Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 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 06-01-2012, 08:33 AM   #51
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by drawblood View Post
I've been driving for several days on the new Koni's, and I'm starting to get a "knocking" sound on low speed bumps from the front driver side. Has anyone else had this issue?
Check the hex-head bolt that you used to secure the insert into the housing. Also, the easy stuff- endlink bolts, tophat bolts, the 3 strut tower bolts, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by drawblood View Post
Great write-up, and fairly easy install. I would add a metric pass-thru socket set to the list of things that are a must. It's impossible to tighten the nuts on the top hat without it. http://toolguyd.com/craftsman-max-ax...t-and-sockets/
See bold below.
Quote:
Originally Posted by phenryiv1 View Post
Tools:
  • Torque wrench (3/8" and ½" in my case)
  • Metric sockets (I have "go-thru" sockets from harbor Freight as well as regular metric sockets)
  • Socket wrenches
  • Allen head sockets- specifically 6mm and 8mm
  • Bench vice
  • Tape measure (one with metric markings helps)
  • Hacksaw
  • Drill with assorted bits (1/8" 3/8" and ½" in my case)
  • Assorted screwdrivers
  • Rags
  • Catch basin/bucket
  • Punch (or a really hard, sharp screw or nail)
  • Hammer
  • Sharpie
  • Masking tape
  • Threadlocker (Red)
Also, I don't know why the second link to go-thru sockets from your post did not show up, but when I quoted you I saw that you linked to the exact set that I have. I'll post the link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-piec...set-67974.html
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Last edited by phenryiv1; 06-01-2012 at 08:38 AM.
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 06-01-2012, 08:45 AM   #52
cianuro
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 235475
Join Date: Jan 2010
Chapter/Region: PRSIC
Location: Puerto Rico
Vehicle:
2008 WRX
Silver

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by drawblood

Thanks cianuro. Just to clarify...the holes your speaking of are the holes for that the rubber damper is held in place with, right (i.e. pressed into the holes and protrude through the perch)? Thanks again...
They're in the top perch, the one that holds the spring in place before you start the reassembly. I had the same knocking/vibration issue and when I took out the shock I noticed the top perch was not properly aligned. I had a look at the service manual and it said that the holes need to be parallel to the car's side, therefore parallel to the bolts that hold the complete shock assembly to the car. The noise stopped after doing this.
cianuro is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2012, 10:43 AM   #53
drawblood
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 286937
Join Date: Jun 2011
Default

Credit to phenryiv1 for the picture and cianuro for orientation clarification

drawblood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2012, 11:06 AM   #54
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

I need to check that orientation on my own car, now that you mention it...
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2012, 11:43 AM   #55
drawblood
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 286937
Join Date: Jun 2011
Default

I found my orientation was correct, but my HD link nuts had come loose during the install process. My guess is they've loose for a while but started making noise after I jacked the car up. Yikes! Best be checking those more regularly.

As previously posted...my "knocking" noise wasn't coming from the shocks at all. Check your HD link nuts while your under there!
drawblood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2012, 11:30 AM   #56
young_skywalker
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 290707
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NW Arkansas
Vehicle:
2008 WRX Hatch
Silver

Default

Used this thread extensively for my Koni install last night. Thanks!
young_skywalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2012, 03:24 PM   #57
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by young_skywalker View Post
Used this thread extensively for my Koni install last night. Thanks!
Glad that it helped!
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2012, 08:15 AM   #58
Scooby921
Merci Buckets
Moderator
 
Member#: 88606
Join Date: Jun 2005
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Michigan
Vehicle:
2018 Grand Cherokee
Velvet Red Pearl

Default

Well done on the install/walkthrough. I don't recall whether or not there have been other Koni install threads for the 2008+, but this one gets the seal of approval. It's been added to the install/walkthrough sticky
Scooby921 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 01:56 PM   #59
swagen
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 293427
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Chicago Burbs
Vehicle:
2003 WRX Wagon
WRB

Default

This is a great write up. Followed this for my install. Thanks !
swagen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 02:02 PM   #60
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by swagen View Post
This is a great write up. Followed this for my install. Thanks !
Good deal. If you want print-all-at-once format, see the link on Page 1 to my homepage.

