Finished installing STI pink springs

[eggeegg]

I finally finished installing STI pink springs (cherry red or whatever) on my 06 WRX. This was my first time and it took way longer than I expected. 4 hours yesterday for the rear and 3 hours today for the front. I thought this was going to be easier than installing a TBE. I did it by myself but it would have been much easier with a helper. My hands are kinda sore from grabbing and tightening things but i'm glad i finished.

I ended up buying all the tools i needed, but i'm sure it still cost less than paying for the springs at the dealership and having it professionally done. Plus I like learning things doing installation on my own and if something goes wrong later, I can happily blame myself. I bought an electric impact wrench, which i ended up using only to compress/decompress the spring compressors which I also bought from Sears. What made me most angry about this experience was having to buy a pass through set from Sears to get the stupid 17mm nut out from the top of the strut, while holding the bold steady with a 6mm allen key. I couldn't find any place that sold individual passthrough wrenches and sockets to go with it so i had to pay $80 for the whole set. I tried to find alternatives to removing the nut which included gripping a regular deep socket with locking pliers but couldn't. Anyways, glad that's over.

The couple of pink springs installation guides I followed didn't tell me to cut the bump stops, so I didn't. But I've seen some that say you have to. From what I understand, since the pink springs barely lower the car, you don't need to cut them. But if you have others like Cobb's, you do. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm still not really sure.

I'll feel a little better driving my car after i take it in to Lithia Subaru for an alignment this Thursday. I have spring compressors and the stupid pass through wrench if anybody wants to borrow some tools for their spring installation. It would probably cost you pizza to rent

[Kevin M]

I have a pass-through GearRatchet set from Sears years ago to do my struts the first-time, and I've used it for many other tasks since then.

Congrats on the self-install! Also, consider going to BCT for that alignmnet, or Sid's alignment and Brake, or C & C.

[eggeegg]

Oh, I forgot to mention one thing. I think i stripped my front strut upper 19mm bolts, (the ones used to adjust camber) at 130ft-lbs. It just turns and turns as I try to tighten. I'm not sure if it's the nut or the bolt. I used the new nuts that came with the springs. I didn't have a problem with the lower bolts/nut. But the upper, on both the left and right front struts, the same thing happened. Is it safe to drive on for now? If it's the bolt, where can I get replacements? Does anybody know the exact size/dimensions?

[Dean]

Originally Posted by eggeegg

Oh, I forgot to mention one thing. I think i stripped my front strut upper 19mm bolts, (the ones used to adjust camber) at 130ft-lbs. It just turns and turns as I try to tighten. I'm not sure if it's the nut or the bolt. I used the new nuts that came with the springs. I didn't have a problem with the lower bolts/nut. But the upper, on both the left and right front struts, the same thing happened. Is it safe to drive on for now? If it's the bolt, where can I get replacements? Does anybody know the exact size/dimensions?

If that was a stock camber bolt, it is an eccentric which is likely a dealer only item. Sure it isn't the nut you stripped?

I wouldn't drive on it unless I had to.

[eggeegg]

I'll check to see if it's the nut. When I say strip, I'm talking about the thread (bolt or nut). Hopefully it's just the nut. Then I'll try using the original nuts.

This is something they'll notice during the alignment, right? I'm going to take it to Lithia just in case those bolts do need to be replaced.

[cody]

Lithia wouldn't align my car with aftermarket springs to anything but OEM alignment specs (even though they said they would on the phone before I brought it in). I realize your springs are OEM for a Subaru, but just beware. Plus, Subaru's Service Dept. is pathetic...I wouldn't trust them to rotate my tires.

If it's the bolt that stripped, pick up one from the dealer, www.subarugenuineparts.com or www.subaruparts.com and give it to the alignment guy or install it yourself.

I recommend C&C for your alignment. Rusty is really good.

[eggeegg]

sounds like a good idea. how much is the alignment at other places? at subaru, it's $80 with a coupon. that seems kind of high.

[cody]

That's actually pretty cheap. They're usually $100.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by cody

That's actually pretty cheap. They're usually $100.

Sid's was $80 last I knew.

[NevadaSTi]

I got my car aligned in Tahoe for $65, they even said that they would align it to any spec I wanted.

Eliose Auto $ Alignment

[M3n2c3]

Originally Posted by eggeegg

The couple of pink springs installation guides I followed didn't tell me to cut the bump stops, so I didn't. But I've seen some that say you have to. From what I understand, since the pink springs barely lower the car, you don't need to cut them. But if you have others like Cobb's, you do. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm still not really sure.

No cutting necessary. The pinks will be fine on the stock struts.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by M3n2c3

No cutting necessary. The pinks will be fine on the stock struts.

Cutting bump stops is usually a bad idea anyway. Bump stops are usually configured to protect the strut by keeping the piston from slamming into the bottom of the housing. Better to hit the bump stops than damage the strut.

[M3n2c3]

Truth be told, I didn't even know that was something people regularly considered as an option. I'd rather just get struts appropriate for my springs.

[cody]

The shop that installed my springs and struts years ago said I didn't have any bumpstops to cut! Seemed wierd since there was a big piece of paper that told you how much to trim inside the box.

[Kevin M]

Did you buy used struts?

[cody]

Me? No.

[cody]

Are the bumpstops mounted on the struts? Maybe KYB AGX's don't have bumpstops?

[Kevin M]

Soudns liek the strut supplier expected you to use your stock stops and the shop didn't take them...

[JonnydaJibba]

Originally Posted by cody

Are the bumpstops mounted on the struts? Maybe KYB AGX's don't have bumpstops?

I believe you are supposed to use the stock bumpstops, my AGXs didn't have any.

[cody]

[khail19]

Yep, AGX struts need to re-use the stock bumpstops. I didn't cut mine and they have been fine on Prodrive springs.

[cody]

I've done some pretty crazy dirt/snow driving and haven't had issues yet. *knock on wood*

[eggeegg]

Conclusion: Couldn't find a camber bolt from any of the oem subaru parts sites and Lithia didn't have it on hand for sale. I brought my car there for the alignment and they had to look for one and a technician happened to have one or something. Anyways the cost turned out to be $80 for the alignment, $15 for a bolt and nut (I'm pretty sure I also stripped the other camber bolt but oh well), and $50 extra labor for the work in getting that bolt. I'm not super disappointed but I wish I hadn't stripped anything when i installed the springs. springs feel OK swirving hard, turning corners and going over speed bumps. I'm going to get sway bars (rear at least for now) and kartboy endlinks. hopefully won't have any problems installing those. 22mm adjustable whiteline rsb. or maybe the sti pink swaybar. i'll think about it.

[Kevin M]

They charged you $50 for the tech to fish in his box for the spare bolt? You definitely should haev gone to Sid or C&C.

[eggeegg]

Yes they did that to me. i would have gone elsewhere if i could have found a camber bolt. i just wanted to get it done as soon as possible. but for sure, i'll take it to C&C for future services.