07 WRX struts/springs on my BG wagon

[scoobydorift]

Okay I got stock 07 WRX struts, springs and top hats to go onto my 99 BG wagon. My question is, will it lower the car at all? Raise it? Will I need Saggy Butt spacers? I did search for this, so sorry if it has been asked before. I will post pictures when it is done.

Going to install these this week-

Whiteline roll center kit, balljoints and tie rod ends.
07 WRX struts springs - 20k miles
08 WRX wheels(still need to buy tires)


My car currently

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P9180068-1.jpg

i dont think 04+ struts work...

it may be only the sti stuff though...

[scoobydorift]

I think it is only the 05+ STi that wont fit as they went to the 5x114.3 hubs which are physically larger.

Im just thinking once I put the suspension on the rear will be lower than the front and look weird.

[slaytalera]

I think it is only the 05+ STi that wont fit as they went to the 5x114.3 hubs which are physically larger.

Im just thinking once I put the suspension on the rear will be lower than the front and look weird.

That is correct, 05+sti suspension parts wont fit, but any 02-07 wrx/impreza suspension should just bolt up.

[chuckthefuk]

Are you sure 08' WRX wheels are 5x100?
If I am not mistaken 07 WRX sturts fit but the bottom camber bolt hole is slightly off by a few mm's or this might be a 05+ sti.. I am not sure but you should double check that.

As far as the rear needing spacers.. 100%

As far as lowering the car the GD chassis is almost the same weight as the BD/BK chassis. So you may drop a few mm's but nothing noticeable.

-Chuck

[jey]

08 WRX has 5x100 wheels, except the STi.

[scoobydorift]

A Update:

All in all it took me 3 whole days, the ball joints took up about 2 of those, and drilling and extracting bolts was a whole day.It all started when the car had a minor vibration in the steering wheel, and it was not the tires so I decided to do new ball joints and tie rod ends.

Here is what I installed

07 WRX complete suspension
Whiteline Ball joints and Tie Rod ends
Whiteline steering rack bushings
driver side inner tie rod + new boot


to be installed

08 WRX wheels
Cusco adjustable rear sway bar


Some pics

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0735-1.jpg
Broke the head off the ball joint bolt

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0739-1.jpg
Tried an extractor set. Broke 2 bits off into the hub, ended up drilling out the whole thing anyway.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0760-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0757-1.jpg
The ball joints were being a bitch, so I decided to remove the brake assembly to have more room to get at them. Ended up breaking the head off the big 17mm bolt.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0743-1.jpg
Struts went on without any hassle at all

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0767-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0765-1.jpg
Everything I took off

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0771-1.jpg
some minor cuts and bruises

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0769-1.jpg
Yay its all done




Now I just need to order new bolts to replace the ones I broke, get an alignment and buy tires. I'm glad its over.

[scoobydorift]

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/IMG_0746-1.jpg


So I replaced all the broken bolts with new OEM bolts, and will be going in for an alignment today.

Tires: Im thinking I will do the Dunlop Direzza DZ101, for the money they seem like a good comprmise between sport and comfort.
I want to go 225/45/17 but im afraid they might rub. Any input on that?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/dunhzkang-1.jpg

[scoobydorift]

upon further research I dont think a 225 will fit under the rear of my wagon. I might go with a 205/50/17 im worried they will be a bit too tall, does anyone have any pics of them mounted on a wheel?

[scoobydorift]

cars in the shop getting an alignment woot woot!

[jey]

Wow, good work! Yeah there's no way those bolts come off easily on an old car - the new parts looks nice!

[boxingfanatic]

pics of the car? did it lower the car? did you use the same front and rear tophats?

[scoobydorift]

Some updated pics with my camera.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5220189-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5220191-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5220196-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5220197-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5220200-1.jpg


Crappy angled driveway. The rear does sit a bit lower than the front, I did not really notice any "drop", but I did not measure before and after.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5230235-1.jpg

All together
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5230240-1.jpg

The 240 got some new shoes
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/05/P5220204-1.jpg

[scoobydorift]

pics of the car? did it lower the car? did you use the same front and rear tophats?


Yeah it was a 100% remove and replace with complete stock 07 WRX struts, springs, and tophats.


I have only put about 20 miles on it since the alignment and it does ride better, but I had a chance to take it on the freeway and I still get the vibration at 65 mph :smt011 I will be ordering tires this week and putting on the new wheels, so if that does not take care of it, I may try new hubs and if that does not work, check out the steering rack and control arm bushings. From wrestling with those ball joints all the control arm bushings seemed to be fine, but with 170K on the chassis you never know. Also when the car was in the air I spun the wheels, its possible that the front wheel bearings may be starting to go, but hard to say for sure. I'm frustrated but I am committed on keeping this car for at least 3 more years, so I just got to keep at it.

What really sucks is that after driving the 240 for the last week, my leggy feels heavy, slow and boring to drive. My 240 is almost bone stock and I just freshened up the front end also with a new powersteering rack, bushings, and Tein tie rod ends. It feels so much better than the leggy, it has better acceleration, brakes, handling, seating position, fun factor, and is also beautifully air conditioned. But the wagon is just extremely practical for what I do and where I live, so I will probably be selling the 240 here shortly.

Viva la wagon :smt028

[scoobydorift]

Well I ordered some tires today.

Sumitomo HTR Z III 205/50/17


Could no pass up the deal on Tirerack.com 300.00 shipped after mail in rebate

[scoobydorift]

Almost forgot about this thread. Im loving the new suspension, tires and wheels. I still need to get some saggy butt spacers, but have just been busy with school and work. Here is a quick pic.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/06/IMG_0788-1.jpg

[chuckthefuk]

Hooray! for a good suspension setup!

If you cant get the spacers you can always try the plastic cutting board DIY spacers :-D

Your leggy is looking good.
-Chuck

[httrdd]

So no problem with bolting the 07 wrx struts up? I am looking at a set with prodrive springs. Should be a nice setup.

[XBW]

Yeah it was a 100% remove and replace with complete stock 07 WRX struts, springs, and tophats.

no drilling, no filing, no reversing, meaning its a direct bolt in with no modifications needed.