My 04 FXT

[bratman18]

I really don't think both on the same side were bad. The diff isn't moving much at all. But if I upgrade to the R180 I am putting in the STI rear crossmember as well, to gain the Impreza style diff mount, so the bushings can be upgraded

[Berge56]

yea I would think the same. Something else isn't right though.

R180 would be a nice upgrade however.

[bratman18]

Agreed on both

[bratman18]

Ok so I have a lead on what "might" be wrong. Not going to say what it is yet, but I will be installing something this weekend that will hopefully take care of the issue. I really hope so. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[jwebsta32]

Can't cross my fingers if I don't know what you are doing.

[bratman18]

Lol, just cross them in hopes that what I'm doing fixes my problem!!

[1982gl4]

Crossed, it leaves me wondering though... Whatever it is I hope it works!

[powdahbonz]

You have a really nice ride in that FXTi. I'll have to check that out next time I head up to Belfast.

[bratman18]

You have a really nice ride in that FXTi. I'll have to check that out next time I head up to Belfast.
Thanks! Yeah feel free to send me a pm next time you're up this way!

[jwebsta32]

Can I stop crossing my fingers now.

[bratman18]

Can I stop crossing my fingers now.
:lol:

Not until tomorrow afternoon!! That's when I will be working on it!!!

[bratman18]

You can uncross your fingers. It didn't work. I had a set of STi lateral links installed today. They are a slightly different length than the stock ones, so it was thought that since the axles are slightly different than it would correct the issue. It did help a little, but the terrible vibration is still there. Anyone have and extra grand laying around to donate towards an R180 swap?

[Berge56]

Check ebay... sometimes you can find some good deals.

[bratman18]

Check ebay... sometimes you can find some good deals.

My internet has been down so I haven't been on.

But, yeah I have a good price on the rear diff, but it's the axles that are quite costly.

[Berge56]

yea they are! Good luck mang.

[bratman18]

So today I installed a different R160 that uses the male ended axles, actually used my original FXT rear axles. Seems quite a bit better but still has some of the weird vibration.

What was/is happening is, the inner cup on the axle is extending so much, that the clip that holds the cv joint inside the cup was popped out, allowing for the shaft to actually slide out of the joint, and slip, which was causing terrible noises. It only happened when there was weight on that corner, like when taking off and turning. So it appears that the axles are too short. Not really sure why, especially now that I have the exact same axles in the car, as were in there originally. It certainly isn't as bad, but it is still doing it a little. So it is fixed...sorta for now. At least my axle isn't going to blow up.

[boxer3maine]

axles too short as oem.


this goes to show subes getting older just get fatter. :lol:

is there any other steel that can stretch out?

[bratman18]

The thing is, all R160 EJ axles should be the same length. It's the same exact same rear suspension design in all of them!

[bratman18]

I just received a down payment on my BRAT, and took that and put a deposit on some stuff for the Forester. Hoping to get rid of this issue once and for all!

Parts I'm getting:

04 STi R180 rear diff
04 STi rear axles
04 STI rear hubs with full Brembo rear brake assemblies.

Everything should go in pretty easily now that everything involved has been taken apart very recently. My only concern is that I will have nearly the same size rear rotor as front LOL. But if it proves to be too much of an issue, I will have to try to get some smaller rotors to fit the WRX 2 pot rear calipers. But I'm hoping it will be fine.

[Berge56]

oh you bastid. :lol: Congrats dude.

[bratman18]

:lol: Really wasn't something I was planning on doing anytime soon. But it seems as though it had to be done. I thought about the driveshaft shop axles, but then I thought about the fact if I break one, I am screwed. They have no warranty, and they are expensive. If I break am STi rear axle, they are much cheaper and easier to come by. I just hope this ends the issues!!

[bratman18]

All paid for, should get the parts next week!!

[jwebsta32]

They have a one year warranty.

[bratman18]

They have a one year warranty.

Oh cool, I was told they didn't have one at all. Well that's better than nothing. I just decided to go this route because cost was about the same, and replacement parts are readily available. I just hope it all pays off

[bratman18]

Stuff will be here Thursday!

[bratman18]

It actually came early, quite a surprise to come home and see a bunch of boxes on my porch!! I'll add pics in a few

[bratman18]

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/124.jpg?t=1311804767

[Berge56]

:munch: Now go install it!

[bratman18]

Hopefully soon

[bratman18]

Front Brembos on the way as well. I hope this is done soon.

[serioussubaru]

Front Brembos on the way as well. I hope this is done soon.
like

[bratman18]

I hope I like them too!!

[bratman18]

Everything is getting installed on Sunday!

[yaya]

Nice! I did practically the same upgrade 1 year ago today.

