Got me some 02 WRX struts?!

[ericem]

Hey guys, got some 02 wrx struts from a sedan. Plan on putting them on my 93 Legacy Wagon. Now they came with the top hats, springs, everything except the jesus bolt I believe its called? Hopefully the ones from my original struts will work. Any other issues I will run into? I was wondering about the springs in particular since they came from a impreza wrx sedan and are going on a 93 wagon which weighs more of course. Didn't really want the car to sit low you know. Thanks!

[supra90turbo]

You should probably have wagon suspension considering the extra heft, but I doubt it will be a big deal. I've got 02 WRX Wagon struts and whiteline flatout wrx wagon springs on my winter car and it's one of the best riding lowered cars I've ever driven/ridden in. The damping on the WRX struts is a huge improvement over any of the old legacy struts.

[ericem]

Awesome. I am first going to compare the spring lengths. If i find them significantly shorter ill have to use my OEM ones. My stock ones aren't to bad either, very little rust to.

[ericem]

Well did the install.

http://s81.photobucket.com/albums/j202/ericem/subaru/

Everything went well except used the larger perches in the front with smaller wrx springs still drives well and in the rear I had to use the original top hats. THe BIGGEST dilema was the damn pinch bolt that goes in the hub to hold the ball joint snapped. So I am looking at a new hub incase using a screw remover next weekend doesn't work out. So now I have a nice driving car, just one ball joint has alot of play.

Replaced the driver side one though. Tried heating it up with a torch which made the ball joint explode. Didn't even find the top half of the balljoint. Yet after it was hot enough finally came out.

Rust sucks... Was a fun install great at the end of the day when you have solid suspension. Going to take new pics of the ride height. It sits pretty level the rear doesn't look sagged. The struts are from a 02 wrx sedan keep in mind.

[ericem]

Uploaded new ride height pics. As you can see this morning sits lower, yet even which is good. Just need some rims, the hub caps look even worse now with the car lower.

[kimokalihi]

You didn't need spacers for the top hats in the rears? I have the same WRX struts and springs and I had to get tophats from a 93turbo wagon at the junkyard and even then I still needed a spacer on each strut underneath the strut nut. I couldn't find a spacer the right size either.

[kimokalihi]

I've seen you on USMB! I knew it.

[ericem]

Ya I am a USMB guy to well I was tightening up the jesus bolt and added soo many washers yet the play wouldn't go away, then I realized there is a thicker part of the shaft. So I got my dad to drill out the washers and voila two of them in place and one original and the jesus bolt and the impact tightened up things nice and tight. Worked out well, its lower but handles really good, still need new wheels and to replace the one balljoint that is bad, it has pretty noticeable play. A alignment is a good idea as well I guess.