Outback strut swap Q's

[Tommio RS]

Hello Legacy central.

I come with a simple question.

Can i run 96-99 Outback front and rear struts on my 93 legacy turbo?

From what i have seen.....Yes yes you can with out any issues.

Links:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=52795&p=415425&hili ... ts#p415425

viewtopic.php?f=32&t=54774&p=439444&hil ... ts#p439444

Just want to know before buying some new Outback struts.

Tom

[wtdash]

Hi,
Covered on here and other Subie forums for more info, but you'll HAVE to swap the REAR (only) top hats from your '93 onto the OB struts due to the different bolt pattern...which involves spring compressors and getting that top strut bolt off.
TD

[Tommio RS]

Thats all i needed to know wtdash.

As long as i can use my stock spring im happy.

I have a strut machine so its no issue to swap parts around.

Im just mostly concern about wasting my money. LOL.

Otherwise thanks for the reply.


Tom

[wtdash]

I didn't state you could use your stock spring. Why is that important?
And not sure you can as it'll likely be too short and won't fit/hold up the top hat.

[Tommio RS]

And this is why i ask these kind of questions i guess.

Now this is what i assume.

The lower spring perch on the stock legacy ss struts is likely the same as a 99 outback.

The strut rod/ tube with treads on it is also the same length between my 93 ss and a 99 outback.

The only real difference between my 93 ss struts and the 99 outback struts would be the lower strut tube where the 2 large bolts go into the knuckle. I would assume that the lower tube is just longer.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/85- ... ons-3.html

And yes i know outback and legacy's do have different springs.....
Again my guess would be the outback would have a softer spring rate than a legacy of similar year or whatever.

Again this is ALL assumptions!

[wtdash]

Ah, er....Um....not really.......Sorry I'm not clear.

I'd request you do some more searching on this as it's covered - USMB is a good option.

The 205/60R-15 OB tire diameter/height is about 2" more than the 195/60R-15's on the SS.

Unless, i'm missing something, the spring perch on the OB/Forester struts is higher to accommodate the taller tires.

And the springs probably are firmer to hold more cargo....springs are what 'hold up' the weight...I believe.

I know when I put OB struts on my '96 Legacy L sedan, the ride was firmer and actually rode better....more 'control'....even though it was 'lifted'.

[Tommio RS]

So. From what i have read from these additional post, people just run an outback strut and basically whatever spring you like...

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/top ... acy-wagon/

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45604


BUT the springs depending on car for sure have a different rate.

From Freerange in legacy central post

This illustrates the differences in cartridge size, these are all rears, but the front has the same differences. tallest - '95-'99 outback (note the sagging piston means its wasted , middle-'98 forrester, short- 90-94 legacy. not pictured, but another option is ~2004 forrester strut which are taller that the outbacks by maybe another 3/4"- if you run these be prepared to change axles a lot or get some sort of body lift (Outback?) to go with it to get the axle angles less extreme

Springs: there is no need to get different springs at all, just get the outback strut slap it together. I usually change rears out for something stiffer to get rid of the saggy but syndrome. There can be some good/bad with any strut/spring combo.

So from what i see, does not matter. You could make a good or bad combo. Dont know.

I know tires are for sure going to help for a lift, but i dont want too much.

Also this is for my snow car. It got 185/65R15 on her. So it "should" not rub.

[Pntaste4evr99]

I put outback struts on my wife's 93 wagon, and I did in the rear is use the outback to hats and drilled one extra out board hole for the outboard stud.... may not be correct, but it's working fine, and when I bought it somebody already had outback struts in it, but they used the legacy top hats in the rear, and the spring and strut body rubbed on the chassis... just fyi

[wtdash]

Ok...final post as this is getting too confusing.

I'm only familiar w/doing a complete strut swap..rear top hats as needed...none of this spring swapping.

I've put both COMPLETE '96-'99 OB and '98-'08 Forester struts (and finally WRX struts) on a '90 Legacy wagon. I ALSO did the 'ghetto' install on the rear by just enlarging the rear holes vs. swapping the top hats. Worked fine for all 3 strut swaps.

With the OB and Forester I ran 205-70-15 tires.

When I put the OB struts on my '96 Legacy L, they bolted in 'as is' and I ran 215-60-16 tires (225-60-16 tires on '00 OB rims rubbed on the rear spring perches).

GL,
TD

[subynut]

I am looking to lift my 90 Legacy Wagon. She's in dire need of new struts and now, would be the perfect time to do it. I was thinking of using struts from the 96-99 Outbacks. My question is this:

If I JUST use the Outback struts, but use the existing 90 Legacy Springs and top hats, will I have any rubbing issues in the rear as some of you guys noted using the Forester / Outback springs and upper spring perches?

Thanks!
Ted

[Tommio RS]

Ok.

Not to keep this thread alive or something.

So i did lift my legacy with just outback struts.

I used 1999 outback struts.
Brand new from KYB and Ultra 8's never heard of them but they work OK soo far.

My EXACT setup:

1993 legacy turbo springs
1999 outback 2.5L struts
195/65R15 Goodyear ultra grid ice snow tires.
new rear spring perch rubbers
rear sway bar disconnected because the endlinks are destroyed. will fix that later

No rubbing at all.

Notes of install:

Your going to have a hell of a time on the rears IF you Jesus bolt is seized....
Mine is new so i could loosen it and pull the knuckle away from the car slipping in the strut.
Otherwise you going to be pulling HARD down on the rear knuckles for the struts to get in.
The new outback struts are 2 inches longer. That's it.
The spring perch is in the EXACT same place as the factory legacy strut.
The spring perch to the top hat length IS THE SAME!
This strut swap will ONLY give you LIFT! NOT travel!!!!
End result looks great!


Will post some pictures when my car is not soo dirty.