Wagon Suspension- read and post your setups

[socrates42]

I've got to replace my stock strut assemblies for the winter, does anyone know if 06 sti take offs will fit on an 04 wagon? Will I loose anything other than camber?

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[williaty]

The take-off SPRINGS will fit. The take-off struts won't fit.

[Superorb]

Originally Posted by williaty

The take-off SPRINGS will fit. The take-off struts won't fit.

The rear struts will fit, but only front housings from an 04 STi will fit.

[SilverFleet]

Originally Posted by BIGSKYWRX

read through this

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/suspen...nt-basics.html

I read through your FAQ and it's really informative. I figured someone would post something like that. Again, sorry for being a total noob. So basically, I want:

-somewhere between -1.4 and -3.0 neg. front camber
-stock settings on the rear camber
-zero toe
-zero cross camber
-zero cross toe

Are these settings ok?

[BIGSKYWRX]

For most instances I would just max out the front oe bolts (generally good for -1.3ish) and call it good for camber (if your autoxing then consider going w/ more neg camber up front)

otherwise yes that looks fine

[stan_tichomirov]

I have an '07 FXT. Currently am on '04+ WRX sedan struts with koni inserts, and RCE wagon springs. I'm using the HDPE 1/2" spacers on the front and the back to gain more height. 0 toe, -1.5 front and -1 back chamber.

I've been running this for a few thoursand miles, and find it a bit too stiff for my daily driving. When I'm in the car alone it's great, but with people/dog in the car I'm more aware of the stiff ride.

So, I want to try '05 STi springs. I'll see how it comes out without spacers, and can add 1/2" rear 1/4" front spacers if needed. What do you guys think?

Car as it sits now:





Stan

[Superorb]

Looks good to me The STi springs only lower a few mm over stock wrx springs, but I'm not sure how they compare to RCE springs which I know are lower/stiffer.

[stan_tichomirov]

I want to be closer to stock WRX height. I'm at a point now where the geometry is on the border of going to crap and affecting handling, the stiffness of the springs offsets that a bit. I want to be 1/2" - 1" higher than now, less stiff and same stance. I can adjust the sway bars stiffer to compensate for the lower spring rate.

RCE wagon springs are too low for my car. Here's my car without the 1/2" spacers.





Stan

[BIGSKYWRX]

on an Impreza the oe STi springs lower ~ 10mm, the RCE springs ~ 30mm

you should see an ~ 20mm ride height gain

[stan_tichomirov]

Perfect! Sounds exactly what I'm looking for. I've read reviews of '04 STi owners using kons with the stock springs and they love it. FXT is basically an '04 STi as far as suspension and weight goes.

Stan

[socrates42]

Originally Posted by Superorb

The rear struts will fit, but only front housings from an 04 STi will fit.

Whats the difference?

[williaty]

The 05+ STis got a new knuckle with a different clevis bolt pattern.

[BIGSKYWRX]

different pattern and the clevis is wider (beefier knuckle) on the 05+ STi

[socrates42]

so you couldn't make a shim to make it fit, the actual holes are in a different spot? that kills my plans for 06 take offs then.

[Superorb]

Originally Posted by socrates42

so you couldn't make a shim to make it fit, the actual holes are in a different spot? that kills my plans for 06 take offs then.

There's no way to make an 06 takeoff fit a WRX short of replacing the spindles too.

[SilverFleet]

I finally had the time today to install my suspension. Here's the current setup:

-Tokico D-Spec struts
-STI Pink wagon springs
-Stock tophats
-Paranoid Fabrications fender braces
-Replica STI rear strut bar
-20mm bugeye sedan RSB

I had a really tough time with this install! I had a friend with me, and usually,we work very fast. We timed the whole install, and it took a good 6 hours. In the end, I think it was all worth it. The car rides a lot better now, and I like the adjustability on the struts. I have it on 5 turns from full for now. I decided to try out adjusting the camber on the struts as well. I used the stock bolts and maxed out the negative camber. It handles really nice now. It also looks absolutely killer!

I also wanted to thank all that helped me out with picking everything out and helping me understand everything. I really appreciate it!

[williaty]

If that was your first time for doing those mods, 6 hours is not a shameful time at all. Good job!

[Xcelr8to1320]

where's the best source for the STi wagon pinks?

~Alex

[SilverFleet]

Originally Posted by williaty

If that was your first time for doing those mods, 6 hours is not a shameful time at all. Good job!

All we did in those 6 hours is the struts and springs. The other stuff was already on the car. Also, I pre-assembled the rear strut assemblies before we began!

I got the wagon pinks from Subaruwrxparts.com. Subarugenuineparts.com is another place that carries them. I believe they both had the same price, but since I'm located in MA, I ordered them from Subaruwrxparts.com as they are in NH. The shipping was much less for me than getting them from Subarugenuineparts.com, which is located in the Northwest. I'd get them from the one with the cheaper shipping, whichever one that may be for you.

[yosemitemtb]

Did the whole install go slow or did one or two things hang you up? My first suspension install went a little long when I forgot the conical washer under the front tophats.

[Xcelr8to1320]

thanks SilverFleet, i want to do my wagon's suspension in the spring/summer.

~Alex

[SilverFleet]

We had a hard time getting the rears off the car. The bolts were really stuck on there. Once we got them out, slapping the new ones in wasn't that bad. the fronts made us want to kill ourselves though. We got them off nice and easy, but getting that lower section of the tophat lined up where it was supposed to be was a major PITA. That took forever! The rubber isolator kept getting jammed in there wrong, and it was hard to get the lower part of the spring and that lower part of the tophat where they needed to be at the same time. Getting them back in the car was really easy, as was adjusting the camber.

[wrkXwagon88]

IM SOOOO excited to put in my new perrin suspension.
New 22mm F+R Sways & F+R Endlinks.

Until a good point was brought up: If Im changing a part of the suspension, Do I have to get an Allignment??

Am I gonna have to wait to scrape up enough $$$ to buy the koni inserts for the STI springs I already have????
Do i do it all at once or can i stiffen it before lowering it?
(without affecting alignment)

migs

[Xcelr8to1320]

if it's a major component, i would strongly advise an alignment.

if possible, do everything to the suspension at one time, then align.

if you disassemble after an alignment and then reassemble there is a chance that someone has shifted enough to cause an alignment change.

~Alex

[wrkXwagon88]

[quote=Xcelr8to1320;24264267]if it's a major component, i would strongly advise an alignment.


So are SWAYS & ENDLINKS considered "major component"?

I dont know how long it will be before i can buy the inserts...