing a denser and cooler charge of compressed fuel-air mixture to the motor. Applying bondo to your hood would be a very bad thing. Careful use of a large, heavy sledge-hammer in a properly controlled environment might help to restore the curvature to your hood so it will close properly, on the other hand you risk really stretching the metal to the point that it will never fit properly. Yeah, you could install a non-scooped hood from a 1995-1996 Legacy, or a 1997-1999 Legacy Brighton, "L", "LS" or "LSi", however the getting the paint to match up properly might take a fair amount of work. I don't think that your shade of "Reo Red" was used on the earlier model Legacys.

12-27-2010, 01:05 AM	#24
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	Yes the car needs some body work on it since there are some small rust spots that need to be fixed and painted. Thus the hood will get painted too but I could not find one with a hood scoop although non-functional it is to me a Subie trademark and it would be nice to keep. My biggest problem now is the brakes and I need to buy a new (refurbished) or used one as long as they ship to Guam via USPS Priority mail.

12-31-2010, 07:06 PM	#25
GuamSTI Scooby Newbie Member#: 210071 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: International Location: Guam Vehicle: 04 STI White	I found a new caliper at the local NAPA store. The car is now at the shop for body and paint. Now the question is do I keep the OEM 16" rims or install my 17" STI BBS rims? I could paint the 16" gun metal to make it loook more up to date. My 17" STI came from my STI which are gold on color. Happy New Year to all!