93 Legacy Wagon with 04 Forester Suspension Issues
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:14 pm
Background: About 6 months ago I installed 04 Forester suspension on my legacy. While doing this i replaced front tie rods, ball joints, wheel bearings, Axles and end links while i was working on it. Tires are newer and good. I am running 04 WRX wheels.
Issues: After about a month i started getting clunking around turns. I have came to the conclusion that my, less than two months old, driver side axle is the culprit. I have not yet replaced the axle yet. It hasn't gotten any worse or failed yet so i kind of went with it. But after doing the forester suspension install i noticed the cars steering felt loose and jerky at the same time. Example would be while I'm driving straight i'm correcting constantly but then when i hit a bump or groove in the road i get a jerk from the wheel. And when i get on ice on the roads the steering gets VERY light feeling, like i have no traction whatsoever. I did have a alignment done after installing the suspension. And when corning it feels totally fine.
After doing some research these are the problems i think it may be.
- The axle that is going out could be catching and just failing all together
- Power steering pump may be going bad
- Front end links are too short (I used brand new front end links for the legacy. Should i have used forester ones?)
- Steering box is going out.
- Suspension Geometry is totally off (I have not done the outback "add ons" yet.
I am replacing the Axle tomorrow but contemplating buying the Forester front end links while i'm there. But money is tight so if i dont need them i dont want to buy them. If anyone can add some input/advise on this it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Issues: After about a month i started getting clunking around turns. I have came to the conclusion that my, less than two months old, driver side axle is the culprit. I have not yet replaced the axle yet. It hasn't gotten any worse or failed yet so i kind of went with it. But after doing the forester suspension install i noticed the cars steering felt loose and jerky at the same time. Example would be while I'm driving straight i'm correcting constantly but then when i hit a bump or groove in the road i get a jerk from the wheel. And when i get on ice on the roads the steering gets VERY light feeling, like i have no traction whatsoever. I did have a alignment done after installing the suspension. And when corning it feels totally fine.
After doing some research these are the problems i think it may be.
- The axle that is going out could be catching and just failing all together
- Power steering pump may be going bad
- Front end links are too short (I used brand new front end links for the legacy. Should i have used forester ones?)
- Steering box is going out.
- Suspension Geometry is totally off (I have not done the outback "add ons" yet.
I am replacing the Axle tomorrow but contemplating buying the Forester front end links while i'm there. But money is tight so if i dont need them i dont want to buy them. If anyone can add some input/advise on this it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!