H&R + KYB Installed (Pics) 56k OK

[MitchGT]

I installed my new springs and struts on Saturday. The springs were the H&R's that I got cheap from subaruparts.com. I also installed KYB GR-2s all around and new Group-N front strut mounts. The install took me about 6 hours since it was my first time and I didn't have access to air tools but overall it was pretty straightforward. Thanks to everyone that gave tips and instructions and to Dobes for the headsup on the springs. Anyway, here are the pics:
Before:

Rear stock vs. H&R: (These springs are designed for a wagon so the drop in the rear isn't as much as the front)

Front stock vs. H&R:

New front assembly:

Final Results:




Review:
I love this setup. The drop is not too drastic and I like that. I can still go over speedbumps with no problems. Cornering is now much flatter and there is little to no nose lift or dive in corners and between shifts. The ride is a little harsher but the KYBs do a great job absorbing the bumps. I'm still expecting the rears to settle a little more. So just for the record, despite what H&R says, these springs WILL work on a sedan; you just need the Impreza spring perches for the front. I also trimmed the rubber perch by about 1 inch to make it work.

Overall drop was 1.25" in the front and 1" in the back

Questions? Comments?

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[fibuz]

Be careful while the springs settle...odds are things will drop a little more before settling, so watch out on speed bumps

Looks great though! Welcome to the lowered BE squad!

fibuz

[JLow03]

So wait, the H&Rs for the wagon will work on the sedan? I've always been told no. It's fine with me if the rear is higher; I like a little rake.

Looks great!

[Kawikid20o2]

looks great...must handle real well now huh!


i want to do that same setup on my wagon, the gr2's cannot be beat for that price!

[MitchGT]

Originally Posted by JLow03

So wait, the H&Rs for the wagon will work on the sedan? I've always been told no. It's fine with me if the rear is higher; I like a little rake.

Looks great!

yup, sure will. and there is a little rake but i'm sure the rears are going to settle more, they've only been on for a day. All that is needed to make them work is the Impreza perches which are like $10 each because the tops of the front springs have a smaller diameter than the stock ones. It is nice to know that there is another spring option out there for us BE guys.

[iamrazor]

looks good Mitch. Wish I had a smiliar setup. please be sure to let us know how it is in a few days after everything settles.

So did you use Grp N's for the fronts only? what did you do in rear?

[MitchGT]

Originally Posted by iamrazor

looks good Mitch. Wish I had a smiliar setup. please be sure to let us know how it is in a few days after everything settles.

So did you use Grp N's for the fronts only? what did you do in rear?

Thanks!

Yeah I used the Group-N's on the fronts but the were not necessary. They are the same dimensions as the stock mounts, only stiffer. For the rears I used the stock mounts and they work fine. So literally the only thing necessary to make the H&Rs work is the front perches.

[Huffer]

Mitch - chuck up the part#s for the items you bought... that will avoid any confusion over what part was used...

[MitchGT]

Originally Posted by Huffer

Mitch - chuck up the part#s for the items you bought... that will avoid any confusion over what part was used...

Perches - Subaru PN 20323FA000
Springs - H&R PN 29443
KYB's - Front PN 334273 & 334274 (L&R)
Rear PN 341275

I don't remember the part number for the strut mounts but they can be found just about everywhere.

[bhall]

Looks good Mitch! So you did end up having to cut the stops to make it work? Either way I am glad you FINALLY got it all in How was the install overall? Any other helpful hints while it is fresh in your head to help others searching in the future?

How where the lower strut bolts? Let me guess like 500 ft/lbs

[TRH_legacy2k]

Looks good! (sorry, that's all I got!)

[MitchGT]

Originally Posted by bhall

Looks good Mitch! So you did end up having to cut the stops to make it work? Either way I am glad you FINALLY got it all in How was the install overall? Any other helpful hints while it is fresh in your head to help others searching in the future?

How where the lower strut bolts? Let me guess like 500 ft/lbs

Thanks Bryan. No it wasn't the stops that I cut, it was the rubber piece that goes between the springs and the perch in the front. (I had to compensate for the smaller diameter of the top of the H&Rs and the Impreza perches) As for the lower strut bolts: They were a pain. I soaked them all in PB Blaster for about an hour. The fronts were easy enough that I could get them off with just an 18" breaker bar. The back left required me (6'1", 250 lbs) standing on the breaker bar. For the back right I used a 2' breaker bar with a ball/socket extension that my mechanic friend had. As for other tips: Make sure to put the the correct front strut on the correct side. I made this mistake but caught myself before I tightened it down. Also, and this will save you some time, make sure to take note of how the rear strut mounts are lined up with on the rear shock. My first one was off by about 10 degrees or so and I had to re-compress the spring and rotate the mount to the right position so the bottom strut bolt could pass through.

[MitchGT]

Just an update: These springs have settled a little more and the back has evened out. I'll get pics up after work if this damn rain ever stops.

[Teh Legacy]

Looks good, Mitch! The drop isn't quite as drastic as my iONs, but I like it!

For comparison:





Jonathan

[MitchGT]

Jonathan - Thanks. I was actually using your iON thread for comparison when I was done to compare the drop. It's actually pretty close now that they have settled more. I actually freaked out when I put the two rear springs (stock/H&R) next to each other and saw that there was only about a half inch in difference. I kind of expected this since they are suposed to be wagon springs but the are settling in nicely.

[flanders]

I had my springs and struts installed yesterday. I am loving it! I would throw in a dancing banana if I knew how.

Thanks to Mitch for the part # on the spring perches. I had new stock top mounts installed as well. I would recommend the correct rubber mounts for the front perches, mine were cut to fit.

[MitchGT]

Sweet! Get some pics up soon. Glad I could help w/the PNs.

[flanders]

I'm going on an epic drive tomorrow in rain soaked Sonoma and Mendicino couties. Hopefully I can get some good pics.

It is really strange getting into the car now that it is lower. The ride is great, firmer but not too. Real flat in turns and no squat and dive. I also have every Kartboy bushing installed which helps it feel solid.

[zumspdrx7]

where did you get the Group-N strut mounts? and do you have the PN by a chance? thanks a lot for the info. ive been searching everywhere for a suspension set up for my car.

[Wiscon_Mark]

www.subarugenuineparts.com

[seowitz]

....starting to wish i would have gone with the h&r's now as that looks to be the amount of lowering i wanted.....as opposed to the eibach pro kit's since the eibach's weren't wagon specific springs....

[legacy99black]

I'm gonna give this a little update bump...

So how is this setup holding up?

Do you still like it? Recommend it?

How much do you think it settled?

Are your rubbing at all now w/ the 18's?

-Rob

[MitchGT]

They're holding up great. I still love the ride and handling, but it may be too rough for some. Potholes definately shake you up a bit. It definatey settled at least another half-inch all around since the first pics in this thread was taken:


No rubbing issues at all though.

[gtwagon941]

any straight on side shots of it fully settled?

Jared

[Sleeper20t]

Man, I swear ive seen that car before...??