legacycentral bbs

I have a 1993 Subaru Legacy front wheel drive with manual transmission. The car has about 92,000 miles on it, and I think it's time to replace some of the suspension parts. None have ever been replaced. Looking through past threads, it looks like some of the best things to do (cheaply) are the following, which I have questions for:

(1) KYB GR-2s all around, for $240 from tirerack

I intend to re-use the stock springs. Is it advisable to replace top mounts and upper spring perches, or can I re-use these too? Is there anything else I need or should replace?

(2) Whiteline adjustable rear sway bar $170 from pdm-racing or boxer4racing.

I dont' think my Legacy even has a rear sway bar. Will it interfere with my trailer hitch or muffler?

(3) Used WRX stock wheels 16x6.5". Around $250?

(4) Goodridge stainless steel brake lines $110 from pdm-racing

Are there any issues I should be aware of with this combination of parts? Is there any order I should do these in? I'm thinking struts and brake lines at the same time, then sway bar, then wheels.

Thanks for any advice.

1) you can replace the top mounts or not, fresh ones will lend to a tighter "feel" and sti units will add to that. Don't replace the spring perches.

2) you have to get early legacy or early impreza control arms and the chassis mounts to add a swaybar. Go to a JY and pull everything the bar is attached to (including the things connecting the hubs to the chassis to the bar) and take the bar too. a 16mm bar is a gigantic change from nothing and dirt cheap. It won't interfere with anything.

I don't know what adjustable bar you wanted, but i hope it has a 16 or 18 setting, because stiffer may not be a good idea on stock suspension.

3) something like that.

4) those lines will only improve pedal feel. Are you unhappy with the pedal feel? If you're overheating brakes occasionally, getting hotter ranged brake pads will help feel too and help with the heating problem.


first struts, from there it doesn't matter that much.

1) Thanks for the advice. I guess I'll wait for the Tire Rack prices come down again. Now they are over $70 a piece.

2) Ah, I thought the Whiteline packages included everything I needed. I was actually looking at the 20-24mm adjustable, but will reconsider. Thanks, you just saved me some disappointment.

3) I'll look around for some good deals on WRX wheels.

4) Yeah, I'm mainly looking to improve on the spongy feeling I get. I don't really need cryo-rotors or more braking power the way I'm driving right now, but I'd like to get better feel when braking.

Again, thanks for the advice. I ran across the installation guides on this site last night. It doesn't look too difficult to install struts, so I'll give that a shot first.

2) a 20-24mm bar may not be good friends with a stockish suspension. The spring rate does not increase linearly with the diameter of the bar.

4) have you put in fresh brake fluid?

i highly reccomend replacing the brake fluid w/a high temp dot 3 or 4 compatibale brake fluid.

i use wilwood high temp. others like the ATE super blu/gold.

then get some good pads. i have the PBR deluxe pads. good bite when cold.

the SS lines arent totally necesary and wont hlep too much if the pads and fluid are old.

the whiteline anti-lift kit would be a nice addition to make the cars initial turn in better.

the whiteline steering rack bushings make the steering feel more precise.

Swapping in a single stage brake booster will improve braking feel, too.

vrg3 wrote:Swapping in a single stage brake booster will improve braking feel, too.

out of what vehicle can said booster be found?

Am i the only person who passionately dislikes the alk?

You can find a single stage booster on certain non-ABS first-generation Impreza models. It'll bolt right up with our stock master cylinders.

Wow, a lot of replies in this thread

Re: the anti-roll bars. I'll wait on getting this. I'll install the struts first so I can take a closer look at the rear of the car. If there's no rear sway bar (as I suspect) I'll look for a 16mm one and its brackets/links/etc from a junk yard.

Re: the brakes. I have some speed bleeders I'm going to install so I can flush the brakes this weekend. Then I'll use some good fluid. I'll see if that makes enough of a difference, or if I want new pads also. I'll save my money on the stainless brake lines.

Re: the struts. I don't suppose KYB GR2s from a 95-99 Legacy 2WD will fit my 93 NA 2WD will it? I tried to check if the part numbers are identical on tirerack but there aren't any listed there. These would cost me $240 from ebay, and $350 from tirerack shipped.

Edit: never mind about the struts. I just checked KYB's web page, and it looks like they won't fit.

it sure seems a lot easier to me to jack the rear of the car up onto stands, and do the struts, lateral links, sway bar mounts, and sway bar at the same time.

Get the 18mm turbo rear bar if you can.

Start soaking the long rear lateral link bolts and nuts in PB Blaster right now. Mine weren't too bad being a desert car, but it still took a fair size breaker bar. They are tight.

scottzg wrote:Am i the only person who passionately dislikes the alk?

I'm not a huge fan of the ALK. The stock suspension has anti (dive & lift) geometry designed into it. Installing the ALK actually removes the anti geometry which can cause the car to dive more under braking.

I had some in depth discussions with a whiteline rep about the kit, and I just don't really like the fact it removes what it does.....I could probably dig through my emails to see if I still have the conversation.