02 WRX Wagon

http://Isuzu-Trooper.autoboardz.com/talk-WRX-synchros-ftopict189781.html (QUESTION - need to talk about WRX synchros again)
Hey, all. I have an 02 WRX Wagon, with about 29,000 miles. Awhile ago, there was a thread on the dubious quality of WRX synchros. I occasionally 'beat' the synchros, causing the shifter to slam home before the tranny has synched up. This does not happen often, but I want to deal with it before the..
« Let me make sure I understand. You occasionally abuse your transmission and you want help from us so that you can convince your dealer that he should rebuild it under warranty. Am I missing somethi.. »
« There may be some aftermarket gear oil with different 'friction modifiers' that could help - maybe the tranny or motorsports threads at http://www.nasioc.com could help. basically, you need more friction.. »
« Thanks, Carl. I do recall mention of a certain synthetic gear oil that many people have had luck with. I'll go back and check. But the symptom I'm experiencing is not _only_ that the gears aren't in.. »

http://Isuzu-Trooper.autoboardz.com/02-WRX-dud-ftopict189789.html (Is the 02 WRX a dud???)
Hey, all... I'm coming to the end of my lease for an 02 WRX wagon. I'm assessing whether I want to buy it out or let it go. I've been through the clutch shudder fiasco with this car, to the tune of 3 clutch replacements over a several-month period (clutch shudder, followed by the release bearing g..
« Hey BD, The clutch shudder problem has happened to me as well. It usually occurs when the weather is bad. It only happens when releasing the clutch into first. Try lowering the RPMs to right ab.. »
« Actually, the clutch shudder ain't the problem anymore. After the 3rd change, I got one that's worked fine from that point. Problem now is ... well, I was gonna say the synchros, but I'm thinking it.. »
« that's possible, i do that once in a while when i'm tired. that grinding noise happens from neutral to any gear if you don't push the clutch pedal all the way down and then try to shift. »

http://Isuzu-Trooper.autoboardz.com/remove-housing-defroster-fan-output-02-WRX-ftopict210226.html (Trying to remove housing over defroster/fan output = 02 WRX)
I have an 02 WRX wagon. I'm currenly becoming a little obsessive about the little rattles and noises I'm hearing in my car as I go over bumpy roads or crank my stereo. I'm looking at RAAM-mat for the doors etc... But one annoying culprit is the strip of plastic which is right behind the windshield..
« Hmm, couldn't you get some black foam strip and shove it between the windshield and dash lip? Sounds like that's what you want to do but think you need to dismantle the dash. Cut the foam strip .. »
« Yes, that's reasonable - but the 'gap' is only about 1mm wide. I might be better off with a thin strip of fabric or something than foam, just to get some tension pushing across the entire width of it. »

http://Isuzu-Trooper.autoboardz.com/burning-smell-ftopict214056.html (What *was* that burning smell...?)
Hey all.. Recently did a trip with my 02 WRX Wagon (Manual), and had a kind of an odd circumstance. Here's the setup: 4-hour trip, lots of windy roads through the mountains - lots of ups and downs. (Headed to Long Beach on Vancouver Island, fwiw). My 'strategy' for dealing with tight-ish corners o..
« Perhaps the clutch is not disengaging completely. It may be slightly out of adjustment or, maybe, you're not getting completely to the floor. Soob clutch materal is VERY smelly and it doesn't take .. »
« Have you checked the front axle CVJ boots for grease leaks? »
« Yeah, it's tough to get a clear idea when it only happened for a couple of seconds, on only two occasions. Oh well. I won't bother asking for the dealers' opinion - they've given me very little indi.. »
« Hmm. 60,000 km seems a little early for that - but I guess everything's worth checking. Thanks! »

http://Isuzu-Trooper.autoboardz.com/Brakes-popping-ftopict230383.html (Question: Brakes 'popping' on first use...)
Hey, all. 02 WRX Wagon, manual. I'm finding that when I start the vehicle, back out of my parking spot, and tap the brakes to stop, several of the brake mechanisms seem to 'pop' slightly as they engage. It's almost as if the mechanism is 'sticking' slightly, and the fluid pressure is causing it to..
« BD writes: Is what you're feeling consistent with rotors or pads oxidizing a bit when left to sit? The first movement backing out unsticks the pad from teh rotor, and the first braking action wi.. »
« I suspect that it's a forwards/back thing. Try doing it in reverse, you'll find it doesn't happen twice in a row. Then do it once in reverse, then brake from the forwards direction, and when you do .. »
« Minus the grindyness - the only weirdness I detect is the pop (which doesn't happen all the time, and only happens once per 'session'), - and there is also a slight 'sag' in pressure if I sit at a l.. »
« Fair enough. I know it doesn't do it twice in a row in one direction, but I never thought to see if changing direction would bear different results. I'll see. »