Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
Click here to visit TireRack
Brakes & Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack

Losing traction? Need new tires?
Click here to visit the NASIOC Upgrade Garage...
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Brakes, Steering & Suspension

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-30-2006, 08:38 AM   #201
Scooby921
Merci Buckets
Moderator
 
Member#: 88606
Join Date: Jun 2005
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Michigan
Vehicle:
2018 Grand Cherokee
Velvet Red Pearl

Default

Thanks to DomozitoLK and TurbojonLS for letting me know there was discussion of my spacers.

Some of you may have read about them in other threads. Some might remember me getting in trouble for trying to sell them without being a listed vendor. For those who aren't familiar with the spacers...they were originally designed when I was using Tokico D-specs. I'd heard about people running into clunking problems with washers, and honestly I just didn't trust stacking washers to solve the problem. In any case, I was happy with it and decided to have a few extra sets made for those who might be interested.

I've only got 2 sets left, but if there is legitimate interest I will certainly have more made. They are a bit expensive to make in low quantities due to the material and coating. For those who are wondering, the material is hardened 4150 chrome-moly steel. The coating is black oxide...not annodizing.

Since I'm not a vendor I can't "sell" these to anyone. There will be no discussion of price in this thread. There is no need for it to be locked or me to be banned from the website. If you're interested in a set or think that these would be a good product to have available I will try to work with a vendor (likely Oakos or Turn-in Concepts) to make them readily available to the public. Until then, PM me for more info.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Scooby921 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 10-30-2006, 11:02 AM   #202
BIGSKYWRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7958
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Plains of Eastern Montana
Vehicle:
09 GH B+

Default

Curious if it would be worth it to make the upper "shoulders" rounded like the shaft on the 04+'s? I'm wondering if it would interface w/ the new style tops any better- the 04+ shafts are slightly rounded vs squared off on the 02/03 ones- might not be worth the extra hassle, but couldn't help but notice that minor difference (along w/ the more important thread engagement issue).
BIGSKYWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2006, 11:36 AM   #203
Turn in Concepts
Former Vendor
 
Member#: 93646
Join Date: Aug 2005
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Vehicle:
Many Track Records
Let us help you go fast!

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooby921 View Post
Thanks to DomozitoLK and TurbojonLS for letting me know there was discussion of my spacers.

Some of you may have read about them in other threads. Some might remember me getting in trouble for trying to sell them without being a listed vendor. For those who aren't familiar with the spacers...they were originally designed when I was using Tokico D-specs. I'd heard about people running into clunking problems with washers, and honestly I just didn't trust stacking washers to solve the problem. In any case, I was happy with it and decided to have a few extra sets made for those who might be interested.

I've only got 2 sets left, but if there is legitimate interest I will certainly have more made. They are a bit expensive to make in low quantities due to the material and coating. For those who are wondering, the material is hardened 4150 chrome-moly steel. The coating is black oxide...not annodizing.

Since I'm not a vendor I can't "sell" these to anyone. There will be no discussion of price in this thread. There is no need for it to be locked or me to be banned from the website. If you're interested in a set or think that these would be a good product to have available I will try to work with a vendor (likely Oakos or Turn-in Concepts) to make them readily available to the public. Until then, PM me for more info.
FYI.... I forwarded your PM to Tony so he and I can talk about it. We're very interested as we've been looking at starting to carry things that go boing, but the we don't like the "stack of washers" fix for the 04+ guys either.
Turn in Concepts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2006, 10:47 PM   #204
the_poser
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 106234
Join Date: Jan 2006
Chapter/Region: TXIC
Location: old katy
Vehicle:
'o8 5.7 Tundra
'07 sv650s

Default

Very good info in hear
I'm wanting to go 'o4 wagon pinks on my 'o2 wagon, and finding 'o4+ wagon pull offs seems to be difficult
some fancy spacers look like a good way to "build" my setup
the_poser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2006, 06:39 PM   #205
Evil XT
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 102801
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: NJ
Vehicle:
14 Rubicon
RIP "Silver Fridge"

Default

Us Forester guys are looking for a solution to our nonexistant aftermarket strut problem also...
Evil XT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2006, 06:44 PM   #206
Arnie
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 1725
Join Date: Jun 2000
Chapter/Region: International
Location: Germany
Vehicle:
2002 Subaru Forester
SG silver

Default

You do have STi Forester struts. Not exactly common, but at least they are available. Anyone try Koni inserts yet on a Forester? Not sure if they would be a very good recommendation though since they are a shorter stroke and at full forester ride height you could have topping out issues that could result in leaky seals/blown struts at full extension.
Arnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2006, 08:41 PM   #207
BIGSKYWRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7958
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Plains of Eastern Montana
Vehicle:
09 GH B+

Default

Definitely STi struts available- oe and aftermarket.

