legacycentral bbs

On the older subaru's there was a ride height button which raised the body like 4 inches or so when it was in 4WD. Do they sell a similar system for our cars? I'm assuming it is an air bag system with a pump of some sort and an on off switch. Anyone know of anything?????
Thanks, Mike

You dont want it. Its too expensive to repair. I had it on my legacy. Thats what the "blank" cover is on the right side of your stearing wheel.

When a customer would come in with his old active suspension, the service department would do the best they could to talk them into replacing it with a standard suspension setup.

A standard suspension is less expensive to fix, easier to maintain, and easier to modify performance-wise.



-Jason

lets just say for example that I was just a dope with alot of money and I thought it looked cool. Are many of these parts still available? What was the major malfunction with these systems?

Mike

The system actually is kinda cool in theory. I have an 87 GL-10 sitting outside my house next to my turbo Legacy and it came factory with the ride height stuff, but when I bought it, the previous owner had already changed it out for regular suspension. I've driven cars with the ride height, and it was kinda neat, but the problem is the expense for them. Often times especially in areas were the temperature changed in extreams people would find the air bags leaking and would have to change them, which in itself was fairly spendy. I don't remember all the problems they had, I think the pump had some problems also, but don't quote me on that.

Lets just say that the cost for maintanence along with the durability of the system far outweighed its "cool factor." If you want to throw money into it that is up to you I guess, but for all intensive purposes, if you wanted to do that, I'd almost look into some other system that might be more durable. I know that Porshe had a system that would do something similar and I'm sure there could be an after market system out there that might fit what you want. Surbaru's would be spendy, but maybe easier to get a hold of, but paying for it may get old after a while. I have no idea on how long those things lasted or how often people found themselves working on them, but from everyone I've talked to, I got the impression that it was pretty often.

-Ryan

My Father-In-Law had this system on his '95 XT and he has nothing but pump/electrical problems. It would inflate constantly and he would get the stiffest ride amaginable. He finally got fed up with it and repalced it. Unfornuitly he didn't get a subaru. Instead he got a Mitusibushi Eclips as a impulse buy. But these problems were very comin and happened all of the time. so it is highly not recomended.

It's much more than just the pump, air bags, and a switch. There's a computer, and of course a complicated air circuit with filters, driers, and so on.

You might actually be better off trying to fit in lowrider-style hydraulics.

Each strut has height sensors. Each has its own set of valves. The pump only runs to a certain amount. Each strut is controlled seperatly from the others and the computer changes height not only by the button position but also speed.

Trust us, you dont want it.

well, I trust your judgment but I would like to somehow have my car lower in the summer months and "jacked" up in the snowy months. Any other ideas?

Mike

Use the juice baby! Hydros!

http://www.prohopper.com/

or an aftermarket air-bag system. can't find a link for that right now.

edit: here's an airbag link: http://www.ridetech.com/

Coilovers allow you to adjust ride height, although most of them have a maximum height that's a little lower than stock.

Since you're talking about changing ride height twice in a year, maybe you could get an extra set of struts, top mounts, and lowering springs? You could swap that whole suspension in and out twice a year. That operation would be about an hour long. You might also want to at least do a home alignment after the swap, so maybe a couple hours total.

The total cost would probably be less than getting all the air ride components. You could even try to get a stock Outback suspension to use in the winter, raising your car a little.

Coil-overs and snow don't mix... at all. If you think you are going to lower them again after a whole winter of driving you're kidding yourself.

Air-shocks are another possible solution. Adjust the air pressure and it will adjust the height. Very cool. Had them installed on an '84 Olds. But you are looking at a VERY stiff ride if you put them up front. It's bad enough with them in the back but tolerable.

I dont necessarily want the car jacked up all winter. I just want to fully extend the suspention when it snows to increase my ground clearance. I dont need it to handle great as I will be driving slowly. Maybe I can just put air shocks in there and a small compressor?

Mike

Sounds like you need a second set of rims with really good snow tires mounted, in a size that will increase ride height as well. You can purchase tires you wouldnt normally get since they are occasional use.

On a related topic along with a suspension lift I plan to put 215 75/15 on my xt6. The tires alone will raise the car 1.5 inches.

I had the Air Ride 87 GL-10 for about a year with the air working, it was very cool. I didn't have any problems untill one of the bags started to leak, rubber starts to break down after 14 years and I beat the hell out of it also on logging roads Any way I liked it, if the car wasn't so beat up (I bought it for $180, needed timing belts, had been in a wreck, trunk held down by screws....) I would have thought about keeping the air. In the end I just got regular struts out of a JY. Oh yeah it had a lot of body roll and understeer even on low.

if you just need marginal handling in the snow, doesnt every kragen, pepboys, schucks, and napa have those rubber spacers you jam in your springs, and the metal U things? They look to make your car handle like a steaming pile of poop, but if it doesnt matter, it seems like a good deal.

I am new to this site and have always wondered about the height adjustment button I have on my '91 Legacy LS wagon. I'd like to know what is recommended to replace these struts. The struts seem to be working fine, but I do remember my parents having to replace them about 5 years ago and it was rather expensive. I don't think they knew any better at the time and now that the car's been passed on to me, I don't want to run into the same problem. Thanks.

Chris

If you still want height adjustament, you're going to either have to find new from subaru $$$$$ air suspension struts, or find used known good working. If you don't mind ditching it, you cna convert to a normal strut/spring setup. Do a few searches and you should be able to come up with the info.

MK

i have that air suspension on my 94 legacy Ti, it gives my car about a 4inch lift when i hit the button, if your intrested i can sell the whole settup to you.