Hiking vehicles

[rally_toad]

What kind of vehicles do you guys all drive when your going hiking? Im thinking about investing in a 4wd high clearance Jeep or something of the sort so I could get to some places where I definitely couldnt get to with what Im driving now (73 mustang):) I saw a Jeep Grand Cherokee today for $2600 and I was thinking about checking it out. What "hiking vehicle" is easiest to drive and which gets the best gas mileage (even though I know most wouldnt be too fuel efficient.)

[Jim]

Actually, until the service manager told me today that this was a normal vibration as he detected it in another car, they have been pretty good about taking care of this. It was the reversal of their opinion with no change in the car, that was so troubling. Thanks for the tip.

[Bradshaws]

@Jim_H
Another little bit of info that might help is that there is no "normal vibration". It may be a vibration that they can't find or fix but its not suppose to be there. If the car hasn't been altered or wrecked than it shouldn't shack at any speed. Good luck

[chumley]

Do you listen to music on the highway? Is there a subwoofer in the back? You might just want to turn down the Lil Wayne

[CannondaleKid]

I'd contact Subaru Customer Service directly and get them involved.
Customer Service: 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)

Then I'd ask for a temporary replacement vehicle while you leave yours at the dealer until the issue is resolved.

As maddening as this can be (including time and $ consuming) try to keep as calm and objective as possible with EVERYONE you speak with whether in person or on the phone. Start a notebook and keep track of everything... who you talked to, what they said and when as well as your responses.

This may become a long, drawn out process, so documentation is important. It not only will show you won't accept platitudes and go away, but it will help by showing up the discrepancies in their responses... like first being helpful then saying they all do that. That is a flip-flop, and if you end up going to the media (or mediation) this is the type of evidence that will win your case.

Good luck!

[paulhubbard]

I'd pull the Lemon Law card. I think it involves something like 3 attempts to rectify the issue, then they have to replace the vehicle, or something like that?

[azbackpackr]

I'd pull the Lemon Law card. I think it involves something like 3 attempts to rectify the issue, then they have to replace the vehicle, or something like that?

Jim is not in Arizona. Lemon laws vary from state to state:
https://www.google.com/search?q=lemon+l ... HP_enUS455

[paulhubbard]

Good link, Thanks Liz!

[Chuy]

Actually, until the service manager told me today that this was a normal vibration as he detected it in another car, they have been pretty good about taking care of this. It was the reversal of their opinion with no change in the car, that was so troubling. Thanks for the tip.

That is BS it has worn u joints or more. The reason you feel it is because a AWD has two sets and its probably the front because the maintenance greasing intervals where never done. The front is always more prone because of the higher angle compared to the rear so you will noticeably feel it in the seats. Those u-joints are $$$ its not like owning a jeep where you just slap a new pair of spicer's on. The AWD front and rear tires are constantly rotating you will need OEM or something from BAP. Its an easy fix but the parts are not cheap. It could be other issues like the front end needs a rebuild. Very common because the hub bearings were not torqued properly when the disk brakes where changed. I would pass unless you can wrench on it yourself or learn more about AWD's. These cars are much more complicated than Jeeps or other 4x4's because of the 3rd differential something totally foreign to the US market.

[CannondaleKid]

That is BS it has worn u joints or more. The reason you feel it is because a AWD has two sets and its probably the front because the maintenance greasing intervals where never done.

Just how many maintenance greasing intervals can be missed between buying it and less than a month/2600 miles later??

[Jim]

Actually, I drove it off the lot with 5 miles, and once I had diner and was driving out of town south on 25 and picked up speed I started to feel it. I had maybe 30 miles on it. New tires replaced last Friday at 2080 miles have helped a bit, as the old set were reported to be out of round and were not able to be balanced in Subaru's specs. The passenger seat vibration persists. Always on the best roads, telling me there is something wrong.

I have an appointment with the Subaru Rep on Monday, and I sent Subaru of America a message.

As long as other owners and drivers of Subaru Outbacks tell me their vehicles don't vibrate, I don't see this as simply a normal thing. If the Rep tells me this is normal, I want to take out another vehicle and see what it does. If this is "normal" for the 2013, then my response is "recall".

[CannondaleKid]

Always on the best roads...

I'm leaning more toward drive-train imbalance (driveshaft/axleshaft/CV joint) but due to my experience as a tire dealer I still would not rule out another tire out-of-round or more likely the harder to locate variation in stiffness of one section of the belt.

I trust the rep will be eager to get it resolved quickly and thoroughly so it won't re-appear somewhere down the line.

[big_load]

No vibration here. I'd probably look into it.

[wallyfrack]

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Recalls
Recalls current as of 07/26/2013
Visit Safercar.gov for all vehicle recall information.

Outback
STEERING:COLUMN

Recall number: 13V194000
Recall date: 05/13/2013
Problem Summary:

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 OUTBACK AND LEGACY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2012, THROUGH JUNE 15, 2012. IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE INNER AND OUTER SHAFTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY MAY BECOME DISENGAGED FROM ONE ANOTHER.
Consequence:

IF THE SHAFTS BECOME DISENGAGED, THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective Action:

SUBARU WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 14, 2013. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. SUBARU'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS WQI-45.

The manufacturer first notified owners of this recall on 05/14/2013.

This recall affects vehicles manufactured between 02/15/2012 and 06/15/2012.

[The_Eagle]

@wallyfrack

IF THE SHAFTS BECOME DISENGAGED, THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Ya think?

[Alston_Neal]

AS some of you know I've picked on the Jeep folks here, but it has come to my attention that since the Fukushima tsunami my beloved Japanese quality in vehicles has dropped a bit. This could also explain some of Jim's problem with his annoying vibration and the steering issue.
I believe the quality of materials in this tie rod to be somewhat lacking.....

[big_load]

@Alston Neal A few years back, the drive shaft broke late at night on my brother-in-law's gigantic motor home on I-10 in Marana. We spliced it with a piece of vacuum cleaner tube and some wire I found nearby and made it back to Phoenix.

[beterarcher]

We spliced it with a piece of vacuum cleaner tube and some wire I found nearby and made it back to Phoenix.

Now that's redneck!

[Alston_Neal]

We spliced it with a piece of vacuum cleaner tube and some wire I found nearby and made it back to Phoenix.

Now that's redneck!

No, redneck would mean they're still living there in the motor home........

[Jim]

Went out with the engineers, they isolated it to a bad tire. That seems right, as the feeling always reminded me of when the balance was off in my previous car. The tire has a 2 or 3 mm ridge on the exterior that seems to be producing the vibration.

[rwstorm]

@Jim_H
If that's what it is, what a HUGE relief!