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Old 01-04-2004, 06:07 AM   #1
03ShrtBus
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Question WRX/STi/Impreza Wagon Suspension- read and post your setups

Need help on my Suspension. Long story short i Got Progress springs for free and I just installed my Rota Attacks and Potenza tires. They are 225/45/17. I have a pretty severe rub in the back and barely any rub up front. I am a big fan of the tires and wheel and don't want to lose them. I have available to me a set of H&R Springs. The H&R's as many if not all of you kno don't sit quite as low. Any help in this manor is greatly appreciated and if it could be sooner then later............thanks again

PS.........WAGONS POST YOUR SETUPS AND IF YOU HAVE RUBBAGE
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Old 01-04-2004, 06:48 AM   #2
Mark Avery
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This has been done before - do a search.

Lowered wagons with +48 offset rims will rub in the rear.

Solutions:
- Don't lower a wagon.
- 215/45-17s on +53 offset rims.
- Get the rear fender lips rolled.

I have 215/45 Bridgestone SO3s on 17x7+48 rims, Tein wagon coilovers, -0.9" rear drop. My rears rub - fender lips to be rolled soon.
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Old 01-04-2004, 07:26 AM   #3
ripvw
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Mark is right - here is the major thread on the topic:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...that+fit+wagon

Other possible solutions:

- adjust rear camber - you will need camber bolts or something more exotic and a good tech
- Prodrive springs - about 1/2 inch drop in the rear

Good luck.
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Old 01-04-2004, 12:03 PM   #4
mav1c
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I say this all the time, but just get your fenders rolled. I got mine done about a month after getting the car, just because I didn't want to be limited by what tire and wheels I could run. I have Tanabe Sustec Pro S-S coilovers with the car lowerd about 1 1/2" in rear, and about 1 3/4" in front. On the street I run 225/40-18 SO-3's on 18x7.5, +48mm wheels. At the track I run 235/40-17 Toyo RA-1's on 17x8. +48mm wheels. Also have camber plates in the rear and running -1 degrees camber, so I actually have less rear camber than stock. Still no rubbing. I got my fenders rolled professionally. They used the special fender rolling tool (you can sometimes rent these tools and try it yourself too), and a heat gun, so there was no cracked paint. No signs of cracking or rust after 30K miles. It cost me $240 to get all four done. For me, money well spent. A lot of people will say to just do it yourself and use a baseball bat, but the few cars I've seen done with that method had cracked paint, an uneven lip, rust, or all of the above. That's just my experience. Good luck!

Last edited by mav1c; 09-23-2004 at 12:07 PM.
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Old 01-04-2004, 12:13 PM   #5
jcwrx
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No rubbing here:

Summer: 215/45/17 Firestone FireHawk FZ50 EP
Rota Tarmac 1 w/ 48+ offset
Winter: 205/55/16 Blizzak LM22
OEM wheels

Running Prodrive Springs

No rubbing ever



JC
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Old 01-04-2004, 01:48 PM   #6
gtguy
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SPT suspension kit, with 17" Prodrive P1 wheels (perfect offset) and Dunlop SP9000s in 215-45-17. No rubbing, no nuttin'. Even when I had the car about 1.5" down with the DMS coilovers, I didn't rub.

Kevin
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Old 01-04-2004, 06:09 PM   #7
Benjamin Tang
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i remember a long thread sometime this year with this same question and many people answered it... try a search?
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Old 01-04-2004, 07:16 PM   #8
Arnie
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Quote:
Originally posted by Mark Avery
This has been done before - do a search.

Lowered wagons with +48 offset rims will rub in the rear.

Solutions:
- Don't lower a wagon.
- 215/45-17s on +53 offset rims.
- Get the rear fender lips rolled.

I have 215/45 Bridgestone SO3s on 17x7+48 rims, Tein wagon coilovers, -0.9" rear drop. My rears rub - fender lips to be rolled soon.
I'll have to disagree with mark here.

48ET is the correct offset for a 7.5" wide rim. And depending on your tire size and brand, as well as rear camber, do not rub. 53ET is correct for 7" wide and 55ET is correct for 6.5" wide rims.

