Bay Area: Koni Insert Install

I have a 2005 Subaru Outback.

 

Anyone in the bay area want to help me with my koni install? The hardest part to me is to remove/install the springs using a spring compressor and hand tools.

 

I have all the parts, but I rather have someone help me swap the springs out than for me to injure/kill myself.

you may get more responses posting in the Bay area specific forum here:

 

http://legacygt.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/northern-california-15.html

 

Do you plan on using OB Springs? I am due for new shocks for my 05 obxt not sure which route I want to take.

Just rent the spring conpressors and a wrench or socket the correct size, you shouldn't have a problem, ie kill yourself. Use the locks if they have them. It's straight forward, make sure you can still loosen them when you have the strut assembly together though, sometimes you can have clearance issues with the perch or top hat

I was planning to use legacy gt springs, but I kept hearing good things about outback springs. Yeah, I decided to just do it and learn something. I've done timing belts but nothing like a compressed spring that can launch 10 feet away if they come loose.

so, it's honestly not that hard. Two spring compressors on either side and just slowly crank them down tight. Compared to timing belts this is significantly less scary.

 

here are some pictures to motivate you. What part of the bay do you live in?

Before

 

After - .75 inch spacer in the front, 1.5inch spacer in the rear

 

Where it's settled now ~ 3 years later w/ king springs in the rear with 1/2 inch spacer.

http://i.imgur.com/N2iVNIu.jpg?1

 

Spec.B comparison to Outback

 

Spring Compressors in action

http://i.imgur.com/3tcRogT.jpg?1

I made this post hoping you would see this as you are really helpful with this topic. Thanks! I live in the east bay in Oakland.

 

 

Questions:

 

I tried looking for spacers but I could only find 3/8 inch from subtle solutions.

Where did you buy yours?

 

After removing spring, can I release compression by slowly removing the compressors? I know you can, but is it safe?

I made this post hoping you would see this as you are really helpful with this topic. Thanks! I live in the east bay in Oakland.

 

 

Questions:

 

I tried looking for spacers but I could only find 3/8 inch from subtle solutions.

Where did you buy yours?

 

After removing spring, can I release compression by slowly removing the compressors? I know you can, but is it safe?

 

Subtle does sell 1/2" spacers, you might have to email them though. I don't think their listed on their website.

I made this post hoping you would see this as you are really helpful with this topic. Thanks! I live in the east bay in Oakland.

 

 

Questions:

 

I tried looking for spacers but I could only find 3/8 inch from subtle solutions.

Where did you buy yours?

 

After removing spring, can I release compression by slowly removing the compressors? I know you can, but is it safe?

 

I got mine from Paranoid Fabrications

Front -

http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/shop/subaru-impreza-08-11-hdpe-front-spacers/

(These will work for the Legacy / Outback top hat, but have to be modified to work the a Spec.B tophat)

 

Rear -

http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/shop/subaru-impreza-08-11-hdpe/

 

So everything is pretty solid feeling with the spring compressors on. I have only used hand tools to release the tension and it's just slowly working back and forth to fully decompress the spring.

 

When were you planning on doing this? Unfortunately this weekend is pretty busy for me and I am not sure I can get away. But I might have some time next weekend.

I am not sure if I should buy aftermarket springs or stick with the OEM outback. Do you think the king springs are better since you are riding on them?

 

So, basically I only need springs and spacers right now in order to do the swap. Plus, I need to cut the legacy gt struts I bought to do the lowering. Can't cut them cause I didn't remove the springs yet. I want to hopefully complete this before my trip to LA on the 24th.

 

A question bout the front spacer: You used OEM outback springs in front with .75 inch spacers?

 

Then you changed the rear outback springs to king springs and reduced the rear spacers from 1.5 inch to 0.75 inch? Meaning, king springs are a bit longer than the rear OEM outback springs.

 

Well, you have the bilstein set-up and not sure how different are the rears for koni vs bilsteins. So, I still am not sure what springs to get. I was planning on epic engineering, but people keep saying they squeak and to go with iONs, Ralliteks, kings. Not going for H&R or swifts cause it might be too much of a drop.

 

I have also bought front LCA with whiteline bushings and Rear UCA with whiteline bushings to install while I am changing the whole strut/spring assembly.

 

TL;DR: Need to order springs and spacers

I don't have Outback springs - I have JDM Spec.B wagon springs. So basically Legacy GT springs.

 

Haven't tried any of this with Outback springs. I thin it raises you up higher than my springs + spacers combo.

 

Those aren't needed though.

 

If you want to be at LGT height: get LGT springs (doesn't really matter which) + a 1/2inch rear spacer.

 

Rear struts (Koni v Bilstein) are the same.

 

King doesn't make a front spring option. Or at least they don't for Bilsteins.

What amount of drop do you get with Koni/LGT compared to OEM struts/shocks/springs, if any?

What amount of drop do you get with Koni/LGT compared to OEM struts/shocks/springs, if any?

 

I might be reading your question wrong and sorry if I am -

 

The Koni inserts are just shocks. You don't get any drop with just them compared to OEM Legacy struts.

 

Compared to Outback struts they are 1.5-2 inches shorter.

 

The drop comes from what kind of spring you decide on - Outback spring / legacy GT spring / Lowering spring.

