04 WRX struts and lowering springs

[joseabbott34]

So I finally came up on some 04 wrx wagon struts and lowering springs and am wondering if this will be a simple swap into my 98 outback wagon...? also how much of a drop I should look to get with that.

[meepers]

About 2.5 inch drop. hardest part will be getting the rears in. fronts are cake. once you do it a few times, it is really simple. Quick tip. have a dremmel with a cut off wheel or a hack saw. Cut the brake line retainers on your stock suspension and bend with pliers.. You will know what i mean when you see it. Otherwise, you are disconnecting your brake hoses and bleeding the system.

Stock suspension:

[IMG][/IMG]

04 WRX Sedan suspension:

[IMG][/IMG]

I had sedan units, so my rear was saggin.. you shouldnt have this problem with the wagon units. will be about level all the way across.

[nepbug]

You might want to consider removing the driveline spacers from the outback if you plan on being lowered much. Your roll center is likely below the ground, your handling will suffer. Sure your center of gravity is lower, but your roll center lowered even more making for more lean in the corners (assuming similar spring rates).

Removing the spacers is not totally simple, you need to acquire some parts from a Legacy or an Impreza for some of it.
-Remove front crossmember spacers
-Replace front crossmember bolts with shorter Legacy/Impreza ones
-Replace rear diff mount t-bar mounting plates and remove spacer (need the shorter bolts here too)
-replace the drive shaft with Legacy/impreza version (different carrier bearing mounting)
-remove rear crossmember spacers and install shorter bolts from impreza/legacy (might be able to use OB bolts, not positive)
-Replace trailing arm brackets with impreza/legacy version
-Replace transmission crossmember with impreza/legacy version
-Replace shifter linkage (if 5mt) with legacy/impreza version
-Replace rear sway bar mounting brackets with impreza/legacy version
-Replace lower radiator lose with legacy version
-Replace steering joint with impreza/legacy version
-Replace pitch stop with legacy/impreza version
-Replace the transverse link bushings (rear of the front control arms) with legacy/impreza version (of course if you leave the outback ones in there it's like part of a ghetto anti-lift kit and you might gain a little caster in leaving those, though they will be under more strain and might fail sooner if they haven't already)
-replace steering column with legacy version

Of course, if you are just going for looks, then slap them on and go. If you want better handling, this is the way to go, the stiffer WRX springs will mask the poor suspension geometry a bit, but doing the above will make it that much better (basically turns the outback into a legacy). All of the above will move the engine, transmission, drive shaft and rear diff up 30 mm, giving you more ground clearance without moving the body up at all, if anything the body might minutely lower some as geometries change.

[98legwag]

It will also depend slightly on what springs they are.

[meepers]

With fully stock Wrx suspension without pulling my spacers the car handled immensely better, but I tore through outer cv boots fairly fast. With all spacers removed and The Feal STI units on rce blacks are the shit though.. Car is on rails, need better tires now.

And it's not just the steering joint, you need the whole column

[nepbug]

With fully stock Wrx suspension without pulling my spacers the car handled immensely better, but I tore through outer cv boots fairly fast. With all spacers removed and The Feal STI units on rce blacks are the shit though.. Car is on rails, need better tires now.

And it's not just the steering joint, you need the whole column

Yeah, I forgot the columns are different lengths

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[Wiscon_Mark]

About 2.5 inch drop.

Wouldn't it be more, since he's talking about lowering springs for a WRX, which are usually around 1-1.5" lower than stock Impreza suspension?

[meepers]

Wouldn't it be more, since he's talking about lowering springs for a WRX, which are usually around 1-1.5" lower than stock Impreza suspension?

Yup... I didn't see that bit.

[joseabbott34]

Well the springs I got claim only a 1" drop up front and a 3/4" drop in the rear so it's nothing drastic.

[meepers]

Well the springs I got claim only a 1" drop up front and a 3/4" drop in the rear so it's nothing drastic.

Nothing drastic for WRX is way different the Outback. If you are going to go that far, you want to pull the lift off the car. Your car will sit just a little higher then mine sits now, I have nearly 5 inches total drop from stock to now rocker to ground

[joseabbott34]

Well guys this is more or less the finished product. More pics later.

[WPEC]

^^
looking good on dropping Its looked even lower than mine [I have 03 WRX struts with prodrive-blue springs on 95 BK] . Honestly, you need at least 3/8" urethane spacer on rear top mounts though.
And this is time for spending on a nice set of wheels,too

[meepers]

Damn... Yeah you are lower then me as well, but then again, you have a taller tire so you tuck a hair.. Hard to say I guess without measuring ground to rocker

[joseabbott34]

Well I guess now I'll need to roll the fenders. But other than that I love the ride!!