I have 48ET 7.5" wide rims and they never came close to rubbing on a 3/4" dropped STi Genome suspension. I was using 215/45-17 Yokohama AVS Intermediates. Alignment was -1.5 F/ -1.1 Rear Camber. I switched to 225/45-17 Toyo T1-S and they had slight rubbage on the rear with about -1.1 degrees negative camber. I have since rolled my rear fenders and all is right with the world.

Some tires are wider than others, the S03 and Azenis are pretty wide for a given width, for example.
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Old 01-04-2004, 07:46 PM   #9
abaxter34
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prodrive springs, 215/45/17 kumho 712's, 7.5" wide rims with 48mm offset= no rubbing, ever
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Old 01-05-2004, 12:26 AM   #10
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Warning! Don't lower the rear too much on a Wagon or you'll damage the rear differential. Mine lowers two fingers at the rear, almost one inch and no rubbing.

7.5 inch 5Zigen Fireball rims
225/45/17 Falken Tyres
Hks Springs <--- upgrade to hipermax 2 coilovers soon!
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Old 10-14-2007, 11:07 AM   #11
NW OBS
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Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by wrathfirex View Post
Warning! Don't lower the rear too much on a Wagon or you'll damage the rear differential.
Would you like to dive into this a bit deeper? What would be the difference between dropping a sedan vs. a wagon. Is this from personal experience?
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Old 01-05-2004, 12:29 AM   #12
MNbiker
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Approx. 1.75" drop front & 1.25" drop rear with 225/45-17 Falken Azenis (probably the widest 225 street tire available) on 7.5" Rota Attacks. Fenders not rolled (yet), and I've had ZERO rubbing - with extensive autox & track use. The secrets? Negative camber & stiff springs (7k/7k last year, 8k/10k this year).

-Steve

p.s. I'll be running 245's with rolled fenders this year.
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Old 01-05-2004, 06:29 AM   #13
mav1c
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Quote:
Warning! Don't lower the rear too much on a Wagon or you'll damage the rear differential. Mine lowers two fingers at the rear, almost one inch and no rubbing.
I could guess, but why do you say this?
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Old 01-05-2004, 12:41 PM   #14
wrxman02
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hi brian
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Old 01-05-2004, 03:42 PM   #15
Saunders
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Quote:
Originally posted by MNbiker
Approx. 1.75" drop front & 1.25" drop rear with 225/45-17 Falken Azenis (probably the widest 225 street tire available) on 7.5" Rota Attacks. Fenders not rolled (yet), and I've had ZERO rubbing - with extensive autox & track use. The secrets? Negative camber & stiff springs (7k/7k last year, 8k/10k this year).

-Steve
Steve, did you have any rubbing issues before adjusting camber or springs? This year, for the stx class, i am planning on running 225/45/17 azenis on some rota slipstreams on a 03 wagon. I havent done anything to the suspension other then rollbars/end links. You think i will have any problems?

Saunders
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Old 01-05-2004, 03:56 PM   #16
mav1c
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Quote:
225/45/17 azenis on some rota slipstreams
Rota doesn't make slipstreams in 17" for Subies. Lots of other Rota wheels to choose from though.
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Old 01-05-2004, 05:43 PM   #17
Arnie
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I would hope Steve doesn't get any rubbing with that setup, he has no suspension movement whatsover!

but I have to say, its a bit irksome when someone says they don't have any rubbing because a) either they have incredible spring rates so the tire never even gets to the point of rubbing or b) they are at stock ride heights and never push things hard enough to get rubbing. its just not a fair assesment if a specific wheel/tire/suspension doesn't show/indicate full suspension travel. This is by no means a dis on MNbiker. .

Steve, what alignment settings do you have in the rear? This might give some folks an idea of how much negative camber one might need to avoid rubbage when having a car lowered that much.
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Old 01-05-2004, 07:08 PM   #18
Mark Avery
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>I'll have to disagree with mark here.

Disagree all you want. I've seen enough wagon rubbing posts here to know that folks with +48 offset 17s that get no rubbing are in the minority - usually explained by: 1. not lowered, 2. very stiff springs, or 3. lots of negative camber.

>48ET is the correct offset for a 7.5" wide rim.

But, if it rubs, 17x7+53 will put the tire 5mm farther away from the offending fender lip. So will more negative camber, but I don't want my fenders deciding my alignment specs. I run -1.0* in the rear, and yes, I know that contributes to the problem.

