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Old 09-18-2011, 03:18 PM   #1
Overland04
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Default Stance GR+ Coilover Install | 2011 WRX

Time for another install.
Check out my build thread to see more images, write-ups and a lot more installs. Here is the link.

This time I decided to upgrade the suspension to Coilovers in order to get a little more dampening and to lower the car down.
I went with STANCE for a couple reasons. Customer service, Built in the USA, great price, availability, and ease of install. My first thought was to do Koni shocks and springs and would have done it if they weren't backordered for a while longer. In my search for Koni's I ran into THMotorsport who happened to be having a Labor Day sale so I was able to get the Stance's for $1100.

First impression was amazed by the quality of the coilover, my last pair was over 10 years ago and they were $2800 w/o camber plates and height adjustment at the bottom of the strut. They have come a long way and they are built as works of art, they're beautiful!

Okay, so to the install pictures...

Before the install


Tools needed besides a Jack and Jack stands (or lift)


Rear first: Remove the 17mm bolt at the bottom of the shock and the 14mm bolt on the sway bar.


Remove the two 14mm bolts inside the car.


Once all the bolts mentioned above are removed, push down on the rear brake rotor to release the shock from the lower trailing arm them remove the entire shock out from the car. Repeat on opposite side.

Once both are out, its time to measure.


Stock was at 17-1/2" from top to top of lower mounting bolt.


I took a guess and estimated 14-3/4" for the STANCE coilovers.


Time to install already. I placed the lower shock bolts it and the strut bar bolts in but only hand tight. (both sides)


The I used the jack on the lower knuckle to raise the shock into its mounting holes. Once the shock as getting compressed by jacking, I knew the shock was seated. I bolted the two 14mm bolts and set the dampening to 8 out of 15. (repeat on opposite side)


Once you have the inside bolts torqued, torque the lower shock bolt and the sway bar bolt. Lower the car back down and enjoy the new lowered rear!

Time for the Fronts!
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Last edited by Overland04; 04-03-2012 at 09:04 AM.
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Old 09-18-2011, 03:19 PM   #2
Overland04
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Fronts are really easy, almost easier then the rears...

Remove the two 12mm bolts, one holding the brake line and the other holding the ABS sensor. Then remove the two 19mm bolts holding the strut to the hub.



Remove the three 12mm bolts under the hood. Once the bolts are removed the strut basically falls out (be careful)



Do the same measurements as you did in the rear. The stock struts were 17-1/2" and the Stances's were 15-1/4". The most important for me was to be exact between each side. If they are to high or too low at least they will be evenly high or low.



Installation is reverse of removal, bolt the top 12mm bolts, them jack up the knuckle till the large 19mm bolts slide in, them lastly most the two 12mm bolts for the brake and ABS lines.



I started out with my camber at +2 on both sides, mostly because I want to run as close to stock as possible.


Once everything is torqued, get the wheels back on then lower the car to reveal a sweet ride!

After the install











I took the car for a nice long ride over as much terrain as I could find to get a good feel of the setup. I'm in love so far, they are tight but not bouncy, the dampening is perfect with them all set at 8 out of 15, no squeaks, no rubbing, and it sits perfect for my taste.
I'm going to get the car aligned and corner balanced next thursday so I'm not to stressed about if the height is perfect on all 4 corners but as of now before settling, from the bottom of the center cap to the center of the fenders are all exactly at 14-1/2" The car doesn't pull at all and feels great.
Overall took about 2 hours not counting taking pictures. and I give it a 3 out of 10 for an install level.

Cheers!!

Last edited by Overland04; 03-04-2012 at 09:06 AM.
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Old 09-18-2011, 03:36 PM   #3
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nice write up. love to see great pictures!
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Old 09-18-2011, 04:48 PM   #4
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I wish my car was that clean underneath, lol. Great write up.

I'm interested in these coilovers after this write up and seeing the ease of installation. Have you had any of the bumping or knocking associated with some coilover installs during turns or road bumps?
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Old 09-18-2011, 06:21 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sethsdown View Post
nice write up. love to see great pictures!
Thanks Seth!

Quote:
Originally Posted by stormhalter View Post
I wish my car was that clean underneath, lol. Great write up.

I'm interested in these coilovers after this write up and seeing the ease of installation. Have you had any of the bumping or knocking associated with some coilover installs during turns or road bumps?
Hey Storm, So far so good. Tough to really tell at the moment. I just put another 40 miles on them to get a better feel. I'm at about a 1-1/4" drop on stock 17x8 235-45 R17 tires. With the stock set-up I have no rubbing, scraping, knocking or anything, just a great ride so far. I would like to keep updating as the miles rack on but for now since they've only been in for 6 hours I don't have a very good evaluation report.

