Speak slooow, I'm new here (struts/springs)

[aobfarm]

I recently damaged one of my front struts on my 2000 OBS on one of wonderful mountain roads (read connected rock ledges). Since I was figuring on eventually lifting the car anyway (mild lift), I thought I'd ask what everyone would recommend for my replacements. Car is dead stock with one exception. When I got the car, someone had put 14" steel rims with 185/70R14's on it. I changed them out for 15" alloys (soccer ball style) with 205/60R15's which is what the door sticker said it should have had. Since then, I'm getting rubbing on the inner fender well on the front in sharp low speed turns.

What should I try to pick up for this car? I'm wanting to get a modest lift for off-road use around the farm & area and maybe some mild rally action eventually. The car has 238k on it, so if there's something that should be replaced with the struts, etc I'd appreciate knowing that too.

Thanks for your help,
Mike

[A1337STI]

Congrats on creating a need to upgrade your car. :)

cheapest option is something like an AGX (non adjustable) + King springs, for barely anymore you can get adjustables . to save money you can re-use stock springs if you don't want to spend that all at once.

OFEAL Insert / Reman wrx struts <-- dirt valved. (could be combined with king springs too)

other options Ksport ($1200-1400 ) a guy on special stage says he is getting custom valving for these now, that would be a cool option.
JVAB ($1950) <-- The Uber Awesome
All wheels driven ($2500) <-- Aarons car feels great


how much money are you willing to part with for awesome handling and durability ?

[pn2503]

...You could just wait for Alex to get tired of his JVABs and buy them off him for a steal! :lol2:

[aobfarm]

Thanks for the ideas but I think my budget may be different than some. I'm married with a wife, 2 kids (one critically ill) AND 2 mortgages and it was all we could do to come up with the $2250 for the car. I was hoping for some fairly inexpensive ideas for a daily driver that might make it more fun as I'm running around.

[pn2503]

I like where your head is at when it comes to budget. :mrgreen:

I really feel you, being married with two kids myself. I got lucky in that my daughter's major medical problems only came up after I had already been in the military awhile (simply requiring that I stay in for the full 20 years at least). :jack:

What exactly were you trying to accomplish with the lift? Are you trying to get rid of the rubbing, and if so where exactly is the rubbing coming from?

If it's coming from the spring perch, a lift won't help, but a switch to forester struts (which you can likely find in a local scrap yard) will. The used fozzie struts would also be a cost effective way to lift the car, as well as resolving your rubbing problem. The only downside is that the fozzie springs are supposed to be a bit, well... springy. I guess they are softer than the Impreza ones, so it would be a more comfortable ride, but maybe not the best for high-speed maneuvers. :shock:

I really think this is the best answer for you though, since later on you could always "spring" for stiffer springs (when the funds become available). I'm a firm believer in upgrades coming in stages, and it sounds like the fozzie struts would get you to a good solid "Stage 0" to build off of. :mrgreen:

[98obster]

I recently damaged one of my front struts on my 2000 OBS on one of wonderful mountain roads (read connected rock ledges). Since I was figuring on eventually lifting the car anyway (mild lift), I thought I'd ask what everyone would recommend for my replacements. Car is dead stock with one exception. When I got the car, someone had put 14" steel rims with 185/70R14's on it. I changed them out for 15" alloys (soccer ball style) with 205/60R15's which is what the door sticker said it should have had. Since then, I'm getting rubbing on the inner fender well on the front in sharp low speed turns.

What should I try to pick up for this car? I'm wanting to get a modest lift for off-road use around the farm & area and maybe some mild rally action eventually. The car has 238k on it, so if there's something that should be replaced with the struts, etc I'd appreciate knowing that too.

Thanks for your help,
Mike

Craigslist a used Forester set. You will need to keep the rear tophats. depending on the mileage of your current front axles, you may be looking at ripped boots sooner than later. 99-01 will be the most compatible but hard to find low mileage. You can also just get new struts with the same springs and put in spacers.

I've had Forester struts since '05, shortly after had to replace both front axles and ball joints-everthing is still okay for 148k. Currently on used Kings for Forester with about 2.5" lift (still not cheap).

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg240/jhonyd/IMAG0192.jpg