Few issues with 99 outback

[Zibou]

Hello,
I just bought a cheap 99 outback, it drives well despite the 219000km but being in Victoria, I have to take the roadworthy test.

The car failed this morning for the following points:
- Front castors bushes leaking = replace
- rear diff bushes worn - replace
- rear trailing arm bushes torn
- rust in rear muffler = replace

And, what a surprise...
- LH rocker cover gasket + LH head gasket leaks - repair
=> for this one, I will first try to clean the oil as fine as possible a try it like that

What about the rest, does those 3 elements sound like things a moderately knowledgeable mechanic (i.e. myself) could do or is it definitely a work to be left to a garage?
I haven't much experience working on cars but I'm quite ok with motorbikes and I learnt most everything online, so I wouldn't mind doing the same for the outback. And well, it will be a surprise for nobody that someone buying a 99 car will be looking to save as much as possible on expenses...

Thanks a lot for any advise, insight, help, address you can give me,

Cheers

[Zibou]

Well, I've been doing some cleaning in the front and most of the issue linked to the front should be ok
a few questions though,
What are pieces 1 and 2?
Is one of theme a "Castor bush"?
Piece one has a cracked joint, is that a problem?



I have a hole in the muffler, is it possible to fix it or do I need to change it?


Below the engine

[cruisn]

1 is steering rack mount bush, 2 is the steering rack boot.

Caster bushes are the ones at the rear of the lower control arms.

http://www.whiteline.com.au/product_det ... ber=KCA375

[Zibou]

Thanks Crusin,

I've put some putty on the muffler, I'll try to go back to RWC place like that and see if he is happy with it (kind of doubt it...)

The front end (engine and suspensions) looks much better now

I cannot understand what they found wrong in the back, everything looks good...

[cruisn]

What were the rear things that failed?

Everything you listed is minor items and easily fixable. Putty on the muffler wont pass. Take it to an exhaust shop and get them to weld the hole up.

[Zibou]

I'm at bob jane changing my tyres. I could see that the bushes of the rear differential are cracked and should be changed. Not sure I can do it myself.
The other is rear tailing bushes.
All the rest is addressed. I Will go back to the place where I mad the rwc as it's an exhaust place.
In case I have to change the muffler, what.would be my cheapest option?

[Zibou]

Once bellow the car, it's quite clear what needs to be done... I also have too much play in the diff. It Will probably need a reconditioning...