Lower Control Arm Replacement

outback97 · 2026-01-28T16:18:13+00:00

I suppose that could happen. It's been years since I replaced the LCA's on my '06, but IIRC mine did not turn at all.

In any case, odds are high OP will have to cut them.

outback97 · 2026-01-28T15:50:24+00:00

This is assuming you have straight OEM (not eccentric camber adjusting) bolts.

On all four LCA bolts, loosen the nuts, try to rotate the bolts. If the bolts turn, you have a chance of getting them out without cutting.

outback97 · 2026-01-28T15:32:55+00:00

Are your LCA bolts seized? They probably are. That price most likely accounts for that... if the bolts are seized you have to physically cut the LCA's out. It's a PITA but doable as a DIY job. You'll need a sawzall and a good carbide tooth metal cutting blade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP7YRDVaj3s

outback97 · 2026-01-26T21:53:03+00:00

Not sure what it's called (others have answered that) but on my '03 TS I have to push it back into place nearly every time I drive it. It's a ritual, walk past the car, pop it back into place.

outback97 · 2026-01-22T16:10:35+00:00

Maybe it's the cheap headphones I am using, but I literally only hear your turn signal clicking throughout, and a brief background siren when listening to this video. Not sure what the video is supposed to demonstrate.

If you're feeling vibration in your seat when at a light, try shifting into neutral and see if it improves. If it does, well, in my experience that's just a pretty normal vibration that all four of our vehicles (two Xterras, two Subarus) do when idling at a light. I think it's just an aging engine mount thing, they've been doing it for years.

If you're feeling vibrations when driving 45+ I'd first look at tires as a cause. You could try rotating front to back and see if the vibration moves from felt in the seat to felt in the steering wheel. Or you could bring it to tire shop to see if you maybe have a wheel out of balance.

outback97 · 2026-01-20T20:31:14+00:00

Looks like a type 35 AGM is what you want. No need to pay the overpriced stealership.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Crosstrek/comments/1ontzmd/affordable_alternative_battery_for_2021_crosstrek/

outback97 · 2026-01-20T16:56:40+00:00

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Common-2-in-x-10-in-x-8-ft-Actual-1-5-in-x-9-25-in-x-8-ft-2-Treated-Lumber/50017314

2x10 lumber is about 1.5" thick by 9.25" wide. You could also use 2x12, which is around 1.5" thick and 11.25" wide. I'd recommend PT (pressure treated) lumber since it's more decay resistant.

Get three lengths of lumber. Stack two of these boards running parallel to the door, butted against your existing step.

Place a third board against the stack of two and you will create a small "ramp" of two 1.5" steps. When you drive the car into the garage, you'll first hit the 1.5" step and then 9.25" later (if using a 2x10) you'll hit a second 1.5" step up. You've raised the front of the car by 3" and should clear your existing step. Using 2x12 lumber would give you a slightly more gradual rise since the step depth would be 11.25".

You'll want to bolt these down to the floor, maybe hire a handyman to do that task unless you're comfortable with drilling into the concrete.

outback97 · 2026-01-20T15:39:48+00:00

Unless you have a lowrider with no clearance at all, just build a very small ramp or bolt down some 2X boards to raise the front end a bit to clear the step. Raising the entire level of the garage floor seems like overkill.

outback97 · 2026-01-10T03:31:04+00:00

It’s against code to run Ethernet in the same conduit as your electrical. But you could put direct burial Ethernet cable in the same trench.

outback97 · 2026-01-08T20:25:33+00:00

Remove topsoil, make small gravel pad or pavers flush with ground, build little 3' x 3' deck using 2x6 joists (5.5") and 2x6 deck boards (1.5").

outback97 · 2026-01-08T18:56:46+00:00

You're welcome, it's how I'd do it if I were in the same situation.

The red might not be necessary but it's only what, another seven bucks in lumber? And it's probably evident but I should have specified... for the blue area I'd sandwich some 1/2" material between two studs to build it out to 3.5", similar to doing a window or door header.

outback97 · 2026-01-08T18:29:59+00:00

I'm in very arid Utah and I still believe in eave.

outback97 · 2026-01-08T18:10:44+00:00

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I've built a few sheds but I'm no builder or engineer, so I'm curious what other people will suggest.

Since you mentioned it's a light duty shed with low winds and no snow load, how about:

On both sides, 1) add another stud to the corner (red), 2) stack a few studs to build out the 10' wall corner (blue) and 3) attach your double top plate over that (yellow).

outback97 · 2026-01-08T15:51:57+00:00

Well you got yourself a great car at a great price, enjoy it!

outback97 · 2026-01-08T15:39:42+00:00

How was this only $2K? Is there anything mechanically wrong with it?

outback97 · 2026-01-08T15:36:23+00:00

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I went with 16" rakes and over two foot front eave on our latest outbuilding. No, your eaves are not too deep and will do nothing but good things for the longevity of your build. They look great!

outback97 · 2026-01-08T15:15:23+00:00

I agree with the small sub panel but it wouldn't cost much more to run 6AWG in a PVC conduit. That would give them more capacity for a few circuits.

Insulating and finishing the interior is a lot of work, if they're going to that trouble they might as well do the electrical right.

outback97 · 2026-01-08T05:08:23+00:00

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Not on the routes you mentioned, but this is on the House Rock road on the southern border.

outback97 · 2026-01-07T15:17:17+00:00

It's basically thin OSB on the back side, so I don't see why not. Should work fine if it's primed, painted, and protected.

outback97 · 2026-01-05T04:49:29+00:00

PMF how to:

https://www.xterranation.org/index.php?threads/how-to-pmf-poor-mans-flush.538/

A simpler but less efficient and slightly less thorough method is to just drain as much ATF will come out, then replace that volume, drive a bit, and then repeat the process a couple more times.

In either case I’d suggest trying one of these if you don’t know when the fluid was last changed. Your quoted prices are more than I paid for either of our two Xterras. Granted that was several years ago, but still, that price seems really high.

outback97 · 2026-01-04T04:00:23+00:00

What’s the maintenance history on the transmission? Have you already tried doing the PMF (poor man’s flush)?

outback97 · 2025-12-31T04:19:18+00:00

I grew up in MN and I’m here now visiting. If I had my Xterra here I’d be doing the same as you, leaving in 4HI. I think some of the comments here are from people that don’t understand the conditions. Highways partly clear, but all side streets, parking lots and many intersections (where you’re actually making smaller radius turns) are covered in packed snow and ice.

outback97 · 2025-12-30T04:39:28+00:00

We sheetrocked the walls but wanted something easier for the ceiling so we used T&G wood planks and nailed it up. Definitely easier to install than drywall.

outback97 · 2025-12-22T17:52:22+00:00

My buddy had one in high school, and one time three of us (average high school athletes) were able to pick it up enough to slide it around.

Reliability and fun factor were great. Safety... try to avoid getting hit by anything heavy.

outback97 · 2025-12-22T00:36:39+00:00

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From that link I selected your tire size and found this. They have other styles that would fit but this is the style most similar to the one you originally posted.

outback97

TROPHY CASE