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Old 11-05-2005, 07:38 PM   #1
shinsain
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Default 97 Legacy Sedan GT Strut/Spring install questions

So, we're installing some Whiteline Control springs on KYB GR-2 struts and we seem to be having some problems.

1. We're not sure because the springs look so different which way is top and which is bottom (see attached pic).




2. We are having issues also fitting the springs to the struts. We are finding that they are not lining up quite right and that the strut baskets are not quite large enough for the springs. They are leaving gaps in the top and the bottom like they're not seating properly (see pics).





HELP US PLEASE!!! AND SOON. WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INSTALL~~!!!

Aaron
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Old 11-05-2005, 08:12 PM   #2
Fuzz541
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Default





(holy quick job)
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Old 11-05-2005, 08:12 PM   #3
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try the suspension forum n00b. the springs are pictured in proper orientation.(first pic)
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Old 11-05-2005, 08:25 PM   #4
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I tried it, homie.

We've crossposted everywhere applicable.

So, the part of the springs with the coils closer together is the bottom? Because it just doesn't seem to fit quite right when we turned them that way.
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Old 11-05-2005, 08:27 PM   #5
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Are you sure those are legacy specific GR2's? or springs. cross reference the measurements wioth the stock stuff.
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Old 11-05-2005, 08:32 PM   #6
shinsain
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Well, we're going by part numbers right now. The measurements are a little lower w/ the Whiteline springs becasue they drop the car, but they look roughly the same. The part numbers on the struts match up and they seem to fit the same as well.

The only part numbers that don't match up are the Whiteline part numbers. Online in the catalog it lists PN: 70198 as the proper number, but listed on the springs (for the front themselves) are C90-20198. And on the rears the PN is 70381 from the catalog and C90-20381 from the springs themselves....

We figured they were the correct ones becasue the last few nums matched, but are checking now becasue they don't seem to fit.
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Old 11-05-2005, 09:00 PM   #7
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I have the same exact Spring and same exact struts.

First, the part of the coil with them "stacked" together is the TOP.

Second, the reason it isn't fitting perfectly is because you haven't transferred that rubber pad from your stock strut to the new one. There should be rubber at both the top and bottom of the spring.

So, the picture where you don't think it is seating properly is the correct spring orientation, however you're missing the rubber seat.

The other picture with the strut mount has the spring in wrong.

Good luck. Oh, and pay attention to the removal in the future.

Jared
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Old 11-05-2005, 10:36 PM   #8
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Ok, so we figured it out anyway.

1. There is no rubber bushing on the bottom of the stock strut assy.

2. Thanks for the confirmation on the orientation of the springs

3. We found that the problem can come when one lines the top spring perch up with the new springs as the lines of wear on the bushings are at different places depending on the aftermarket spring make compared to the OEM. This can cause the spring to not seat properly.

4. We did pay attention to the removal, however, the aftermarket to stock spring comparison is totally different. The Whitline springs do not look much like OEM, and therefore cannot be directly compared. Especially when taken into account with the issues we were having in #3.

Does the blue dot on the top spring perch have anything to do with all this magic??? That would be a good thing to know.....

Aaron
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Old 11-06-2005, 12:49 AM   #9
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If you source the rubber piece for the bottom spring perch, and the springs are meant for your car along with the GR2s, then the perception of things not lining up right will go away when they whole assembly is together.

I'd never done ANY suspension stuff prior to this install. I did it just as I described and all is well. It has been on for probably 6 months and no creaking, etc.

What vehicle is this going on? I could check the part#s from my springs. They may or may not match...

Oh, and there MOST DEFINITELY was a rubber piece on the base of MY OEM setup. The GR2s even had little holes for "nipples" to go through. There is supposed to be one there...at least on BGs.

Jared
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Old 11-06-2005, 01:36 AM   #10
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+1 to the rubber piece.

dont install and drive with out it. it will be loud and your spring may slide around. but you gotta post on how you like the ride, i'm thinking of going with the same setup to replace my WRX suspension i have on my wagon now.
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Old 11-06-2005, 01:45 AM   #11
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The ride is nice. Barrett from Allwheelsdriven even asked me what the suspension was when he drove it a couple weeks ago. He said it was nice.

Not too harsh, but still a nice handling ride.

Oh, and I see it is for a 97 GT. You definitely need the rubber piece.

Jared
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Old 11-06-2005, 03:00 AM   #12
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I don't think my '97 GT struts had rubber at the bottom. I'm too lazy to go out to the garage and look, though.

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan
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Old 11-06-2005, 03:32 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Olsen
I don't think my '97 GT struts had rubber at the bottom. I'm too lazy to go out to the garage and look, though.

Pat Olsen
'97 Legacy 2.5GT sedan
Well, maybe I stand corrected??!!

Jared
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Old 11-06-2005, 09:11 AM   #14
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iirc, my 97 gt sedan only had rubber bits on one end. it's been a while though..
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Old 11-06-2005, 09:20 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spdracr00
+1 to the rubber piece.

dont install and drive with out it. it will be loud and your spring may slide around. but you gotta post on how you like the ride, i'm thinking of going with the same setup to replace my WRX suspension i have on my wagon now.
I didn’t have a lower rubber retainer either
Doesn’t exist on either my stock 98 BD suspension nor 04 WRX suspension.
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Old 11-06-2005, 11:54 AM   #16
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I'm probably late here.

First off strut GR2 PNs:

Front Left 334112
Front Right 334111
Rear Left 334116
Rear Right 334115

The rears are taller.

The bunched coils in this case go to the top be they front or rear springs.

Which brings me to my next question. Is the spring/strut in the first pic front or rear?

Regarding the rubber strut perch isolators. They are(or should be) there but only on the rear struts. You need to transfer the isolators from your rear oem struts to the GR2s. There are 3 rubber nubs that you pull through three holes on the struts and secure the isolators to the strut perch.

ss

edit: just saw the topmount. Front.
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Old 11-06-2005, 12:00 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by subysouth
I'm probably late here.



The bunched coils in this case go to the top be they front or rear springs.


ss

edit: just saw the topmount. Front.
Is this the case with all springs? The bunched coils going on top?
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Old 11-06-2005, 12:00 PM   #18
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I didn't have rubber on the bottom. I took out the rubber on the top. Seems just fine so far (~1 month with iON Sport Springs).

-A
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Old 11-06-2005, 02:35 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MitchGT
Is this the case with all springs? The bunched coils going on top?
Most, but not all.

ss
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Old 11-06-2005, 02:41 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fastenova
I didn't have rubber on the bottom. I took out the rubber on the top. Seems just fine so far (~1 month with iON Sport Springs).

-A
Didnt have the rubber on the bottom of where? And you took out the rubber where?




On the oem BD/BG struts you will have rubber spring isolators on:

top front - ring usually stuck to the bottom of the upper spring perch

top rear - castellated donut ring that snaps into the top of the rear spring
bottom rear - attached to rear strut perch


The front between the bottom of the springs and the strut spring perch is the only spring mating surface without a rubber isolator.

My advice is to transfer all the rubber components to your new setup possible.

ss
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Old 12-23-2011, 06:14 PM   #21
cj062989
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Default help meh please help meh.... 97 leggy gt kyb GR2 excel g and H&r springs rear

I'm having a lil trouble with the rear spring when i fit them up with the shock they don't quite fit in the perch snugly.what should I do??????
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Old 12-23-2011, 10:53 PM   #22
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since the rear struts are taller what should i do???
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