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View Full Version : Problem w/ a recent 97 OBS lift. Advice needed.

zakmatthews
10-08-2009, 12:34 PM
Howdy,

I've got a 97 OBS that I lifted with a set of Forester struts. Everything was good for a few hundred miles . . . then it started making noises.

The front suspension is making all sorts of clunking and clicking noises. So, I installed a new axle assembly on each side, which fixed the noise for another 200 miles or so. Now, it's making the same noise again. There's also some play where the axles enter into the transmission. The rear suspension setup is slick and smooth, no issues there.

It sounds bad. I'm not sure how long it will last or if it is even safe to drive.

I'm thinking the increased angles on the suspension is causing the problem? The Forester struts lifted it about 3-3.5".

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Rallycat66
10-08-2009, 01:01 PM
Pure speculation and hopefully someone with direct experience on this can chime in...

but it sounds like the lift is too much for the front axles and it's putting too much angle into the CV joints.

When you changed out the first set of axles, were the joints still nice and tight or were they loose and would click on you when you worked them around by hand?
zakmatthews
10-08-2009, 09:18 PM
When the axles were pulled out for the new ones to be installed, I could wiggle them around by hand. I'm wondering if the bearings in the transmission are shot?
98obster
10-31-2009, 09:10 AM
3-3.5 inches? what year is your forester setup? 98-01 forester stuff shouldn't cause a problem unless something else is going on. check ball joints.

Howdy,

I've got a 97 OBS that I lifted with a set of Forester struts. Everything was good for a few hundred miles . . . then it started making noises.

The front suspension is making all sorts of clunking and clicking noises. So, I installed a new axle assembly on each side, which fixed the noise for another 200 miles or so. Now, it's making the same noise again. There's also some play where the axles enter into the transmission. The rear suspension setup is slick and smooth, no issues there.

It sounds bad. I'm not sure how long it will last or if it is even safe to drive.

I'm thinking the increased angles on the suspension is causing the problem? The Forester struts lifted it about 3-3.5".

Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.