97 Foz questions

Richie-Rich · Post by **Richie-Rich** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:55 pm

Hi All,

Trying to track down a mystery knock / sound in my Foz.

Comes from the back left of the car and only originates during sharp left corners when accelerating from a standstill.

So far I have checked the wheel nuts, checked all the bushes for slop and had a look at all the running gear. I haven't found anything loose.

Any help would be appreciated.

Also finally thinking about lifting the old girl. I am lost as to if I should go for a 2inch strut lift, HD king springs or both. Also should I be looking to replace the shocks at the same time?

Rich

sven '2' · Post by **sven '2'** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:04 pm

My money is on driveshaft or shocker

Sven

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:09 pm

I would try removing the rear sway bar and taking it for a drive and see if the noise is still there. Seen a similar thing on a mates car and although everything looked fine it was the rear sway bar bushes casuing it.

You have a few options with the lift kit depending on what you are trying to acheive, ow much you want to spend and how much of the car u wish to take apart.

What i have done and what i belive is the easiest and best thing for this model subi is a 2 inch Strut lift kit with new King Springs (Standard size). Your new springs will give you some height on it's own and a 2 inch strut lift means u only need to install spacers between your car and the body. This will not put your CV joints on too bad on an angle. Any more than a 2 inch kit or with conjunction with lifted springs then i would not recomend this.

Im told many people in the WA Subaru Club just simply go with lifted King Springs but i think you might loose some of your ride comfort and most definately loose some down travel in the shocks.

You will have to be sure your rear struts are not self leveling... these would need to be changed to non-leveling struts in order to fit any sort of after market springs.

Unless your car has done some major offroading or there is signs of shock damage or malfunction i wouldn't bother replacing them.

I hope this helps

Dave

Richie-Rich · Post by **Richie-Rich** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:11 am

Thanks Dave. Very helpful.

I am thinking about the Ausubaru 2 inch strut lift and the King / Ironman springs. Wasn't going to bother with a chassis lift.

Rich

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:47 pm

Dave what is wrong with self levelling struts? I have an 01 Forester with a 2" strut lift and 215/75x15 tyres and the tyres actually rub on the bottom of the spring seat and i have a set of struts from an 05 XT foz [ the rears are self levelling ] i was going to use as the leg is longer and my tyres wont rub. I am interested to hear any negatives before i fit them.
Jeff

rtcb65 · Post by **rtcb65** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:13 pm

Richie-Rich wrote:Thanks Dave. Very helpful.

I am thinking about the Ausubaru 2 inch strut lift and the King / Ironman springs. Wasn't going to bother with a chassis lift.

Rich

Hey Rich,

If you dont do any good with getting a strut lift from the guys at ausubaru, you can always try Crossbred Performance. Jeff does that stuff as well.

SuBaRiNo · Post by **SuBaRiNo** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:59 pm

Jeff... i have not experienced self leveling struts myself but according to the suspension mobs i have tried (more than one), aftermarket springs are not available for them.

Might have something to do with aftermarket springs sitting higher and the self levelers getting confused... or maybe they are completly different in some way. I have never seen them.

Dave

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:36 am

Dave they look exactly the same except they have a canister on the side i assume is extra gas or oil so they can self level. I have a set with 40 000 ks on them so i would not need to change the springs. The extra length in the shaft is what i am after.

Richie-Rich · Post by **Richie-Rich** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:11 pm

Well I found the knock...

Was a loose rook rack, top left side.

After giving it some half decent off roading near Wilbinga Rd in WA I am very keen to get the new springs and lift done ASAP. I was amazed at what the foz got up!

Rich