EDIT: Nevermind- that link is not yet hot.
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-17-2013, 02:07 PM   #61
Stretch18
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 239822
Join Date: Mar 2010
Chapter/Region: South East
Location: America's Penis
Vehicle:
2010 WRX
pandiculation

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by phenryiv1 View Post
Good deal. If you want print-all-at-once format, see the link on Page 1 to my homepage.

EDIT: Nevermind- that link is not yet hot.
Thanks here too; this came in handy. I wouldn't have otherwise realized that I needed to buy the longer bolts!

Stretch18 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 01:00 PM   #62
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Bumping this as the annual Koni Shock Value sale is either underway or just around the corner.
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 03:29 PM   #63
13FLGT
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 308566
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: fort drum NY
Vehicle:
2011 Legacy GT 2.5
Black

Default

hey brother, I have 2011 Legacy GT that I want to do this install in. I am in Italy so OEM WRX struts are hard to find all for donors. I have searched on ebay to see them but to no avail on a complete set that are 08 WRX. I was thinking of using the upgraded version of the KYB which only gives a stiffness of 15% over stock. Will this work as donors? I plan on using RACE COMP springs as well. Do you think this project will work for me? Also what bump stops did you use? I have to use my OEM top hats as well.

https://shop.bostonmotorsports.com/K...cy_p_1587.html
13FLGT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 03:35 PM   #64
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13FLGT View Post
hey brother, I have 2011 Legacy GT that I want to do this install in. I am in Italy so OEM WRX struts are hard to find all for donors. I have searched on ebay to see them but to no avail on a complete set that are 08 WRX. I was thinking of using the upgraded version of the KYB which only gives a stiffness of 15% over stock. Will this work as donors? I plan on using RACE COMP springs as well. Do you think this project will work for me? Also what bump stops did you use? I have to use my OEM top hats as well.

https://shop.bostonmotorsports.com/K...cy_p_1587.html
I don't know if the strut bodies on the KYBs will work...I don't know if the body is the same specifications as the OEM Subaru bodies, so you do run the risk of the body being too large or too small to fit the inserts. If Boston has them in stock (they might drop-ship them), they might measure them for you. If so, post up and I can measure one of the spare struts that I have for comparison.

I can tell you that I have a set of 2010 and a set of 2011 WRX housings in my garage. The 2010 set is on my car but I bought a set of 2011 struts to gut to re-do the install, as the different design of the mounting points on the '10 struts give me more "natural" negative camber than I'd have if I used '11 strut housings.

Now that I have the '11s, I will either be removing the '10s and selling them (already prepped for Konis) or I will be selling the '11 set in the near future.
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 03:39 PM   #65
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13FLGT View Post
Also what bump stops did you use? I have to use my OEM top hats as well.
I honestly don't know. If you scroll back to my bumpstop pictures I had 2 different pairs...I don't know what they came from- I just know which ones I actually used. And even those were shortened.



The middle one is the same as the left one but I cut off the bottom part.
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 03:49 PM   #66
13FLGT
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 308566
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: fort drum NY
Vehicle:
2011 Legacy GT 2.5
Black

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by phenryiv1 View Post
I don't know if the strut bodies on the KYBs will work...I don't know if the body is the same specifications as the OEM Subaru bodies, so you do run the risk of the body being too large or too small to fit the inserts. If Boston has them in stock (they might drop-ship them), they might measure them for you. If so, post up and I can measure one of the spare struts that I have for comparison.

I can tell you that I have a set of 2010 and a set of 2011 WRX housings in my garage. The 2010 set is on my car but I bought a set of 2011 struts to gut to re-do the install, as the different design of the mounting points on the '10 struts give me more "natural" negative camber than I'd have if I used '11 strut housings.