Last edited by Mark Avery; 01-05-2004 at 07:16 PM.
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Old 01-05-2004, 07:35 PM   #19
mav1c
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Quote:
but I don't want my fenders deciding my alignment specs
So get your fenders rolled. Never have to worry again. Run whatever tire and wheel you want (within Subaru fitments), with whatever camber specs you want.

Last edited by mav1c; 01-05-2004 at 07:47 PM.
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Old 01-05-2004, 07:39 PM   #20
Mark Avery
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>So get your fenders rolled.

I'm working on it! Got an estimate today - $275.

Now I have to figure out when I can drive the wife's car for a day.
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Old 01-05-2004, 11:10 PM   #21
OneManArmy
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I really want to run the prodrive springs. I want to go down a little bit but stay with the stock struts and not go down to much because I spend mad time in the snow.....prodrive seems to be the perfect solution. Will be running 17's. Either Rota, speedline or weds.

Only problem....have an 04 and people are lagging on getting stuff together for 04's. And I really don't want to put the 03 tops on and what not...just want freakin springs.

Hopefully prodrive will have it together by marchish.

Anyone know?
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Old 01-06-2004, 02:42 PM   #22
abaxter34
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Quote:
Warning! Don't lower the rear too much on a Wagon or you'll damage the rear differential.
not likely. your cv joints might go out but the diff would be just fine
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Old 01-06-2004, 02:56 PM   #23
Heather
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Default Re: Wagon Suspension--Read and post your setups

Quote:
Originally posted by 03ShrtBus
WAGONS POST YOUR SETUPS
20mm rear swaybar w/KLC30 aluminum Whiteline endlinks w/Poly bushings rear
stock 19mm front swaybar w/Poly bushings and Whiteline aluminum endlinks
Whiteline ALK (anti-lift-kit)
Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on stock rims
Steering rack bushings

Really improves the handling greatly with exceptional turn-in and steering response

Heather
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Old 01-11-2004, 06:33 PM   #24
MK19
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17” Gold Prodrive P7's w/ 225/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE070’s (street setup)
17” White Rota Attack’s w/ 225/45-17 Kumho VictoRacer V700’s (dedicated auto-x setup)
Dulalmin “Light Weight” black lug nuts
Cusco Zero-2R coilover suspension (“3” for street and 5-front/4-rear for auto-x)
Cusco Type II front lower arm brace
Cusco rear adjustable 22-24mm sway bar
Cusco front strut bar (Type OS)
STi rear trailing link arm kit
STi rear lateral link kit (6 piece, full pillow ball)
STi lower control arm bushings (Group N)
STi V7 power steering pump (coming this week)
Rev-Labs Quick ratio 10.5:1 (2.0 turn) steering rack (coming this week)
Whiteline steering rack bushings
Track/Auto-X alignment (-1° front camber w/ stock camber bolts; 2.5-3° w/ Cusco camber plates for auto-x)

I don't rub on a daily basis, but when I run the Rota's for auto-x, if I corner really hard, I get a touch of rub; not too bad tho, now that I have the car setup properly
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Old 10-30-2006, 07:39 PM   #25
Blue5spdWRXWgn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kopf_Jager View Post
17" Gold Prodrive P7's w/ 225/45-17 Bridgestone Potenza RE070's (street setup)
17" White Rota Attack's w/ 225/45-17 Kumho VictoRacer V700's (dedicated auto-x setup)
Dulalmin "Light Weight" black lug nuts
Cusco Zero-2R coilover suspension ("3" for street and 5-front/4-rear for auto-x)
Cusco Type II front lower arm brace
Cusco rear adjustable 22-24mm sway bar
Cusco front strut bar (Type OS)
STi rear trailing link arm kit
STi rear lateral link kit (6 piece, full pillow ball)
STi lower control arm bushings (Group N)
STi V7 power steering pump (coming this week)
Rev-Labs Quick ratio 10.5:1 (2.0 turn) steering rack (coming this week)
Whiteline steering rack bushings
Track/Auto-X alignment (-1***176; front camber w/ stock camber bolts; 2.5-3***176; w/ Cusco camber plates for auto-x)

I don't rub on a daily basis, but when I run the Rota's for auto-x, if I corner really hard, I get a touch of rub; not too bad tho, now that I have the car setup properly

What class do yo run in? Is changing steering ratio allowed?

Last edited by Blue5spdWRXWgn; 10-30-2006 at 08:21 PM.
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