Suspension DIY

Long time no post.. not much going on with subie!!! Today im doing new pads and rotors on our 05' legacy. I also have some new shocks for the car I would like to install.

 

I have done suspension installs hundreds of times on my VW's.. I am confident the legacy will be easy. I just wanted to know if there are any specialty tools or anything I should know before tackling the suspension.

 

Thanks

 

Kevin B.

 

 

Alison working on "her" car!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs467.ash1/25665_1103983657880_1775422589_195477_7342581_n.jpg

Pass through sockets if you have access to them. Don't go out and buy a new set if you don't have them, but if you have access, use them. An allen key/torx wrench is needed to keep the strut from spinning as you take the tophat off, so you need pass through sockets or have to use a regular wrench.

 

Other than that, the suspension is very straightforward and you shouldn't have any issues.

are you fishing for lobster out of your back window? have you caught anything yet?

are you fishing for lobster out of your back window? have you caught anything yet?

 

 

haha.. i was wondering if someone would notice!!!! Its actually a humming bird feeder hanging from a tree in the front yard, about 50 yards closer to me then the car is!

 

Thanks for the info, i do have a "pass through" socket, but its for my VW's 22mm. Just a quick glance i dont think the top hat nut is that big! Ill whip up something!

 

Thanks.

no specialty tools. just a good buddy to help out and the normal tools and a nice breaker bar for sure. My friend and i put on my eibach springs a bit ago. took 3 hours(but we were slow) haha. just used jack stands in the garage. pretty simple

you don't need a pass through socket set. just hit that tophat nut with an impact gun. it saves a lot of time

 

oh and the rear lower shock bolt is going to be ridiculously tight if it's never been removed before. put a 1/2 socket on the bolt (it should be facing the middle of the car) and wrench on the nut. get a floor jack and use the jack to jack up the socket.

OK, fronts are done... I did the impact method that i use 99% of the time. I think the only car i really use the pass through socket on is my rabbit GTI.

 

Front rotors, pads, struts; 2hrs.

 

The freaking rotors were ON THERE good. Thank someone we have every tool we could ever need between the garage and the shop! Plus my buddy Lee who i share the shop with is a Subie NUT!

 

The car is actually sitting a good 1/2" higher in the front now. It also rides very nice. I didnt upgrade to anything special we just picked up a new set of KYB's from rockauto.com for a really good price! At least I know the 18x8's will fit (rota tarmac 3's with a 225/40/18 (still need to buy tires though))

 

Thanks again guys!

 

Kevin B.