Suspension "refresher" on a 106k 98 L

[filter27e]

So my mod strategy has been upgrade things as they wearout/break. So I have WRX rims already (needed tires) and WRX front brakes (caliper froze). Well basically this summer the plan is to get a used set of wrx srings/struts/tophats. WHILE I'm in there I figure I'll replace the swaybars, bushings, and probably endlinks too. Thinking 20mm Fr 18mm rear and the cheap steel endlinks, all whiteline.

So before I go too much further I'm putting this here because I'm looking for criticism on my plan and best recommendation on place to buy (thinking boxer4racing.com). I'm NOT looking to build a racecar, hence why I'm not buying lowering springs and new AGX's or something. I drive this car everyday and want it to be comfortable to drive for the next three years or so, but don't want to be constantly reminded that I started at the bottom of the barrel when subaru shopping.

So with that in mind... anybody selling a set of used wrx struts/springs/THs near CT with around 20k on them? :-)

[OutbackGT]

So my mod strategy has been upgrade things as they wearout/break. So I have WRX rims already (needed tires) and WRX front brakes (caliper froze). Well basically this summer the plan is to get a used set of wrx srings/struts/tophats. WHILE I'm in there I figure I'll replace the swaybars, bushings, and probably endlinks too. Thinking 20mm Fr 18mm rear and the cheap steel endlinks, all whiteline.



The only thing I would suggest is that you go 20mm rear and 18 mm front for better balance.

[scottzg]

it's an excellent plan. rock on.

[LunchBox04V]

I have a '99 L Wagon and am using the Whiteline BSF19X front sway bar (I know it is - - -19X). That is a 22mm bar and I have that in conjunction with a Whiteline 18-22mm sway bar in the rear, set to 18mm. In addition I have the Whiteline Strut bar up front.

Right now the car will hardly push (understeer) under acceleration in a hard turn, but with zero throttle, or a little extra brake pressure oversteer can be seen. I like the set up, and find it to be well balanced for my taste.

Also, I am using stock wheels (195/60/15) with Yoko Ice Guard in the winter (snow + AWD = Amature Drifter :grin: ), and Yoko AVS ES100's in the summer.

I have bought from Boxer4Racing and was pleased. (I did have to wait 6 months for a rear strut bar, but that was not their fault) They do a great job!

[rougeben83]

Steering rack bushings. Get it. Install it. Thank me later. :wink:

Oh yeah, put up a WTB ad on nasioc...someone local ought to have a low mileage set rotting away because they went with something more bling.

[filter27e]

Hmm right after posting this I found a salvage yard on my way to school supposedly has an 18mm bar from an outback for $45. That could save me a lot of money, then I'd only need to pick up the bushings for like $15. Found an old posting on NASIOC for a guy 2 hrs from me with a set of struts/springs/ths with 20k on them for $200. He said he's having his dad check to see if he still has them because he's away at college. That'd be nice. It's funny because pricing out new GR2's and tophats for an "L" would have cost me $542 + shipping, and if this goes as planned I'll be getting slightly used struts, tophats, much new springs (and stiffer), and upgraded swaybars for about the same price. Sweet :razz:

[Huffer]

GT springs, KYB GR-2 struts, outback swaybar, GT front swaybar,
Group N strut tops, replace swaybar bushings and steering rack bushings.

[filter27e]

GT springs, KYB GR-2 struts, outback swaybar, GT front swaybar,
Group N strut tops, replace swaybar bushings and steering rack bushings.

Yeah but, I'm trying to avoid buying new struts, because then I can't get away with buying new springs. You see, if new purchases don't get by the accounting department (girlfriend) then I greatly reduce my odds of getting...... well you get the idea.

And as far as Group N strut tops, well another reason I'm going with a direct subaru bolt on is because it will have that factory ride, only a little stiffer. I had an Eibach Pro kit and KYB AGX struts on my last car and sure it handled great, but I wasn't always in the mood for the ultra stiff ride. Know what I mean?

Anyways I got the 18mm bar from a junkyard the other day, for $45. I backed my idea down a little bit because most people seem to recommend 20 or 22 in the rear and 18 up front, so I'm going to get an 18 in the front as well so that later I can put in an adjustable whiteline bar in the rear if I want. For now, cheap is good. I might be going tomorrow to pick up the struts. Found a guy near me with a price I liked. Oh, and isn't the front legacy gt sway bar only like 15 or 16mm?

[filter27e]

Hmmm hadn't updated this so now that I have all of my parts I may as well.

As it turned out, nobody actually makes an 18mm front bar for the legacy. So then I find out the 20 is on back order and will take like 16 weeks to get. So I ended up going with a 22. Yeah it will understeer I know, but I don't exactly track this car so I don't think this will be a big problem for me. I guess we'll find out.

Used WRX struts/spring takeoffs: $200
Used 18mm Outback RSB: $45
Whiteline 22mm FSB: $169
Front and Rear whiteline steel endlinks: $59 x 2
18mm polyurethane bushings for the RSB: around $15
Steering Rack bushings: $29
Shipping: $31

Grand total: $605

Probably the cheapest full suspension package I've ever gotten. I'm sure if I searched for used long enough I could have gone cheaper but I'm happy with where I'm at.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Where'd you get poly bushings for the rear sway bar? OEM are like $26 and even auto store brand is 20.

[scottzg]

the 22/18 combo on wrx stuff doesnt understeer if you're smooth and theres no mid conrner bumps. It's not the most 'fun' to drive, but its easy to go fast.

[filter27e]

All done! Sorta. After breaking 3 bolts taking out the front swaybar, all of which screwed directly into the subframe, I chickened out of installing the steering rack bushings as soon as the bolts stopped when I was taking them out, the exact same way the other three that broke did. Waiting for a day when I feel more ballsy about breaking stuff and maybe see a way to get penetrating oil on the other side.

Anyways, the bushings for the rear swaybar you can get from globalperformanceparts.com.

How does it ride? Well, there's no day and night sensation when you take the first bump or turn in the car, it mostly rides like stock until you really nail it into a corner then you can feel the difference. Feels a lot more stable and predictable, and doesn't feel like i'm going to fall over when I'm taking a turn.

If there's any interest, I can do a quick writeup on the front swaybar swap, since I couldn't find one before I started mine. I didn't take many pics, but I did get before and after pics with me holding up a ruler to get the ride height difference.