Hi Jerry!
I am sure lots of you have put aftermarket stereo's in your outbacks, my problem is with the hatchback and the rear view mirror. The rear view mirror is not really so much stereo related but it is compounded by it. The problem is it is really loose, and even when the stereo isn't turned up it ends up pointed at the rear seat. Is there any way to tighten it?
Not sure, but if there is, it will be a screw (probably allen-head) near the ball and socket where the mirror pivots. Tighten the screw to increase tension. If not, pick up another at your local salvage yard, or give me a call and I'll see if I can find one for you.
As for the liftgate, what the hell vibrates and rattles in there, at first I had the license plate vibrating on the outside, and I fixed that by putting 4 bolts in and tightening them, but from the inside I can hear a vibration that sound very much like the license plate, is there something I can tighten up in there? I have a VW Beetle with a lot more SPL than this with no vibrations whatsoever, it is kinda driving me crazy.
Lotsa stuff in the hatch; most likely candidate is one of the lock linkage rods but could be any number of things. Pop off the plastic trim (a combination of screw-type and pop-in plastic fasteners; just be careful not to exert excessive force, it's designed to come off easily), and apply weather-strip tape where ever the linkages appear to contact sheet metal or plastic. Also check to be sure the external trim plastic's fasteners are nice -n- tight. Same with the wiper assy, electric locks, etc. A good technique is to climb in the back and poke around while the stereo is playing something with a strong repetitive bass line. If you're enthusiastic about it, this would be a good time to install some Dynamat as well.
Be warned that this is a never ending project; if you run a decent subwoofer at even modest volume, you will _always_ find car resonances and vibrations. All of the doors will have rattles, as will the dash mountings, and glove box/glove box contents. Resonances in the actual sheet-metal "skin" are best addressed with Dynamat or the like, everything else try tightening the associated fasteners first, then weatherstrip tape as needed.
The simple solution is to crank the stereo up until it drowns out the cars accompaniment; that's the excuse I use, anyway ;-)
Have fun!
ByeBye! S.
Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101
