Sunday, bloody Sunday.

[Stu1]

After having my 97 Forester for a few weeks now, it was time to start fixing up a few things.

Overhead clock
The clock on the overhead console worked when I first drove it home, but hasn't worked since. Checked the fuse first, no problem there. So I checked on the web and found an posting on Subamods about dry joints in the Forester clocks. So after poping the clock out, opening the back the unit, sure enough one of the components on the circuit board was half hanging off. A quick soldering job and all fixed.

Brakes
The brakes had been squealing since I got the car a montha ago, so rather than stuff about, I decided to change all the pads. Started with the rears, not to hard. Using a pair of screwdrivers to seperate the pads before sliding back over the disc was a pain. I will have to get some of those brake pliers for that next time.

Front brakes were a cow. There was no comforatable place the caliper while working on it and the new pads would not clip in. They appear to be exactly the same as the old pads, but a quick measure shows the tabs at each end of the pad to be about .5mm to big. I will have to file them down and try again.

Valve cover
The driver side valve cover has been leaking slightly. Picked up a kit from Coventry's, undid the 3 bolts holding it on and placed the new rubber gasket in place. Easiest job of the day.

Oil and filter change
I don't know when it was last serviced and since I was taking the valve cover off...time to change the oil. Trick for young players however, make sure the rubber seal for the old filter comes off. I screwed the new filter in, filled the oil up and started her up to the sound of squirting oil....at least I know the oil pump is good. Looked at the old filter and spotted the rubber seal missing then the penny dropped. New filter off, pulled the erant rubber seal out and replaced everthing. So I used 5L of oil to fill a 4L sump, but hey, it works.

Next on the agenda, tyres, wheels and the rear sway bar. It drives like a boat at the moment.

Till the next exciting episode.

Stu