new massachusetts member

[b33rnut010]

Howdy,
Im a honda driver, but i just got a free 1999 Legacy Brighton Wagon, 5 speed, my fathers old car. And im quite excited about it!

I do have some questions for you guys though,

1) speedo is kinda wacky, works sometimes, others not, thinking bad ground or VSS... this happen to anyone else?

2) power steering rack some times loses power assist... there is no cheap place to start, might just flush and change fluid see what happens, I bet im the only one...

3) can i put 07 WRX springs onto my 1999 struts, assuming i use the Impreza Pillow mounts (or tops hats as you say)

Thanks, this seems like an awesome forum, and i hope i get to post more... pictures once i get the car (saturday, and tint that bitch)

-Bret

[Huffer]

1) speedo is kinda wacky, works sometimes, others not, thinking bad ground or VSS... this happen to anyone else?

2) power steering rack some times loses power assist... there is no cheap place to start, might just flush and change fluid see what happens, I bet im the only one...

3) can i put 07 WRX springs onto my 1999 struts, assuming i use the Impreza Pillow mounts (or tops hats as you say)

Welcome Bret!

1. speedo can drop out - this is usually the fault of the speedo sensor on the transmission case. Easily fixed with a replacement part!
http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_par ... &year=1999 (http://www.subarupartsforyou.com/cp_partlistbymod.php?model=Legacy&subcat=Sensor%2C+Speed&year=1999)

2. No idea on the power steering - the pump might be failing - wouldn't hurt to change the fluid.

3. I have a feeling you might need to get 07 WRX tophats, but there's no telling if the 07 WRX springs will sit in your existing struts. You're better off getting matched springs & struts - much less headache in the long run.
In fact, you're better off getting Legacy specific items.

[b33rnut010]

i was reading that the legacy and the impreza suspension were close (like MY99 leg and MY99 impreza) but i wasnt sure about the newer models of WRX.. the price was too good to pass up, $25 shipped.. I love high spring rates

Thanks alot, that link helps a TON
-bret

[auspex]

A lot of us are running the eibach's for the Legacy with quite a bit of fanfare. Got mine on ebay...

Welcome, btw!!

-mike

[Reason]

Great another Honda driver :roll: :wink:

Speaking of Honda drivers where has MXS been?

Oh and welcome.

[deadlydave]

I don't know about the 07 springs, but the '03 wrx springs that I'm running had to be paired with wrx struts and front tophats (the legacy front strut mounts worked, they are separate from the tophats in the front). The bottom of the spring did not sit correctly in the legacy strut. (this is a 95 legacy).

AND THEN, i switched to '05 wrx tein s-tech springs that required '04-'05 rear strut mounts, but the front was the same as listed above. So right now, I'm running KYB gr-2's for a bugeye wrx, tein s-tech springs for an 04-05 wrx, and rear strutmounts/tophats for a 04-05 wrx. Whew! And welcome to the forum :grin: .

[b33rnut010]

well this sounds way too confusing... i think this calls for some cutting torch time, and custom work... or just sell the springs...

Thanks again
-bret

[Huffer]

well this sounds way too confusing... i think this calls for some cutting torch time, and custom work... or just sell the springs...

Thanks again
-bret

that's exactly why most of us opt for legacy-specific items... or we buy a full-set of impreza suspension and bolt the whole deal in. The hybrid systems have too many mis-matched parts for my liking.

[deadlydave]

well this sounds way too confusing... i think this calls for some cutting torch time, and custom work... or just sell the springs...

Thanks again
-bret

It is confusing. And the different strut lengths and lowered springs mean I have a lot of camber, which is roasting my tires. I will get an alignment, but I will have to roll the fenders to make room. I only did this because I got my springs on the cheap, my strut mounts were shot anyway, and I know a subaru parts manager who gives me sweet pricing.

[b33rnut010]

update:

Installed some WRX struts and springs on the Brighton, this saggy butt thing doesnt appear to be that big of a deal. I will try and get pictures once i charge my cameras batts.

questions:
do ball joints like to go out on these cars?

and does the brighton have an OEM foglight harness?

-bret