The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi guys, two things really - where can I get these illusive "Lock Washers" that go between the inner tie rod and the steering rack for my 2003 Forester? And once I assemble the new inner tie rod, what grease should I use ? BTW: I'm on the Mornignton Peninsula. Thanks for your support, kind regards, Dyr

Get in touch with Frog (Andy) on here and he should be able to get you some factory ones. I very much doubt you'll get afermarket ones but you could try someone that rebuilds power steering racks.

As for grease, where are you wanting to use the grease?

Hey RSR, thanks for the reply - I wish to use the grease on the inner joint itself [within the rubber boot]...subaru have 'Valiant Grease M-2' listed as the suitable product, but I can't find any stockists and i'm sure it would cost a bomb even if I could - so I suppose i'm after a good substitute. I'll definitely hit-up Frog for the Washers as i'm really desperate - Thanks again, Dyr

No probs Dyr

I would also ask Andy for this grease

Cheers,
Paul

RSR 555 wrote:I would also ask Andy for this grease

Me too! I'd ask Andy for anything Subaru you can't get from your trusted local parts specialist.

Cheers

Bennie

Cheers guys, Frog is indeed a legend! Thought I'd post a follow-up for those that find themselves in the same situation. Frog ascertained that Oz Fozes don't run the lock washer from factory, though OS models do; 'I'd prefer the OS method myself'. So in the end I just dribbled some 243 Loctite on her, and wound her up firm. This was for my vin - a 2003 X - but seems to hold true also for another 2003 XS, as well as another 2004 X. Cheers guys and thanks Andy

Yes he is and glad you got it sorted. Was Andy able to get the OS ones in? or would they not work on your Tie Rods?

I'm sure he would've been able to, though as Oz Subaru thought they were superfluous, I thought i'd go with their lead [...loctite was just a little insurance]. All the racks are the same, they have two little notches opposed to each other removed from the ends of the rack that fit the recessed lock washer into those gaps, and once the tie rod is nipped up to the rack with the washer in between, you fold the edges of the washer over the ball joint housing of the tie rod [the flat areas you can see in the photo which is also where you place your spanner].

...I suppose if your replacement rods didn't have the two flat areas, you wouldnt be able to run them -- short of grinding the housing either side. Anyway, I've subsequently discovered most mechanics do exactly as I did - some dont even add the loctite. Cheers guys

dyrgutt wrote:

Umm.. now I'm confused (but it doesn't take much), looking at this picture, aren't these the Locking Washers (next to the Tie Rod End Lock Nuts) that you are looking for?

Yep! They're what I was after, but as Subaru dont install them from factory on the 2003-2004 [...and possibly beyond] Australian Foz's -- Andy would've had to import them. Most t-rod kits from Taiwan etc. will have them [as per the photo], but as I already had a t-rod - I just wanted the washer, which Australian Subaru Dealers dont have. Hope that makes sense, cheers

Oh, I see.. Would earlier model ones fit?

May do, but not sure? Either way, so far so good - so thanks for all your help

No probs.. glad you got it sorted