Gen II Spring/Strut Lift Issues

[__JC__]

G'day all...

Have just finished fitting new front Outback struts (KYB) and raised HD springs to the front of my Gen II Liberty wagon, clearance gained is awesome but i've got a few little issues...

First is camber, seems a bit too positive. I'll admit that I'm not sure how much can be dialed out with the adjusting bolt as I got carried away following the workshop manual and set the old position to the new struts. The question is, with correct adjustment is it possible to have raised springs yet still have close to factory camber?



Second issue is the front sway bar, the link will line up but it's not even close to the correct angle.



Sorry about the dodgy phone pics, will get some decent ones tomorrow.

Jake.

[Matatak]

have you taken it for a drive yet, or even rolled it back and forth a few feet?

positive camber will look a crapload worse after lowered off a jack.
also wheel alignment is a good idea

not sure on swaybar or the controlarms but.

[__JC__]

have you taken it for a drive yet, or even rolled it back and forth a few feet?

Cheers for the reply, yeah have rolled it back a few times, and compressed the suspension a few more. Hopefully it'll be a non issue after a proper alignment.

[vincentvega]

camber should adjust out.

swaybar links - just hook them up. The bushes will die prtematurely but they are cheap. There is not a lot you can do about it

[__JC__]

camber should adjust out.

swaybar links - just hook them up. The bushes will die prtematurely but they are cheap. There is not a lot you can do about it

Ahh, I thought as much but couldn't bring myself to do it...just looks way too dodgy I'm guessing the same thing happens with the 2" body lift and outback struts combo but just not quite as much angle?

The current links are stuffed and their clunking annoys the sh!t out of me, I've got a new set of whiteline links (front and rear) to go in but if near $200 worth of parts are going to be flogged out because of the angle I might leave them in their packets for the time being. I'd really like to sort out a solution, the car will be daily driven probably around 40,000-50,000kms a year and don't really want to be changing links or having a car that clunks.

Any thoughts on how to get past it?

I'm no suspension guru but perhaps cutting and welding a bit more angle on the sway bar ends (to match the links) would at least improve the mating of the link/bar. The other thought was some form of rose jointed, adjustable link. I've seen them used on lowered cars to offset the change of geometry and in theory should do the same trick on a lifted car. At the end of the day I don't really care how it's done, just want the bar to work effectively and reliably.

[vincentvega]

I got 80,000kms out of my last set of bushes and that was with more lift than you have..

[__JC__]

I got 80,000kms out of my last set of bushes and that was with more lift than you have..

Did they clunk or make noise and do you believe the sway bar functioned as it should? I'm just not sold on bolting it together as is, neither is a well known Sunny coast Subaru guru.

What about extending the whiteline ones I've got? This was suggested as an alternative to the rose jointed adjustables that are only made for the alloy control arms.

[vincentvega]

which style of whiteline link are you talking about?

the chunky alloy ones will have the same issues you have now.

the other type that are like a figure 8 of 8mm round steel... i reckon these could be a goer. I tried to source some last time i replaced my bushes, but they were out of stock. Next time I might try these. By design i reckon they will allow for the dodgy angle you now have on the links.

By subaru guru do you mean Al? If so tell him Dane said since he still hasnt come for a run up the beach with us, he should stick to ricer cars :P

[__JC__]

which style of whiteline link are you talking about?

the chunky alloy ones will have the same issues you have now.

the other type that are like a figure 8 of 8mm round steel... i reckon these could be a goer. I tried to source some last time i replaced my bushes, but they were out of stock. Next time I might try these. By design i reckon they will allow for the dodgy angle you now have on the links.

By subaru guru do you mean Al? If so tell him Dane said since he still hasnt come for a run up the beach with us, he should stick to ricer cars :P

Close, the M of the AM. Have been getting him to put the struts/springs together as I pull them out. At short notice too and was more than happy to help.

I've got the figure 8 suckers, I agree that they'll probably wear a bit better but won't they still pull the bar down too low which in my opinion would limit suspension travel and the effect the way the SB does it's job.

I'm not deliberately going against the grain either. Just a fussy bastard who doesn't know much about suspension and trying to get the best result possible which will hopefully help others doing a strut/spring lift in the process. Ultimately the car is going to be a crossover and never a serious offroader, just something that handles acceptably on the black stuff but can still handle a trip up to DI or easy 4WD tracks.

Appreciate all the opinions and thoughts shared here.

[vincentvega]

for future reference can you post the part number of the fig8 links, and where you got em? Price?

Lowering the ends of the swaybar will have no effect on how the bar works. You are still applying the same forces. The only issue with the bar rotating is if it hits something which it shouldnt.

[__JC__]

KLC20A = Front Links

KLC19 = Rear Links

Got them through Greg at GSL

Last one's in stock apparently so you'd be looking at a 1-2 week wait for Whiteline to make some more up.

[__JC__]

Had a minor hiccup today..

KYB have packed a RH strut in a LH strut box so I've two right hand rear struts and no left hand one.

[vincentvega]

at least you noticed before having them asselbled.

[__JC__]

at least you noticed before having them asselbled.

What makes you say that.... Miles didn't either haha

[caboolture]

Close, the M of the AM. Have been getting him to put the struts/springs together as I pull them out. At short notice too and was more than happy to help.

I've got the figure 8 suckers, I agree that they'll probably wear a bit better but won't they still pull the bar down too low which in my opinion would limit suspension travel and the effect the way the SB does it's job.

I'm not deliberately going against the grain either. Just a fussy bastard who doesn't know much about suspension and trying to get the best result possible which will hopefully help others doing a strut/spring lift in the process. Ultimately the car is going to be a crossover and never a serious offroader, just something that handles acceptably on the black stuff but can still handle a trip up to DI or easy 4WD tracks.

Appreciate all the opinions and thoughts shared here.

Hello looking for the contact details of the sunny coast subaru strut/coil guru

[vincentvega]

http://www.amauto.com.au

[caboolture]

Hello looking for some info on an strut upgrade for a 91 Gx Liberty with a 3 " lift. I have read most or the details here and am going for the 1996 outback gen 2 struts. It had a peddlers replacement for the air system and i would like to know if i buy genuine subaru struts can i use the peddlers coils. Thanks for any info

[vincentvega]

mate genuine struts will cost you a fortune go for KYB or pedders replacements.

[AlpineRaven]

mate genuine struts will cost you a fortune go for KYB or pedders replacements.

Yeah KYB ones once costed me $150 each about 3 months ago. - If someone can do better - let me know as mine is due to replace
Cheers
AP

[El_Freddo]

Yeah KYB ones once costed me $150 each about 3 months ago. - If someone can do better - let me know as mine is due to replace

AP: 3 months ago or 3 YEARS ago? If a set of $150 a piece shockies died after 3 months I'd be asking for my money back! Or did you have these shocks on another Liberty before the current one?

Cheers

Bennie