Start spraying the lateral links where they meet the hubs with PB blaster now, then again a time or two before you go to install...

[bratman18]

The lateral links were just replaced a few weeks ago, and the big ass bolts replaced too!! So that will make the job much easier this time around!! I am really hoping this fixes the issue, and definitely looking forward to having a MUCH stronger drivetrain.

[yaya]

^That will make it much easier.

[bratman18]

Front Brembos are here!!! I'll get pics at some point.

[1982gl4]

Sweet, you going to powder coat them or anything fancy :cool:

[bratman18]

Not at the moment. They will be going on as is. But hopefully in the future I will be able to

[bratman18]

Leaving in a few to go install everything!!

[1982gl4]

Sweet! Can't wait to see some pics!

[bratman18]

So everything is installed. And it works great! Still a slight weird vibration, but not bad, and I don't have the same fear about things braking as I did with the other stuff. Brembos are awesome, I get a slight vibration from the front rotors, but I am going to get them turned at the same shop I was at today. The only thing that was at all a pain was the rear ABS sensors. The STi hubs didn't come with them, so I had to transfer them over from my old hubs. And the ebrake cables were a ***** to get back into place under the carpet, but we got it. Overall it wasn't bad at all, it helped that everything has been apart numerous times over the past few months, but the parts are a great improvement over stock. Even got it a little slideways on the way home. Now I hope everything continues to hold together!!

I meant to take pics of the process, but it didn't happen, and I still have to get pics of the Brembos, I'll get to it.

[bratman18]

A couple pics

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/018-1.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/024-1.jpg

[bratman18]

Won an STi gas pedal on ebay for 10 bucks, which is cheap compared to what they go for. I wasn't really looking for one, but figured why not. So I installed that today. Ooooo shiny.

I still have a few things to install, so maybe within the next few weeks, some of it will get done.

And the only real big job to be done in the future, is to replace the clutch. The brand new one that went in with the 6 spd is terrible. It chatters so bad, that I just don't want to deal with it. So I got a steal on a brand new 6 spd clutch kit, and I have an STi flywheel as well, so I just need to get that refinished, and then find someone to help me install it. At this point, I can't afford to pay for anything to be done, so I will have to do it myself/get help from the great people on here! Haha

And I'm still waiting to here back from ROTA about the wheels flaking. Hoping they are going to do something for me, since wheeldude flat out wouldn't do anything. They have terrible customer service. They were rude, and just didn't even try.

And the things I need to get are brake pads. Found a great deal on turninconcepts for front and rear stoptech pads for 90 shipped!! That's cheap for decent Brembo pads. And then maybe a Group N tranny mount to take care of some of the drivetrain slop.

And should be picking up a set of new winter wheels this week. Picking up a set of 17x8 OZ Chrono HT's with 215 50 17 Blizzak w60's already mounted. Should make a decent winter set up, and they clear Brembos!

[1982gl4]

Brakes looks sick! I want some.....

[bratman18]

Yeah I will get better pics at some point, just been busy, and the car is dirty as hell! But thank you, they work great!

[1982gl4]

Yeah I hear that, I haven't been washing anything lately. Too much working, and not enough cleaning and taking car of my own stuff. And with school coming up again in a week, it's not likely to help that at all.... Glad to hear they work well, Someday when the brat's done the wrx will probably get some along with some other goodies, for now gold paint may have to do!

[Berge56]

group n mounts are nice! Very happy with mine. Did you weird clunking noise go away?

[bratman18]

Yeah I don't have any clunking noises, only had one a while back that was resolved with the outrigger bushings, but I still have some of that weird vibration. I am at a loss at what it could be, everything has been changed, but I have a lot more confidence that nothing will break as easily now that I have all the STi stuff in there.

And as for the group N tranny mount, I just picked one up last night for a steal!! So that should be here this week, and installed maybe this weekend.

[bratman18]

Got the group N tranny mount today, will probably be installed by this weekend

[bratman18]

Picked up my new winter set up last night. 17x8 OZ Crono HT's. Should make a pretty decent set up, and they clear Brembos, which is all I was really after. I'll get pics soon.

[bratman18]

So I learned over the weekend that the reason I have a bad vibration/noise is because I need to use a Forester auto driveshaft, not an Impreza one. The Forester one has a lower mounting point than the Impreza one, so it drops the driveshaft down to have the correct angle coming out of the transmission. So to just test the theory I added a few washers to drop it down a little, because I don't have a Forester driveshaft yet. So today I drove the car to work and that is DEFINITELY the issue. Just the 2 or 3 washers I used on each side, was enough to help. So, I either need to find a Forester driveshaft, or find longer bolts, and use a few more washers. It will be nice to have it back the way it was.

