L series supension and steering

[petie]

Gday.

After fixing my cooling problems and finally getting a chance to test the car, i have confirmed that the suspension is ratshit. Power steering is also leaking slightly from one side and having to keep topping the fluid up. It's a 1989 L series touring wagon.

I would love to fix these problems and have been searching the forums for advice. Firtsly the power steering. It seems that the units are not rebuildable? I'm tempted to try, but having read a thread saying you need all the right tools discouraged me. Is it better to rebuild, buy second hand or is there somewhere that exchanges reconditioned for old? I'm guessing reconditioned would be the safest and most cost effective. I hate buying 2nd hand parts that may or may not be worse than what was removed so that eliminates that option. I'm really keen to get this car working well steering and suspension wise so is there anything else that could be replaced that will be feeling a bit tired after 20 years?

Secondly, suspension. This bit i should be able to do myself. It seems as though KYB shock absorbers and King Springs are the go. But beyond that, are there bushes or other parts that could be replaced after 20 years of abuse?

I was a little disappointed with the haynes manual i have as it didn't really suggest anything tha may need replacing apart from the obvious. And i'm keen to go back to stock as i have been led to believe (may have been fooled:p) that these cars handle OK stock. I don't really need any lift as i don't think i will be doing much offroading. The toughest it will get is some shitty dirt roads, although some of the ruts i managed to find yesterday pretty much used up all my clearance. Hoping i will get a bit of "lift" just getting rid of the sag from decrepit old shocks and springs:)

Oh and does anyone know how much these cars weigh? (fully wet) Can't seem to find it anywhere.

cheers
Pete

[steptoe]

First off with the PS leak

Call it strange but someone told me he fixed his ugly PS leak with a stop leak product he claimed could only be bought at BP Marulan, made in USA about 30 bucks for one litre. He could not recall brand name. Give BP Marulan a call ?

SCheap sell Lucas brand PS leak fixer 15 bucks 500ml . It sort of helped with my leak as did a new boot $14.

There are also the lines that screw into rack from pump that are not too tight have litle O rings that subaru cannot supply immediately. Try a bearing place for them. May help

[petie]

i might try that. always go the cheap option first:p!

Anyone got any ideas on the suspension bushes etc? And weight?

[AndrewT]

These cars (compaired to many others of the same era) really do not handle too well. But with all new suspension components they are okay.
Contact Blackbox motorsports for bushes, they have a full range for L series. They also have some camber/caster adjustable strut tops which can improve handling heaps.

From memory my 1989 touring wagon weighed in at around 1200kg back when it was relatively standard (14" rims was the only mod it had when I got it). There would be an official listing somewhere for it have a poke around google, perhaps the RAC website. But ultimately the best way to really know is go through a truckstop and use their weigh bridge. Some places are free, others charge money but you can usually get away with going through for free because you won't be needing the official print-out like the truck drivers do. The results will obviously vary a little depending on how much mud is stuck under from your last trip, how much fuel in the tank and how often you go jogging

Yeah you can get some quazi-lift just by renewing the suspension with standard height stuff. "Raised" springs are pretty much impossible to get hold of now (Kings used to do them, Lovells used to do them). Maybe somebody still has some old stock on the shelf. A trick for the rear end is to use the shocks for the 2wd L series - they are taller for some reason.
If you really want lift get a good old 2 or 3" bodylift to complement the new suspension, it's well & truely tried and tested for these wagons.

Re leaking steering, the various "stop-leak" solultions might work temporarily but ultimately the only way to fix a leak is to, well, fix the leak. Find out while seal is leaking and replace it or get a workshop to do it, it probably won't be overly expensive.
PS pump, if it needs a rebuild, well I'm not sure about the EA82 ones but I know that the later EJ model ones can definitely be rebuilt. Give a few workshops a call and enquire. Some of them might offer an exchange service (give them your stuffed one and some money, get a rebuilt one).

[BlackMale]

You are correct Kings and KYB are the only way to go (IMO).

As AndrewT said many stop leak produces and depending on why your rack is leaking this may be a short temp or longer term fix. For the money of a stop leak product i would give it a go just as it will give you the time getting another rack at some point in the future.

As for the haynes manual and a MPFI Subaru your correct they are not worth the paper they are written on.

With regards to the handling some of this is going to be driver style and what you prefer. Personally, I loved the way my old RX handled (and i hope to have my project 1 set up the same/very similar). In the end on the road the front end would not push to much and back end would often just follow. In the dirt if i was going a little slow front end push was very significant and noticeable however solved with some right boot and giving it a flick to kick the bum out and what you'd expect from a 4WD. Therefore after a few years of changing and tweaking i found it to be very accurate and predicable.

A full suspension and bush make over (front and rear) will make a HUGE difference and you'll notice the changes. Also remember that your tyers and your tyre pressures will also make a huge difference so don't be afraid to adjust a few psi and see what you get (i should also add that i run 15" rims with a 195/50 profile rubber which is a decent step up from 13" rim/tyre).

At the end of the day some of this is personal preference and each to their own.
Good luck with it and i hope you enjoy it.