I'd be a little leary w/ the Impreza Koni's on the Forester- as you mention quite a bit shorter. Combined w/ Impreza springs you should be fine-but that's pretty low for a Forester.
BIGSKYWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2007, 04:36 PM   #208
MRF582
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 48219
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle:
. Always drive
the race line .

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MRF582 View Post
wooHOO!!!!! the left rear clunking is gone. i ended up using a 16mm ID washer. actually it was a lock washer which kind of looks like it's part of a coil with a cut in the middle and one 'end' raised above the other slightly.

anyway, i think a regular flat washer would've worked too. i only needed one washer for now. i couldn't get grade 8 hardened washer in a size that fit b/c the OD was too big for the hole in the strut mount. otherwise i would've went with a 5/8" grade 8 washer. instead i had to go with the metric 16mm washer which is equivalent in hardness to a grade 5 SAE washer.

chances are that in time this washer will get crushed to the point where it'll start making the noise again and i'll add another washer then and that should be the end of that. the right rear hasn't clunked yet but i'm sure it will. however this time i'm ready for it armed with washers and a cordless impact.

unfortunately, ALL of the rear suspension noise isn't gone. welcome to the land of imprezas eh? there's still a squeaking type that seems to happen when both tires go over a speed bump simultaneously. the sound isn't nearly as bad when only one tire goes over a speed bump. i'm thinking it might be the swaybar bushings which i did not lube when i put my 22mm adjustable helix RSB in.

the squeaking and stuff i can deal with but it's the hard clunking that you can sometimes feel through the chassis as you're driving is what is really annoying.

another source of squeaking creaking in the rear might be b/c of the geometry of the rear suspension. after reading a LOT of posts on here about it, it seems the shaft of the strut is rubbing against the spring during certain situations. oh well, that's for another day.

cliff notes :

if you are using 04 tophats/strutmounts with 04 springs with 02/03 KYB AGXs, just a 5/8" grade 8 washer or a 16mm washer. you can use a lock washer if you want but i don't really think it matters. if clunking is not gone, use at the most 2 washers. assuming the washers themselves are about 2mm thick.

thank you for all the input people have put in this thread. it's threads like these that make NASIOC what it is. none of that OT bs. good luck to all future readers of this thread.
2.5 years later, my predictions have come true unfortunately.

My left rear is perfectly fine. No clunking. However, I never inserted a washer in the right rear strut so going to home depot now to source one. I'll update this thread if part two of my clunking problem is fixed.
MRF582 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2007, 03:25 PM   #209
MY92
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 51545
Join Date: Dec 2003
Default

Old thread.

But.. can you add the washers with the strut in the car? Or do you have to take it out of the car, compress the springs and then take the hat off?
MY92 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2007, 05:32 PM   #210
BIGSKYWRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7958
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Plains of Eastern Montana
Vehicle:
09 GH B+

Default

Needs to be removed- it goes in between the strut shaft and rear top.
BIGSKYWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2007, 12:15 AM   #211
MRF582
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 48219
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle:
. Always drive
the race line .

Default

I tried to remove the top nut but the whole piston keeps turning. Anybody have any ideas? How do I keep the piston/shaft from spinning? I've tried an impact but the piston/shaft rotates really really easily.
MRF582 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2007, 01:03 AM   #212
fastwrx25
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 126441
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: TPE
Vehicle:
03 bugeye

Default

^^pass through ratcheting socket wrench? harbor frieght has a cheap kit for around 25...sears has the gear ratchet one for 45.
fastwrx25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2007, 10:41 AM   #213
MRF582
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 48219
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle:
. Always drive
the race line .

Default

^^ I don't think that will help. The AGXs don't have a place to put a hex key like the stock ones.
MRF582 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2007, 10:58 AM   #214
BIGSKYWRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7958
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Plains of Eastern Montana
Vehicle:
09 GH B+

Default

I take it these are off the car- if so too late, but I like to break the top nut while still on the car under load- breaks much easier than when off.

Get a buddy w/ rubber gloves on and have him hold on why you give it a go w/ the air, some guys have used strap wrenches too

Konis have a hex head at the top- AGX's nothing?
BIGSKYWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2007, 01:56 PM   #215
MRF582
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 48219
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle:
. Always drive
the race line .