 

@ OP - Rallitek says that they have stiffer front springs / Rear springs in standard height for the Outback / legacy. Sort of pricey. But that would be a set-up I would strongly consider. Not sure what kind of drop you are going for.

I might be reading your question wrong and sorry if I am -

 

The Koni inserts are just shocks. You don't get any drop with just them compared to OEM Legacy struts.

 

Compared to Outback struts they are 1.5-2 inches shorter.

 

The drop comes from what kind of spring you decide on - Outback spring / legacy GT spring / Lowering spring.

 

Thanks. I have LGT take-offs now but I thought I heard somewhere that the you'd see a mild drop (~.5") with adding Koni inserts to LGT springs. Guess I heard wrong.

Update on my spring removal:

 

Removed the front strut. I could only do one cause the other one has a rounded allen nut...

 

http://i.imgur.com/dgyQ77y.jpg?1

 

 

Rounded allen nut on shock. Any idea how to get this off?

http://i.imgur.com/BL4Upes.jpg?1

 

Did one of the rears, but I had a hard time putting everything together. Is this how I am supposed to put it? Where does the koni washer/nut come in?

 

http://i.imgur.com/iIb8OAT.jpg?1

 

Since you said it doesn't matter which legacy gt springs, I don't need to worry about what I read that they are softer than wagon springs? I have Legacy GT Sedan springs, so 1/2 inch spacer in the rear are good? Will I need longer studs for the tophat?

I am aiming for Legacy GT wagon height by the way. I have looked into the Ralliteks and they are $400 for a set, $200 for a pair of front, $200 for a pair of rear. I think I'll see how this rides first with stock Legacy GT springs.

 

@Hefferman: I also read the drop is from the koni inserts even if you have outback springs on there.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Read here:

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/lgt-wagon-suspension-swapped-into-outback-xt-140548.html?p=5017319#post5017319

 

I tried my best to follow this thread, but I think one of the pictures are missing for the rear tutorial. (Figured it out...)

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/koni-shock-strut-epic-engineering-spring-install-145744.html

I got mine from Paranoid Fabrications

Front -

http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/shop/subaru-impreza-08-11-hdpe-front-spacers/

(These will work for the Legacy / Outback top hat, but have to be modified to work the a Spec.B tophat)

 

Rear -

http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/shop/subaru-impreza-08-11-hdpe/

 

So everything is pretty solid feeling with the spring compressors on. I have only used hand tools to release the tension and it's just slowly working back and forth to fully decompress the spring.

 

When were you planning on doing this? Unfortunately this weekend is pretty busy for me and I am not sure I can get away. But I might have some time next weekend.

 

 

You linked the spacers to impreza instead of the 02-07 legacy on the website. Are they the same?

my mistake - meant to link the Legacy spacers. yes you will need longer studs / bolts. I used bolts. Just went to Ace and got 10.1 quality bolts that fit.

Use a vise-grip to hold the shock rod to keep it from spinning. It's gotta be on tight.

Thanks, Shane Hook from paranoid fixed it for me after I emailed him. I accidentally ordered 2 sets when I thought they were EACH. He refunded me right away. Great guy!

 

I lost my vise grip =(, but I did manage to get it out by hammering a bigger allen wrench in there. I read somewhere some guy used his hands to grip the shock rod and unbolted the top nut. I tried to do it, but man whoever did that is indeed the GORILLA hand man....

Here's an update on what I did tonight.

 

Drilled and drained the shocks

http://i.imgur.com/RR1Q3a3.jpg?1

 

After doing everything I noticed one strut is bent...does it matter at all? Is it better to buy a different one? I bought these on the forums and they were pretty beat up. Got them for real cheap though.

 

Notice the left one is a little bit bent on the bottom

http://i.imgur.com/rbsTUzC.jpg?1

Buy a new one. Emnotek has great prices and they are in Nevada. You should have it within 2 days.

Buy a new one. Emnotek has great prices and they are in Nevada. You should have it within 2 days.

 

Aw, all that work for nothing lol.

 

I only decided to do this was because Emnotek has Koni sets for $456. Two day shipping too, as you mentioned. I guess I'll buy 2 new ones...and new tophats?

I wanted to be cheap and see if my outback tophats are good, because the bearings on the legacy gt tophats are bad. Maybe go cheap and try to change the bearing on there? Might be similar to the tensioner/idler pulley bearings...but buying is much easier

 

Gutting new struts are kinda painful to do...

http://www.emnotek.com/c-502-2005-legacy-gt-suspension.aspx

Cut the strut using pipe cutter (very easy)

http://i.imgur.com/yotr1CF.jpg

 

Painted with rustoleum black gloss

http://i.imgur.com/RLHitpy.jpg

I ****ed up ��

 

http://i.imgur.com/SdW1nFqh.jpg

 

 

I actually got it to work by making the hole bigger. The washer koni provides is really big!!!

Got some wheels Rota SVN 18x8.5 with some Michelin pilots 245-40-18

 

http://i.imgur.com/KMn9lDp.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/zJAJKzK.jpg

Those will be great. Looking forward to seeing them mounted.

Those will be great. Looking forward to seeing them mounted.

 

Might be a while as I am currently waiting for hadvw to look for his old wagon struts and springs for my koni install.