What's the deal with the springs?

[shredtahoe]

Ok, so I want to lower my bh outback. I am trying to understand the interchangeability of the springs that came from the factory in this generation. Is the only difference in the actual suspension components (i already know about the spacers on everything for outbacks) the strut between a outback and an L? In other words, if i bought aftermarket springs for a bh legacy onto my 2002 outback, would they fit on my stock struts?

I would like to put some h&r's on my stock struts to reduce body roll and drop it a little bit, and then by the time my stock struts wear out i will be able to get some legacy gt gr2's. Is what I want to do possible? Or do i have to buy the h&r's at the same time i buy legacy gt struts and that is the only way it would work?

thanks in advance

[chuckthefuk]

Loweing springs mounted on Outback struts is pointless. The strut itself is longer then the standard L/GT version so the drop will not eliminate body roll on its own.

The best solution is to buy some GR2's and install the lowering springs. Keep in mind that you may have to run low profile tires or the bottom spring perch may rub. But that being said your is a BH not a BG so you may not run into this problem.

From the looks of the L/GT spring vs Outback spring It does look like it can be interchanged but the entire suspension geometry will get out of wack.

-Chuck

[Huffer]

Depending on how low you want to go, you could just get away with Legacy struts and Outback springs. I guess the rough lowering chart would go something like this, tallest to shortest:
Outback struts + Outback springs
Outback struts + Legacy springs
Legacy struts + Outback springs
Legacy struts + Legacy springs
Legacy struts + [brandname] lowering springs
Coilovers

If you're only looking to eliminate some body roll, just upgrade your swaybars.

[csweston]

Huffer, would WRX struts w/ lowering springs go even lower then legacy struts+lowering springs or are they about the same?

[Huffer]

^^ it depends on the lowering spring used on each combo... but if you're suggesting the same lowering spring, then it's going to be dependent on factors like the length of the strut and the relative placement of the spring perch to the body of the vehicle...

I really don't like getting into the hybrid/frankenstein suspensions because they're too unpredictable IMHO.

[shredtahoe]

thanks for the help guys, please keep it coming. on my last outback, a 98, i had eibach pro-kit springs on my stock struts and it did wonders for body roll. The increased spring rate(less body roll, better handling in general) is what i am after most off, second off being the visual of the drop. i would upgrade sways, but i have driven a bh lgt and a bh outback back to back and the lgt had sooo much less body roll that i know most of it is in the super soft stock springs. also any thoughts on h&r vs. eibach?