The dampening is amazing though!

Cheers!
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Old 09-18-2011, 06:24 PM   #6
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subscribed.....stances seem really popular because of their price....im interested to know how long they hold up before you start having problems....please keep updating as you see fit but dont forget about this
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Old 09-18-2011, 09:20 PM   #7
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stance aren't made in the USA.
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Old 09-18-2011, 09:33 PM   #8
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i cant see the pics on photobucket because they are blocked here....but its too low
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Old 09-18-2011, 09:42 PM   #9
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^
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Old 09-18-2011, 10:09 PM   #10
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Hi, I'm the Brakes, Steering & Suspension technical forum. I'm the proper location for this thread.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Overland04 View Post
Is that nut the extended style that passes down through the pillow ball, like this Cusco one?


If it's not, then that seems like some pretty sketchy thread engagement.

Last edited by Patrick Olsen; 01-23-2015 at 11:52 AM.
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Old 09-18-2011, 10:47 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sc00by4life View Post
stance aren't made in the USA.
+1

My buddy got some earlier this year for his 350z and the disaster in Japan prevented them from getting to the US for awhile.
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Old 09-18-2011, 10:56 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Patrick Olsen View Post
Hi, I'm the Brakes, Steering & Suspension technical forum. I'm the proper location for this thread.


Is that nut the extended style that passes down through the pillow ball, like this Cusco one?


If it's not, then that seems like some pretty sketchy thread engagement.
Not sure about OP's, but my GR+ Pro's (from the first batch released) have the nut with the extended sleeve.
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Old 09-19-2011, 12:23 AM   #13
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Ive got the gr+plus pros on my 02 wagon. Installed them about 8k miles ago and havent had any problems with them. Theyre responsive enough for autox and are comfy enough for dd use. The build quality was great for the price.
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Old 09-19-2011, 12:30 AM   #14
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You can't possibly drive this car any farther than around the garage.... How the hell is it so clean underneath???
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Old 09-19-2011, 12:35 AM   #15
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like how it sits looks good!
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Old 09-19-2011, 07:35 AM   #16
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i see your after pic but how much room do you have for raising it. can i get up to stock height? reason i ask is id love some coilovers but i already have to roll up on some 2x4's for oil changes for my mechanics lift, any lower and he'll really hate me.
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Old 09-19-2011, 09:57 AM   #17
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^ id like to know as well. I already sit low enough stock.
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Old 09-19-2011, 10:52 AM   #18
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helpfull
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Old 09-19-2011, 11:54 AM   #19
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nice write up , maybe include the torque spec
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Old 09-19-2011, 01:48 PM   #20
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which stance coilover did you get? LX or GR plus
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Old 09-19-2011, 02:36 PM   #21
Overland04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluemax189 View Post
i see your after pic but how much room do you have for raising it. can i get up to stock height? reason i ask is id love some coilovers but i already have to roll up on some 2x4's for oil changes for my mechanics lift, any lower and he'll really hate me.
Hey Bluemax,
I don't believe I can get it to stock height. With having a safe amount of threads in the lower bracket I can probably raise it up a 1/2" which would give the car an estimated 3/4" drop. It looks a lot lower then it really is though, you should be ok on most lifts.
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Old 09-19-2011, 02:44 PM   #22
Overland04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RL-N-AH View Post
which stance coilover did you get? LX or GR plus
They are the GR+
I didn't do a ton of research before I bought but the LX seem nice too. The inverted shock isn't a deal breaker for me so if I could have bought the LX for lets say $900, I probably would have.
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Old 09-19-2011, 02:50 PM   #23
Overland04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jordanc15 View Post
You can't possibly drive this car any farther than around the garage.... How the hell is it so clean underneath???
Hey Jordan,

I swear the car isn't as low as the picture looks, the more I look at it, I'm wondering why it looks that low. The drivers side was on a little hill about 4" higher the the passenger but in all honestly it's almost an exact 1-1/4 drop all around.
I'll take new pictures this weekend on flat pavement.

Oh also, the car only has 500 miles on it, I can only hope after a winter in Maine it will be this clean
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Old 12-17-2011, 10:24 AM   #24
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sub so i can knw what tools to use to lower car :thumbsup:
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Old 12-17-2011, 10:39 AM   #25
Overland04
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jwongx27 View Post
sub so i can knw what tools to use to lower car :thumbsup:
I was shocked that it only took a couple hand tools to do...
Even if you had to buy the tools separately it would cost about $20
The picture in the top post is an accurate image of the tools used except for a jack and some jack stands.

Good luck!!
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