Can't help with the DIY, but my local performance shop replaced mine for ~$120.
2005 Outback XT w/102K at the time.
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2005 Outback XT w/102K at the time.
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Definitely get the heat shield off as this will give you some additional room. I believe there are 8 bolts for this. If possible, try to soak these with PB Blaster first so they don't snap off (i twisted one of the heads off on one bolt). Regarding the wire nut, i used this to help center up (ie. position) the new copper washer, which sits between the oil line and the engine block. The wire nut i used was one of the tapered varieties (ie. long and thinner towards the end). This enabled me to center up the washer so i could insert the banjo bolt and get it threaded. Note: My earlier email indicated that my father put some pressure on the oil line so the washer does not fall out....the pressure was placed towards the engine block - rather than the front of car). Good luck.I am in the middle of this process, and like you, stuck on the installation part. I can not get the bolt to line up to grab the threads and I have NO room to get a hand in there, (actually only one finger). I got the banjo bolt out without removing the heat shield but now I am in the process of taking out the heat shield to gain a bit more wiggle room. Couple questions, How do you use the wire nut to align it with? Second, how many bolts hold on the heat shield and locations? I have pulled out 6 of them and not sure how many more there are or location? Any pics, diagrams, etc?
Thanks for responding.Stubby on the bolt and combo on the open end of stubby.
I think it's pretty well split, depending on who you ask.So reading through this post, is the concensus to just clean and replace the filter and bolt? Or leave the filter out completely? I know in the link to the legacy page the poster said he just left his out. Mildly concerning, but if it doesn't hurt it, I don't see a problem.