Greenmamba

You're welcome. Not the first to be caught out by that one!

If that switch was on, all park lights would've been on overnight, draining the battery.

Switch on top of the steering column isn't on, is it?

Howdy

Are you asking Legacy diesel to OB diesel? Ratios may be different, not sure about mountings. Obviously, differing diff ratios wouldn't work front to rear.

There is a magnetic tone ring built into the wheel bearing on that model of OB. Replace with a good (OEM, SKF, Timken, etc). Would solve the noise, probably will clear the abs code if it is the cause.

If the cat has actually disintegrated inside, you must have more bad luck than I - Subaru cats are considered very robust. Rattling is usually heat shields. Have there been any fault codes, or drop in performance recently?

Why do you think it needs a new cat? If it's only because there's an error code on the CEL, there can be other causes as well such as vacuum or exhaust leaks etc.

I dont know if it has any real effect - I do it because live in a hard water area and try to avoid scaling of the water/coolant passages.

Confirm you are checking with the motor running, in park?

Have you checked the tranny fluid level and colour?

The transmission probably didn't enjoy having different tyres fitted on it - awd vehicles prefer similar rolling diameters all round. How's the auto fluid look/level etc?

That is one generous offer! Sure it cant be fixed/have you gotten quotes?

How's the power steering fluid level in the reservoir and are there any bubbles in it when the motors running?

Have you checked that the power steering belt is on?

Maybe, maybe the 2007 series take a different fluid to the 2006's. It could be kosher.

It should have a reddish tinge, assuming you are testing the tranny and not the front diff!

A simple drain and fill of the tranny will yield about 4 litres. Garages usually just do that much each time the car is in for major service. Noting there's over 10 litres full, several drain and fills eventually gets a majority of fresh fluid in. A full flush (using recovery/replacement) on the other hand is more comprehensive but can, I believe disturb waxes/sludge etc. I've not done that, just drain and fills.

Have you checked both the level, and condition of the transmission fluid? Needs checking with engine running in park. probably wouldn't hurt anyway to do a coupleof drains and refill with fresh fluid if you don't know how old the fluid is. My car doesn't have the "graunch" upon accelerating from standstill, inaudible but is sort of felt through the steering wheel for no more than a split second. Thirdly it almost refuses to accelerate in "I" mode without nearly 50% throttle, often causing the slight shudder" you report, with 157k miles on the clock. Interested about the Terraclean, thought about it myself but hesitated. Might give it a go.

Welcome. Photos would be brilliant.

Have you checked for cv grease being flung onto hot exhaust? That could smell similar to rubber.

Maybe you need a new mechanic as well! He/she ought to have spotted that. Good luck.

Someone more informed/wise about Foresters will have to chime in. I don't know the answer to that one.

Confirm there is no oil around the plug boots? Are all engine grounds/earths OK, clean and tight? Has the check engine light come on at all?

Which "spec letters" are you talking about?