Default

I've tried to break the top nut free on and off the car. I tried on the car first. Same thing. Piston/Shaft rotates too smoothly. The AGXs do have a place at the top to fit a 12mm open ended wrench. So I guess I need to source a shallow 19mm pass-through socket/ratchet and try my luck that way...
MRF582 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2007, 04:27 PM   #216
Arnie
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 1725
Join Date: Jun 2000
Chapter/Region: International
Location: Germany
Vehicle:
2002 Subaru Forester
SG silver

Default

Weird. I have NEVER had a problem zipping the top nut off with my electric impact (plug in style, not cordless). Just reach in between the coils with my hand and hold the piston and zip, they come right off. And I've done several hundred struts. I've noticed on my buddy's harbor freight cordless impact that it works more like a drill than an impact unless it sees a minimum torque resistance and it is impossible to hold the stanchion. It just spins. Using the plug in electric that's only impact, and it zips right off.
Arnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2007, 01:21 AM   #217
MRF582
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 48219
Join Date: Nov 2003
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Vehicle:
. Always drive
the race line .

Default

Sweetness! I guess the air impact I tried must've been really crappy. I tried another friend's impact and held the piston with a rubber strap thing. Finally got the right rear strut fixed and I now longer have wheel hop during right hand turns with oversteer.

Thanks for everyone's help with this. I am very happy.
MRF582 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2008, 06:14 AM   #218
ben_art
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 172635
Join Date: Feb 2008
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Vehicle:
2003 WRX Wagon
PSM

Default

hello all, this is my very first post. thanks in advance for the warm welcome. i own a 2003 ej20(t) wrx wagon. i want to upgrade the suspension with sti (pink) springs and struts, front and rear. can someone knowledgeable please show me grace and lay out exactly what i need to acomplish this. i am going in circles at my local subie dealership. thanks a bunch.
ben_art is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2008, 07:24 AM   #219
fastwrx25
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 126441
Join Date: Sep 2006
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: TPE
Vehicle:
03 bugeye

Default

^^
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1425878

check out this thread

what kind of stuts you thinking about getting?
fastwrx25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-29-2008, 09:02 PM   #220
ben_art
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 172635
Join Date: Feb 2008
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Vehicle:
2003 WRX Wagon
PSM

Default

oem ideally. sti or forester sti?
ben_art is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2008, 06:09 PM   #221
St3lla
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 196633
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Vehicle:
2005 JDM STI
Aspen

Default

So there would be a promblem if wanting to place struts, hats, the works from an 06 to an 04 WRX correct?
St3lla is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2008, 06:30 PM   #222
BIGSKYWRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7958
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Plains of Eastern Montana
Vehicle:
09 GH B+

Default

06 STi to 04 WRX won't work- the springs will work, the tops will work- the front struts won't work
BIGSKYWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2010, 12:38 PM   #223
DriftIt
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 137388
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NorCal
Vehicle:
'05 WRX

Default

I know this thread is probably old news to a lot of you but its very informative and is the only place I've found that actually illustrates why the spacers are necessary when using '02-'03 style struts on '04+ style top-hats. Props to the OP for taking the time to write this up.
DriftIt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2010, 12:54 PM   #224
Arnie
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 1725
Join Date: Jun 2000
Chapter/Region: International
Location: Germany
Vehicle:
2002 Subaru Forester
SG silver

Default

you're welcome! back when i actually documented stuff!
Arnie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2010, 10:12 AM   #225
tcross
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 238552
Join Date: Feb 2010
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Wilkes Barre PA
Vehicle:
0306 WRX, outback
PSM, Beige

Default

hey good post but im still confused would i needthese spacersto put 02 struts on a 03? or will they just bolt up? should i get 02 top hats to install the 02 struts and what year sti springs can i use and what would i have to get to install the 02 struts and sti springs on my 03 wrx. thanks hope ya can help.
tcross is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
03 GR2 with 05 sti prodrive spring with 04 top hat qualityracer Brakes, Steering & Suspension 2 05-20-2009 08:50 AM
WTB: 02/03 WRX Engine or compatible with same Balantz Private 'Wanted' Classifieds 0 09-26-2007 09:40 PM
FS IL: 02/03 WRX struts, V7 STI springs awgrimm Suspension/Brakes/Handling 6 09-10-2006 10:34 AM
FS IL: 02/03 WRX struts, V7 STI springs & more awgrimm MWSOC Private Classifieds 3 09-10-2006 10:33 AM
Why is it that 02/03 rear swaybars aren't compatible with 04+ Imprezas? mr_yellow Brakes, Steering & Suspension 10 03-30-2004 05:32 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:38 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.