The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

hi there,
im completely new, iv joined up for a friend that wants to lower her 95 subaru liberty (i believe). i myself am a mad keen holden mod'er so this is a little beyond me at the moment, i know how to lower a commodore in my sleep, but needless to say the strut suspension set up on these vehicles is a little different to that of your common commodore. so, could i just get some basic info on how to make this happen.
ideally, and i know some of you may cringe at this, she's looking for atleast 2 inch's out of the rear.
is it easier, and again, cringe if u must, to cut the springs in the rear? or will other springs have to be purchased?
as i know these are similar to struts, and i know with my own car, u can only cut so much out of it before things start to not meet correctly and other weird and wonderful things..also, another point, how will these struts cope? how will it affect ride quality? i have no idea wat it would be like to get around on 4 struts..so yes, however, no one is looking to buy adjustables, or new sets of struts etc etc minimal fuss, and cost. backyard style, so to speak =/

thanks heaps!!

Never ever cut the springs down it is dodgy to say the least but any suspension shop should be able to help you out with a cheap kit also I would highly recommend shocks made to suit as well!

XRUFFX wrote:hi there,
im completely new, iv joined up for a friend that wants to lower her 95 subaru liberty (i believe). i myself am a mad keen holden mod'er so this is a little beyond me at the moment, i know how to lower a commodore in my sleep, but needless to say the strut suspension set up on these vehicles is a little different to that of your common commodore. so, could i just get some basic info on how to make this happen.
ideally, and i know some of you may cringe at this, she's looking for atleast 2 inch's out of the rear.
is it easier, and again, cringe if u must, to cut the springs in the rear? or will other springs have to be purchased?
as i know these are similar to struts, and i know with my own car, u can only cut so much out of it before things start to not meet correctly and other weird and wonderful things..also, another point, how will these struts cope? how will it affect ride quality? i have no idea wat it would be like to get around on 4 struts..so yes, however, no one is looking to buy adjustables, or new sets of struts etc etc minimal fuss, and cost. backyard style, so to speak =/

thanks heaps!!

Welcome, i used to be Holden person myself- i've lowered and raised a few commodores and camiras. Cutting springs is a big no no, (a mate of mine caused an accident due cut springs and caused over $50,000 damage and insurance won't cover due unroadworthy cover as the police found, he had to pay the costs from his own pocket, not worth it! And you do not want hold responsible for someone's life at risk with cut springs)
There is Kings super lows and shortened struts that you can buy for Liberty or commodore. Best talk to the suspension specialist and they'll help you.
Cheers
AP

FYI - I had 2-3 coils cut out of my King Springs (not done by me but a professional) and i have had no issues with rego and/or insurance. Not the ideal way to lower (and yes people will cringe and flame me) however like you it was just way to high in the rear - my 2c.

if the cops find out, its a instant yellow sticker and you must get the car towed away. (ie, red sticker)

alex

Craig do you find the springs kindof rattle around loosly when the car is jacked up? Tim's RX had this problem when he got the car, previous owner had lopped a couple of coils off the springs. We couldn't see any way of rectifying the problem so we chucked some standard springs and shocks in which I had lying around.

Keffa wrote:if the cops find out, its a instant yellow sticker and you must get the car towed away. (ie, red sticker)alex

1) no issues thus far (and its been in 2 different states) and
2) not sure how you would tell anyway as they look just like a spring.

AndrewT wrote:Craig do you find the springs kindof rattle around loosly when the car is jacked up?

Not sure what you mean, its in a lowered RX. In terms of jack up do you mean when its on a jack or something? Either way the answer is still no, basically they are about 1mm longer then the shock, so i do not need spring compressors however just need to squeezed slightly to get the nut on and by the time you tighten it up its well snung. They are in the RX project now, and even though they are on adjustable Bilstein they are still tight. so i can take a pic tonight when i get home.

i lowered a lib wagon 2inch allround and with all new parts [struts & springs]it was about $1500 from fulcrum which is who makes kings.....very much worth it...did not bottom out and did not give a harsh ride....if you get someone to fit it then add about 500 to that price i guess but if you can do the work its very easy

Craig - sounds good, must have been done just right (by the pro). I think Tim's previous owner must have had 1 coil too many lopped off. When his car was on a jack with one rear wheel hanging down and no pressure on the coil, you could grab the coil with your hand and clunk it up an down about an inch!

i dont think you guys appreciate how dangerous it really is.

whilst cornering hard, the strut can reach full travel, so the spring will be at its limits, they pop out of the strut cap and flop around in the guard. This causes all sorts of damage to the wheel arch(seen it happen a couple of time in cars that have had chopped springs) the car then bottoms out and wrecks everything under the car.

think about it! many people can vouch for it, it happened to one of my mates, he was telling me about it. Its not pretty. imagine if this happened in peak hour traffic or sumthing. dangerous as hell.