[Berge56]

excellent smithers!!!

[bratman18]

New winter wheels
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/006-1.jpg

And a couple new pics
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/007-2.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/008-3.jpg

[1982gl4]

Looking good. I really like the new winter wheels. I have found it easier to just swap cars rather than wheels or tires now :rofl:

[bratman18]

So Gabe hooked me up with an older Forester auto driveshaft. Finally got it installed today and it's fixed!! That was the issue all along. Something as stupid as a slightly wrong angle on the driveshaft caused all this. I'm jut glad it's fixed. I did find that the mouting ears are smaller on the older ones, so I had to modify them to work, so it would be nice to find a driveshaft out of an 03-08 Forester auto, but this will do for now!

[Berge56]

updates?

[bratman18]

Nothin. Just been driving it back and forth to work (3 minute commute) and to get my daughter on the weekends. It's going good, still a bunch of stuff to do to it, but now working 6 days a week, having my daughter on Sundays, and not having a hand in installing parts, it looks like it may be a while before anything actually gets done. But I'm hoping something will.

[MikeyMeyagi]

at least i know for in the future about that stupid driveshaft issue haha

[bratman18]

Yeah, I know if you ever do another Forester 6 sod swap, the same mistake won't be made!! Lol. It is different if you use STi crossmembers and such, but with my combo, you need the Forester auto driveshaft. It goes great now that the issue is solved though!

[MikeyMeyagi]

glad its fixed dude!

[Bu11dogg2]

So I learned over the weekend that the reason I have a bad vibration/noise is because I need to use a Forester auto driveshaft, not an Impreza one. The Forester one has a lower mounting point than the Impreza one, so it drops the driveshaft down to have the correct angle coming out of the transmission. So to just test the theory I added a few washers to drop it down a little, because I don't have a Forester driveshaft yet. So today I drove the car to work and that is DEFINITELY the issue. Just the 2 or 3 washers I used on each side, was enough to help. So, I either need to find a Forester driveshaft, or find longer bolts, and use a few more washers. It will be nice to have it back the way it was.


did you use a auto WRX drive shaft or auto impreza?

Both have VERY different mounting brackets.

[MikeyMeyagi]

both. first was a impreza 2nd was a wrx

[Bu11dogg2]

Damn.

I know I sold him an auto impreza one but didn't realize he had a WRX one too.

I'll update the 6speed swap thread

[Berge56]

What are you planning to install? Sounds like you need a garage day. :)

[bratman18]

Damn.

I know I sold him an auto impreza one but didn't realize he had a WRX one too.

I'll update the 6speed swap thread

The mounting points are the same on WRX and Impreza. The Forester on allowed the driveshaft to be dropped down more for less angle coming out of the transmission. It's all good now though, but very good to know for the future!

[bratman18]

What are you planning to install? Sounds like you need a garage day. :)

I still have motor and tranny mounts to install, an STi intake manifold, step colder NGK plugs, a newer updated coolant reservoir, and I know there are a few other things too. Yes a garage day would be awesome, and when I had more time I was trying to get one together locally, but it never happened. But now, I will have very little time until after the first of the year.

[Berge56]

Anything new going on with this toaster?

[bratman18]

Not a whole lot. Got registered and have driven it a few times, but it has mostly been sitting this winter. Still have all of the above to install.

[bratman18]

Finally paid the bank loan off this week!

[1982gl4]

Such a good feeling!

[yaya]

Congrats!

[k2blt]

^^^ congrats on owning the fxt! Does more $ = more parts?

[bratman18]

Thanks guys, yeah it is a good feeling. Unfortunately other than the parts I have waiting to go on, I probably won't be spending much on this. With newborn twins in the house now, and one income, this was paid off to eliminate a bill to make each month easier. I'm sure things will still happen, but nothing is really planned as of now.

[k2blt]

I know the feeling... kids change/rearrange priorities. I've got a 12 month & 3 year old. I traded in my stage II LGT my '11 hatch. Didn't want to poison the kids with the catless set-up. Family provides highs no car could ever match. Enjoy the lil' ones & the fozzy!

[Berge56]

Congrats and good luck.

[bratman18]

Summer mode but still dirty......
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/459363_279131795494315_100001924897445_643108_1903 677208_o.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/462535_279184515489043_100001924897445_643190_2136 415148_o.jpg
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab239/ForesterXT/474574_279132592160902_100001924897445_643112_9694 07103_o.jpg

[Berge56]

Looking good!

[bratman18]

Thank you sir.

[bratman18]

Had a few parts dropped off last night by a certain someone (Gabe) and hopefully it's not too long before they go on. I just need some more funds before they can.