Now that I have the '11s, I will either be removing the '10s and selling them (already prepped for Konis) or I will be selling the '11 set in the near future.
2010 WRX struts won't fit my 2011 Legacy 2.5 GT. I have to use the 08 WRX struts. The KW3 coilovers that were made for the 08 WRX fit my car and I know a couple members in the LGT forums that run them. I like the Bilsteins from RCE but they have started producing it yet. I like the Koni's only because they are adjustable. I kind of like that function on drop in shocks and springs. I have the tools in Italy on base to do a lot of the work. I just don't have the parts to actually do it. I am afraid of getting the wrong parts and having it as a complete wash. I am not that mechanically inclined. But from the step by step it looks simple enough. I just have to do it for a legacy lol.
13FLGT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 03:57 PM   #67
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13FLGT View Post
2010 WRX struts won't fit my 2011 Legacy 2.5 GT. I have to use the 08 WRX struts. The KW3 coilovers that were made for the 08 WRX fit my car and I know a couple members in the LGT forums that run them.
It is interesting that the only WRX struts that will work as donors would be the 2008. While the rates (both spring rate and strut rate/stiffness) in '08 were vastly different from '09-10 and then later '11-13 models, it was my understanding that the housings form 2008-2010 were identical, with only the guts being different. Thus, if an '08 strut design would mechanically fit in your Legacy then logically an '09-10 should as well, with an '11-13 model working but giving more positive camber.

As the Konin install process completely guts the housing, my understanding was that that would make all 2008-10 housings identical in function as they relate to a Koni install.

I could be completely nuts, however.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13FLGT View Post
I have the tools in Italy on base to do a lot of the work. I am not that mechanically inclined. But from the step by step it looks simple enough. I just have to do it for a legacy lol.
It really is as simple as it looks, and if you have access to a shop on a military base you have more than enough tools to accomplish the task.
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 04:10 PM   #68
13FLGT
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 308566
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: fort drum NY
Vehicle:
2011 Legacy GT 2.5
Black

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by phenryiv1 View Post
It is interesting that the only WRX struts that will work as donors would be the 2008. While the rates (both spring rate and strut rate/stiffness) in '08 were vastly different from '09-10 and then later '11-13 models, it was my understanding that the housings form 2008-2010 were identical, with only the guts being different. Thus, if an '08 strut design would mechanically fit in your Legacy then logically an '09-10 should as well, with an '11-13 model working but giving more positive camber.

As the Konin install process completely guts the housing, my understanding was that that would make all 2008-10 housings identical in function as they relate to a Koni install.

I could be completely nuts, however.


It really is as simple as it looks, and if you have access to a shop on a military base you have more than enough tools to accomplish the task.
hmmmm I wonder how much truth to it does it have? I just saw someone on the 08 koni install in the for sale forums. However, it is on an 08 2.5 non wrx. I wonder if that would fit?
13FLGT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 04:11 PM   #69
isotopesope
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 265783
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: the fern behind the porn couch
Vehicle:
2017 Forester XT
Niner ROS 9

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13FLGT View Post
hey brother, I have 2011 Legacy GT that I want to do this install in. I am in Italy so OEM WRX struts are hard to find all for donors. I have searched on ebay to see them but to no avail on a complete set that are 08 WRX. I was thinking of using the upgraded version of the KYB which only gives a stiffness of 15% over stock. Will this work as donors? I plan on using RACE COMP springs as well. Do you think this project will work for me? Also what bump stops did you use? I have to use my OEM top hats as well.

https://shop.bostonmotorsports.com/K...cy_p_1587.html
why can't you use your existing legacy struts as the donors? i have a brand new set of excel g's at home, waiting for me to make some time to install them... when i get home today, i can measure the strut housing OD for you.
isotopesope is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 04:13 PM   #70
phenryiv1
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 91212
Join Date: Jul 2005
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Vehicle:
2011 WRX 5DR
Satin White Pearl