I will admit, i had chopped springs in the back of my liberty for about a month, got rid of them strait away due to weird noises and crappy handling(bouncy), by chopping the spring you totally change the spring rate etc.

best bet is to spend the $300 and get lowered springs all round.

cheers

alex

Keffa wrote:i dont think you guys appreciate how dangerous it really is.

whilst cornering hard, the strut can reach full travel, so the spring will be at its limits, they pop out of the strut cap and flop around in the guard. This causes all sorts of damage to the wheel arch(seen it happen a couple of time in cars that have had chopped springs) the car then bottoms out and wrecks everything under the car.

think about it! many people can vouch for it, it happened to one of my mates, he was telling me about it. Its not pretty. imagine if this happened in peak hour traffic or sumthing. dangerous as hell.

I will admit, i had chopped springs in the back of my liberty for about a month, got rid of them strait away due to weird noises and crappy handling(bouncy), by chopping the spring you totally change the spring rate etc.

best bet is to spend the $300 and get lowered springs all round.

cheers

alex

That exactly what happened to my mate who lost control, one of the springs popped out and lost control due unbalanced... Just not worth it.
Cheers
AP

Well here you go, pictures as promised. As you can see the suspension is already to full travel/extension and if you can tell me how this will fall out you’re a better nuter then i (Note the cobwebs assist in the retention of the spring however not at higher speeds).





As stated by others you’d expect the ride is a little firmer however its also combined with a 195/50/15 so, yes its expected (and that the result I was looking for, I like it… besides its not that firm as others who travel in the car have not really noticed/complained about it).

(DAM!!! that white is bright on the eyes... me needs more dirt up in there).

I should add though that i have since thought about other people's posts and I have to say i agree... you'd be freaking crazy to insert a spring that would not secure (or float) in the strut.

I have not seen or herd of this (not that i have looked to hard at it) however i could see how that would create an issues and/or serious accident. Let me assure you all that this IS NOT what i have done. In this instance yes $300 is cheep insurance and the preferred option.

I think the problem is rectified in BlackMale's case by his fairly rare rear struts with adjustable lower spring bases as pictured - obviously they are adjusted up high enough to still squash the spring slightly at full extension and keep it in place. The spring rate would still be out of spec but if it rides okay then this is alright I guess.

AndrewT wrote:I think the problem is rectified in BlackMale's case by his fairly rare rear struts with adjustable lower spring bases as pictured - obviously they are adjusted up high enough to still squash the spring slightly at full extension and keep it in place. The spring rate would still be out of spec but if it rides okay then this is alright I guess.

Thats for L Series,
Liberty uses proper struts same as fronts.. can use adjustable but the price for them *blows whistle!*
Cheers
AP

thanks for the replies guys...i must touch on the fact that i also have raised and lowered alot of cars in my short years. i dont agree with cut springs, i think they are dangerous, altho i have not met anyone that has ever had a spring slip out, i still would not take the risk...the rattling noise you guys were previously talking about is because the spring that has been cut is to short to sit "captive" most after market / back yard 'kustom' lowered cars will no longer have "captive" springs...this is something commodores dont reali suffer for...however im just not sure about the set up at the bac end of the liberty...can someone snap me a photo of it at all? is it similar to the struts that are in a commodore?

XRUFFX wrote:can someone snap me a photo of it at all? is it similar to the struts that are in a commodore?

I dont have a pic of lowered liberty but I have raised ones on mine...

Struts are similar setup as commodore, remove bolts from top and bottom and whole setup its out and you need spring compressor - you know the drill.. same with rears as front (rears is shorter than front).
Cheers
AP

ive got a 96 liberty lx and i called up king springs and asked if i could get some super lows and prices etc they told me they didnt make super lows for my model only lows which is a 3cm drop from standard height (i wanted a little Lower) so i just chopped mine.. Chopped them a bit to much haha it is now tucking about 2cm tire at the front and they are only 14's. does anyone know how to get lower springs or any other brands that have a super low spring? cheers Joel

BlackMale wrote:1) no issues thus far (and its been in 2 different states) and
2) not sure how you would tell anyway as they look just like a spring.

Not sure what you mean, its in a lowered RX. In terms of jack up do you mean when its on a jack or something? Either way the answer is still no, basically they are about 1mm longer then the shock, so i do not need spring compressors however just need to squeezed slightly to get the nut on and by the time you tighten it up its well snung. They are in the RX project now, and even though they are on adjustable Bilstein they are still tight. so i can take a pic tonight when i get home.

Got any pics mate of how she sits,i'm semi intrested in turning my rx into a JDM style blaster rather than the typical hi-lift route as she wont be going off road.