I finally installed my suspension!

[99gtlimited]

As the title says i finally installed my suspension. No pics yet but i'll get one up as soon as possible. The old stuff was pretty worn out, i'm sure glad i got this stuff in before winter snowboarding season!

Here's what i'm running now:

-KYB GR-2's (from jdmwerks13 on ebay)
-H&R Springs (thanks to DLC)
-Group-N front Strut mounts (subaruwrxparts.com)
-Stock (not replaced): Dust boots, bump stops (although the rears weren't great), rear strut mounts.

Feels great so far, the old springs were totally dead and my struts were bottoming out in the rear so this feels way better. I still need to get my alignment done, but it's not too far off for the time being, the car doesn't even pull either direction. The drop is pretty comparable to the old set-up, just a little bit higher (which is good). I'll try and get my before and after pics up asap so you all can see.

Thanks to you all here for insight and info.

-Justin

[d1giPhux]

You will probably need a camber bolt as well.. i have the eibachs on my car.. and need to put my bolt in as well! just havent had the time!! Let us know how the ride feels!

[99gtlimited]

You will probably need a camber bolt as well.. i have the eibachs on my car.. and need to put my bolt in as well! just havent had the time!! Let us know how the ride feels!

"a camber bolt"? wouldn't I need at least two? are you talking about front or rears, cause i know the fronts have one stock and the rears aren't adjustable stock, right?

The only reason i can see needing it is in the rear to account for the ride height being lowered. Do i really need camber bolts? My friend adam who helped me install has a 99 Impreza and says he's been running a lowered car without them for quite some time.

somebody want to clarify this for me? camber bolts (front and rear) : want or need? (when lowering your car)

[Brockley]

most of the time, when you lower a car, it will increase negative camber. With rear Struts, the impact isnt as bad as if it were Indepent rear, but I would atleast go get teh alignment checked, and if its off, they should be able to put the bolts in. Keep in mind, If you get the bolts beforehand, you wouldnt need 2 alignments if its off when you dont have them.

[99gtlimited]

why would i need 2 alignments? do you mean like 4 wheel alignment?

I don't have a problem with a little negative camber caused by the drop but i don't want to have anything ridiculous (like over 1.7 deg or so)

[deadlydave]

most of the time, when you lower a car, it will increase negative camber. With rear Struts, the impact isnt as bad as if it were Indepent rear, but I would atleast go get teh alignment checked, and if its off, they should be able to put the bolts in. Keep in mind, If you get the bolts beforehand, you wouldnt need 2 alignments if its off when you dont have them.

Just to clear this up, all the legacy in question has an independent strut/spring rear. The multi-link on 2000+ usdm Legs acts differently from this(beyond scope of this topic).

Also, Brokley is saying, buy all suspension stuff, then get the alignment, as opposed to getting one 'for now' and then getting one when your parts come in.

[Brockley]

exactly, I was saying if you do go get an alignment now, and they arent able to get the rear camber decent, you would have to order the bolts, and then go get another alignment.

question: Why cant you use a set of Factory Subaru front camber bolts for the rear? couldnt you make that work?

[AussieDan]

Nope, the factory camber bolts are designed specifically to work with the larger upper bolt holes in the front knuckles, they won't work in the rear.

[Brockley]

gothca... ive never taken the rear hub off before. could you not just make the hole larger in the rear, or is it too close a tolerance to make it worth it? I guess its pointless if you can already get a camber kit for our cars, but would be cheaper!

[99gtlimited]

so it looks like i'm gonna get rear camber bolts and new ball joints for the front and get both of those in before i do my alignment. The car really isn't bad right now so i don't feel bad waiting to get it done, seems like we did a good job getting it close to where it was before (during suspension install) cause the car doesn't pull either direction, so it seems all i have to worry about is camber.

thanks for the input guys!

[Huffer]

A $20 camber kit plus alignment is the way to go. Depending on the drop, you can end up with as much as -1.5deg STATIC camber... which will end up chewing much of your tires up on your daily commute.

Do it right, do it once.

[d1giPhux]

Yeah.. i put my suspension in.. and my camber was off like -1.2 or something.. so i had to get camber bolt(s).. and have a shop install them / re-align.. they only charged me $60 for an hour of work though.. and i can keep getting alignments whenever i want anyways.. make sure you choose a shop that will do that for you.. its very useful.

[99gtlimited]

ordered the eibach camber bolts today, i'll throw them in at school when i get them. next up: Ball Joints!! then i can get my alignment done. thanks you guys!

[2.5GT]

Hey, how's the ride on these springs? I reckon it's a bit stiffer than the stock springs right?

I'm planning on getting the H&R springs and getting rid of my coilovers...they're way too bumpy! :roll:

[99gtlimited]

Hey, how's the ride on these springs? I reckon it's a bit stiffer than the stock springs right?

I'm planning on getting the H&R springs and getting rid of my coilovers...they're way too bumpy! :roll:


I've never had stock springs on my car while i've owned it so i can't compare. The old struts were totally shot and the dampening sucked, so i notice the dampening of the new struts more than the springs. The ride height is very similar to the older springs, just slightly higher due to the newer/slightly stiffer shocks. The front came up about 1" and the back is about the same, im guessing since the front carried more weight and the struts were totally done.

all in all i would suggest them highly.

[2.5GT]

So a smooth ride right? not bumpy?

and the car will be lowered as the springs settles down.

[99gtlimited]

The ride is great. I still need some other suspension work done (bushings, swaybars) to get the car to where i want it, but this is definitely a great start. The Group-Ns are m ,much stiffer than the old tophats and i can feel it in hard cornering quite a bit.

[2.5GT]

Good stuff, I'm just planning on getting the springs and that's it. I need to stop modding! :roll: :lol:

[99gtlimited]

what do you mean just the springs? don't you have coilovers? you'd need struts to run the springs i'm on i beleive. I'm sure there are other springs available to run on your coilover setup with a softer spring rate.

[2.5GT]

Yes, but i'm switching back to strut/spring combo. one of the coilover is blown and the ride is way too bumpy.

[99gtlimited]

what struts are you gonna be running then? do you still have the stockers?

i really would suggest new struts with the springs, their not that expensive and much better than having to go back in there to replace them

[2.5GT]

right now, money's tight...so i'll just get the springs and on stock struts.

[99gtlimited]

right now, money's tight...so i'll just get the springs and on stock struts.

can't sell your coilovers (or what's left) to help buy them?

I'm just speaking from experience, the stock struts w/lowering springs will eventually bite you in the ass. My stockers were totally shot after less than ~40k with lowering springs. I understand that money drives most decisions (car wise) so if you do go that route just plan to upgrade in the future. Also, get yourself some camber bolts for the rear when you get the springs, you're most likely gonna have pretty ridiculous negative camber in the rear that you'll want to correct.

Good luck with your new set-up let me know if you have any other questions as this is obviously fresh on my mind.

[2.5GT]

I do plan on upgrading my suspension in the future. Right now, I gotta get these coilovers off the car and slaps some H&R springs on it. and the bounce from the coilovers makes me look like a ricer :lol: But I preciate the help nonetheless :eek:

[99gtlimited]

i'm sure you'll be happy to get off the coilovers, but really get the camber bolts they're only like $25 shipped