Nerve-wracking curves at highway speeds

Hi,

I got my Legacy GT about a year ago, and shortly after I noticed that on a sharp curve at highway speeds, the car leans in the curve way more than normal. I put in Whiteline front and rear sways, with Kartboy endlinks, and got an alignment thinking this would improve it. The handling at slower speeds improved greatly but it actually feels even more noticeable going around a curve at highway speeds, to the point I need to brace myself against the passenger seat.

Is it normal for these cars to have that much lean in a sharp curve, or is it likely that I have blown struts / bad tophat? I am considering strut/spring upgrades in the future, but I'd like to get this solved first.

Thanks for any suggestions

The car just hit 100k, but the struts look really good for New England. Nice and clean, no rust, no leaking, but they look OEM and not all that new. Do struts for this car often go around 100k?

Thanks for the reply

I definitely go fairly slow on curves in general. I drive this particular curve on a daily basis, driving my gf's car (06 Corrolla) it feels just fine taking this curve even faster than the Legacy.

About a month ago, I was taking the curve at my usual 60mph and a Prius passed me doing 75mph+

Hi,

I got my Legacy GT about a year ago, and shortly after I noticed that on a sharp curve at highway speeds, the car leans in the curve way more than normal. I put in Whiteline front and rear sways, with Kartboy endlinks, and got an alignment thinking this would improve it. The handling at slower speeds improved greatly but it actually feels even more noticeable going around a curve at highway speeds, to the point I need to brace myself against the passenger seat.

Is it normal for these cars to have that much lean in a sharp curve, or is it likely that I have blown struts / bad tophat? I am considering strut/spring upgrades in the future, but I'd like to get this solved first.

 

Thanks for any suggestions

Time for coil overs:lol: Seriously, if the lean really bothers you, you have to go to stiffer springs.

Better shocks won't help.

100k is overdue for struts in general. I would also check the front LCA bushings as they are a wear and rear item at 60k in the northeast.

Could be springs, struts, tires, bushings.

Depending where you are I would have a good Subie shop check it out and give some recommendations.

-Mike Paisan

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

Check your end links. One could have failed. Or possibly time for new sway bar bushing.

I will definitely double check both, but they were replaced with the sway bars.

100k is overdue for struts in general. I would also check the front LCA bushings as they are a wear and rear item at 60k in the northeast.

 

Could be springs, struts, tires, bushings.

 

Depending where you are I would have a good Subie shop check it out and give some recommendations.

 

 

-Mike Paisan

 

http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg

11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.

Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.

Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs

"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

Thanks! I would not have thought of checking LCA bushings. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it is bushings or struts.

Struts do not need to be visibly bad to be bad. the seals inside can wear out just as much as the external ones. Blown shocks won't add body roll, but it will reduce the feeling of being planted in the corner, and the car will be considerably easier to dramatically unsettle.

The LCA bushings can really create an uncomfortable feel of slop while cornering that isn't often apparent when driving straight. Really bad ones will cause vibration under hard braking.