The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hi there,

I have just found this forum....good to see. I'm based in Perth and have been subscribing to a USA forum, which seems to be very region specific, especially as they seem to have different builds/models over there.

Having just upgraded my 2.5 Gen3 Outback to a 2.5 Gen4 I have a question regarding Outback suspension.

The Gen2 was the Limited edition with "self-levelling" suspension. I didn't take much notice of this until now when I realise how good it was compared to the suspension on the Gen4.

I need to stop the back end sagging when the car is fully loaded or towing and I want to explore some options.

How difficult/expensive is it to install the OEM/optioned "self-levelling" suspension? BTW, does anyone know how this works? From my experience it seems to do a good job

What other options are there to me bearing in mind that 80% of my driving will be two-up so I don't particularly want to make the rear suspension any harder/higher than normal.


Cheers,

Dave

I wouldnt have a clue about "self leveling" suspensions, but only one thing I can tell you from what I've seen caravan people with Foresters and Outbacks (including Liberty) have raised suspensions in rears to enable heavy towing without sagging and while they have a load they tell me it was like standard suspension height without load on and I can see it myself. I can understand you wouldn't like to see the rears higher than normal and it would effect the headlights as well.
Cheers
AP

The self-levelling rear suspension on current Outbacks is self-energising - it doesn't use an external compressor so is different to earlier versions.

The rear damper (shock absorber) includes a small hydraulic pump which pressurises a hydraulic chamber which extends the damper to lift the car. At a certain length of damper a tiny bleed hole is opened which releases the pressure - thus keeping the height stable. It takes around 2km of use to get up to height.

It should be possible to buy the self-levelling dampers from your Subaru dealer and fit them as a direct replacement.

Aren't the "lifted" (vs std) King springs, really designed to increase load handling, so that maybe all you need?;)

still yeah wonder what subaru sell the optioned "self-levelling" suspension as parts ? won't be cheap, how expensive is the question

Get in touch with FROG on here and see what he can quote for you. he works in Subaru Spare parts

wayyy exxxie look for second hand

fredsub wrote:Aren't the "lifted" (vs std) King springs, really designed to increase load handling, so that maybe all you need?;)

still yeah wonder what subaru sell the optioned "self-levelling" suspension as parts ? won't be cheap, how expensive is the question

what's with this "self-leveling suspension"? does all impreza models have this already? just curious. not really interested in having this. no money for buying subaru oem parts

No Impreza's have self levelling suspension.

I have 2007 Outback 3.0R with self-leveling Suspension.

If you want to upgrade from standard rear suspension to a self-leveling you need to collect the complete set of rear shocks + rear springs + rear top hats.

I have 2007 Outback 3.0R with self-leveling Suspension.

If you want to upgrade from standard rear suspension to a self-leveling you need to collect the complete set of shocks + rear springs + rear top hats