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13FLGT View Post
hmmmm I wonder how much truth to it does it have? I just saw someone on the 08 koni install in the for sale forums. However, it is on an 08 2.5 non wrx. I wonder if that would fit?
Non-WRX struts are often used as Koni cores since they get gutted anyway.
phenryiv1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 04:18 PM   #71
gsrcrxsi
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 236952
Join Date: Jan 2010
Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Baltimore
Vehicle:
2010 WRX (SSM)
Stg 2+ 310/370, 6sp R180

Default

the housings ARE identical between 08-10. i have a 2010 WRX, i used 2008 WRX struts as donors. same thing.

only 2011+ WRX are different.
gsrcrxsi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 04:18 PM   #72
isotopesope
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 265783
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: the fern behind the porn couch
Vehicle:
2017 Forester XT
Niner ROS 9

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by phenryiv1 View Post
It is interesting that the only WRX struts that will work as donors would be the 2008. While the rates (both spring rate and strut rate/stiffness) in '08 were vastly different from '09-10 and then later '11-13 models, it was my understanding that the housings form 2008-2010 were identical, with only the guts being different. Thus, if an '08 strut design would mechanically fit in your Legacy then logically an '09-10 should as well, with an '11-13 model working but giving more positive camber.
the front '11+ wrx struts are also a half inch longer from the spring perch to the mounting bracket. i wanted to put stock 2012 wrx stuff on my 08, but am going to avoid it for the lack of negative camber and extra front height.
isotopesope is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 04:20 PM   #73
13FLGT
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 308566
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: fort drum NY
Vehicle:
2011 Legacy GT 2.5
Black

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gsrcrxsi View Post
the housings ARE identical between 08-10. i have a 2010 WRX, i used 2008 WRX struts as donors. same thing.

only 2011+ WRX are different.
ok so the ones that OP might be selling soon would be good to go for this project?
13FLGT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 04:25 PM   #74
13FLGT
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 308566
Join Date: Jan 2012
Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: fort drum NY
Vehicle:
2011 Legacy GT 2.5
Black

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by isotopesope View Post
why can't you use your existing legacy struts as the donors? i have a brand new set of excel g's at home, waiting for me to make some time to install them... when i get home today, i can measure the strut housing OD for you.
I can only have one vehicle here in Italy and it's my DD. Finding Legacy Donor Struts is a pain in the you know what right now. Especially 2011's. That would be awesome. I guess I can search EBAY again.

but.....if anyone is selling their 08 Koni's let me know. I am in the market.

Last edited by 13FLGT; 03-12-2013 at 04:44 PM.
13FLGT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-12-2013, 05:27 PM   #75
isotopesope
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 265783
Join Date: Dec 2010
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: the fern behind the porn couch
Vehicle:
2017 Forester XT
Niner ROS 9

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13FLGT View Post
I can only have one vehicle here in Italy and it's my DD. Finding Legacy Donor Struts is a pain in the you know what right now. Especially 2011's. That would be awesome. I guess I can search EBAY again.

but.....if anyone is selling their 08 Koni's let me know. I am in the market.
sure, but i would imagine you could dissect your current struts and get them reassembled with the inserts, new springs, etc. within a reasonable amount of time. especially if donor struts are such a scarcity, it seems well worth the effort to make it happen.
isotopesope 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
How To: Install Evo X seats in wrx/STi xxscaxx Interior & Exterior Modification 172 01-23-2017 10:25 PM
Who installs Koni inserts? Rich10 Tri-State Area Forum 7 06-21-2005 04:11 PM
How is it to install koni inserts? titanium wrx Factory 2.0L Turbo Powertrain (EJ Series Factory 2.0L Turbo) 2 07-08-2004 04:45 PM
Installing Koni Inserts... BlackEye Brakes, Steering & Suspension 9 06-26-2003 10:53 PM
Anyone here actually install Koni inserts? bbaerotek Brakes, Steering & Suspension 15 02-27-2002 01:20 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:17 PM.


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.