new complete strut and coil spring for 1996-98 Outback

[grazzhoppa]

Hi guys. I am a new member, but have been a lurker in the past. Just bought my first old Subaru....... 1995 Legacy Wagon L BK 215,000 from a known source. Love it, love it.
Sold a very nice 1990 LandCruiser and replaced it with this......... WOW. We have had unusually large amounts of snow lately here in NW Wyoming and I swear, I see people sliding, can't go, can't stop....... I feel like I'm driving on dry pavement!!

Anyway, I am not a mechanic. Could, have done stuff, but most of my work is with wood.

I just put on 205/75/14 M&S after having to sign a waiver that "2 sizes up from 18/70/14 would not work"..........but of course, having done my research, knew they would and did. And have been fantastic in this foot of snow. Just wanted to fill the wheel wells, get new tires, not looking to make my "Green Bean" sexy, just better functionally. (First thing I did was take off hubcaps)

Ramble, ramble.

I planned all along to 'raise' the car a bit via Outback Springs and Struts.
I understand it's a 'plug and play' kind of thing for the most part.
PROBLEM: I cannot find ANYWHERE I can get new combo's (like the Monroe Quick Strut sorta) that I can have my guy simply replace one for one.

Any suggestions (understanding I am not the sharpest knife in this forum drawer)

[98legwag]

I doubt you will find a new complete set up. You can probably find a used complete set up from someone that is lowering their Outback.

[grazzhoppa]

Thanks LegWag........ that IS what I am finding.

It just seems illogical to not have them available on the after market when there were quite a few Outback Subies made during those years but yet I can't find anyone that offers that complete set up. Other vehicles are readily available. That's the part that is confusing.

Not really interested in used parts. I don't plan to do this again. See no reason to take on someone else's problems and make them mine. When I do this, I want it right.

Also, when you take into consideration that the entire state of Wyoming has roughly Half a million people..........it's not like there are dozens of options in junk yards or work shops.

Again, thanks for the comment.

[86bratman]

Honestly, unless your springs are trashed, swapping to outback springs will do nothing. The springs themselves are the same as what you already have, it's the struts that give all of the lift.

[grazzhoppa]

Hey bratman, I feel honored to have you shout out.

As a lurker, I read a lot of your posts.

What I was thinking is all springs "wear" some, i. e. become somewhat 'settled' over time, compressing a bit to a slightly smaller o.d. up and down.
I HAVE seen where some say springs wear, some swear they don't. Logically it is impossible to argue that they don't (even if they have no rust deterioration or other breakdown)...........but how much? Is it enough to replace? Probably not.

Just seemed to me IF I could find a complete 'package', it would be simpler than compressing springs and all that.

I just assumed the car 'rode' on the springs with the struts/shocks controlling the 'bounce' effect.

So, you say the car 'rides' on the struts? If that is so, I am dragging the ground almost!! :-)

thanks again for your input.

[86bratman]

I'm actually honored that you know who I am lol. It is entirely possible that the springs are worn down, I've seen it first hand on a 98 L sedan mom use to own, she always hauled a bunch of junk in the trunk of the car for work. When we eventually replaced the struts the car still had a decent sag in the rear.

The lift you're looking for comes from the difference in length between the lower spring perch and the knuckle mount location.

New springs are available for cheaper than you might think from Subaru. The rears are about $65 retail, 20383AC200 is the part number, online sites say it right side, but the parts catalog only lists one number for rear. I'm having some difficulty with opposedforces.com right now and can't get the front suspension catalog to load currently for the part number for them.

[grazzhoppa]

Appreciate the research Brat.....

At this point anything is helpful. And if new springs are that reasonable, I will probably go that route.......seems there are no "plug and play" units available so we'll have to compress and mess with springs either way, old or new, right?

Again, love the car, but it does have 215,000 miles. I plan to get at least another 100,000 and more out of it, so I really don't plan to do this again. Saying that, I'm still pretty sure I'll replace springs.

Still can't believe with all the Outbacks made between 96-98 1/2 that SOMEONE doesn't offer a 'package' strut and coil spring deal...... they do for other cars!!!

We are being disrespected!!! Who can we sue?? ;-) (jk)

[Wiscon_Mark]

SG (03-08) Forester struts/springs/tops should bolt up to your BK as long as you have a complete assembly. I want to say the rear tops hats will work, but you might have to re-use yours.

A word of warning though - the Outback/Forester have subframe spacers that raise the body height, but keep the subframe/motor/tranny lower and give the axles a better angle from the diffs to the hubs. If you just bolt up Outback or Forester struts, you'll go mega-high with the drivetrain too, and probably wear out your axles (the cv joints specifically). Remember that struts lift the body from the wheels, so the spacers will actually counteract some of that lift to the subframe.


Still can't believe with all the Outbacks made between 96-98 1/2 that SOMEONE doesn't offer a 'package' strut and coil spring deal...... they do for other cars!!!

I've never seen a fully assembled strut assembly for a Subaru from the aftermarket, other than coilovers. I don't even think Subaru does them that way.

Bratman - I don't think there's any difference left to right on Subaru springs, just front to back.

[Muse]

seems there are no "plug and play" units available so we'll have to compress and mess with springs either way, old or new, right?
My advice is to get a shop to do it. In theory, you can do it yourself, but there is a LOT of energy stored in springs, and if you slip up it can be really nasty.

[86bratman]

You're right Mark, I just mentioned the right/left thing because when you plug that part number in on the wholesale parts sites it lists it as a right hand spring.

Plenty of people, including me have ran more than a standard outback lift without subframe spacers. Superu has been doing so for a long time now.

It's not a hard job to diy, just be extremely careful because you can do some serious damage to yourself if something goes wrong.

[grazzhoppa]

You guys are toooo cool. And, helpful.

Yes, I am gonna have a shop do it. My life ain't worth much to anyone but my Mom and my God, but I still have some things to do here.

Besides, I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid.

Thanks again for all the help. Will let the board know how it goes.

Blessings, men.

Appreciate all the help.