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2007-02-25, 04:04 PM | #1 |
EJ22
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 137
Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan
Trying is the first step towards failure.
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Finished installing STI pink springs
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 |
2007-02-25, 04:14 PM | #2 |
EJ22T
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Reno
Posts: 9,445
Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red
Class: 19 FP
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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.
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FWD is the new AWD |
2007-02-25, 04:40 PM | #3 |
EJ22
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 137
Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan
Trying is the first step towards failure.
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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?
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Stage 2 (XPT); Cobb DP; SPT intake, heatshield, CBE, radiator shroud, turbo shield; STI pink springs;Whiteline 20-24mm RSB; Kartboy End Links; rally pig sticker; 5zigen FN01R-C 17x8 w/ 225/45/17 RE960 AS PP; Hella twin supertones Last edited by eggeegg; 2007-02-25 at 04:50 PM. |
2007-02-25, 04:54 PM | #4 | |
Seņor Cheap Bastarde
Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003
Location: $99 Tire Store
Posts: 9,294
Car: $.04 STI
Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI
Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.
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Quote:
I wouldn't drive on it unless I had to.
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2007-02-25, 04:57 PM | #5 |
EJ22
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 137
Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan
Trying is the first step towards failure.
|
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.
__________________
Stage 2 (XPT); Cobb DP; SPT intake, heatshield, CBE, radiator shroud, turbo shield; STI pink springs;Whiteline 20-24mm RSB; Kartboy End Links; rally pig sticker; 5zigen FN01R-C 17x8 w/ 225/45/17 RE960 AS PP; Hella twin supertones Last edited by eggeegg; 2007-02-25 at 07:20 PM. |
2007-02-25, 09:31 PM | #6 |
Candy Mountain
Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 7,751
Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink!
Class: TESP
OMG Internet!
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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. |
2007-02-26, 08:12 AM | #7 |
EJ22
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 137
Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan
Trying is the first step towards failure.
|
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.
__________________
Stage 2 (XPT); Cobb DP; SPT intake, heatshield, CBE, radiator shroud, turbo shield; STI pink springs;Whiteline 20-24mm RSB; Kartboy End Links; rally pig sticker; 5zigen FN01R-C 17x8 w/ 225/45/17 RE960 AS PP; Hella twin supertones |
2007-02-26, 08:41 AM | #8 |
Candy Mountain
Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 7,751
Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink!
Class: TESP
OMG Internet!
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That's actually pretty cheap. They're usually $100.
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2007-02-26, 08:47 AM | #9 |
Seņor Cheap Bastarde
Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003
Location: $99 Tire Store
Posts: 9,294
Car: $.04 STI
Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI
Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.
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Sid's was $80 last I knew.
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I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids... |
2007-02-26, 02:51 PM | #10 |
EJ251
Real Name: Brian Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Minden, Nv.
Posts: 989
Car: 1994 Toyota 4Runner
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once
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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
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2007-02-26, 09:58 PM | #11 | |
EJ205
Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 1,888
Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L
Class: RNP sometimes (see motto)
"Kids are ruining autocross."
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Quote:
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2007-02-27, 08:10 AM | #12 |
Seņor Cheap Bastarde
Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003
Location: $99 Tire Store
Posts: 9,294
Car: $.04 STI
Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI
Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.
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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.
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I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids... |
2007-02-27, 03:42 PM | #13 |
EJ205
Real Name: Jeremiah Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 1,888
Car: 2005 Impreza 2.5RS, 2000 Forester L
Class: RNP sometimes (see motto)
"Kids are ruining autocross."
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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.
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Small red text that looks curious at first glance but is ultimately inconsequential |
2007-02-27, 03:50 PM | #14 |
Candy Mountain
Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 7,751
Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink!
Class: TESP
OMG Internet!
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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.
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2007-02-27, 03:53 PM | #15 |
EJ22T
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Reno
Posts: 9,445
Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red
Class: 19 FP
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Did you buy used struts?
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FWD is the new AWD |
2007-02-27, 03:58 PM | #16 |
Candy Mountain
Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 7,751
Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink!
Class: TESP
OMG Internet!
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Me? No.
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2007-02-27, 04:01 PM | #17 |
Candy Mountain
Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 7,751
Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink!
Class: TESP
OMG Internet!
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Are the bumpstops mounted on the struts? Maybe KYB AGX's don't have bumpstops?
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2007-02-27, 04:01 PM | #18 |
EJ22T
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Reno
Posts: 9,445
Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red
Class: 19 FP
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Soudns liek the strut supplier expected you to use your stock stops and the shop didn't take them...
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FWD is the new AWD |
2007-02-27, 04:03 PM | #19 |
EJ207
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Reno/Sparks, Nevada
Posts: 3,482
Car: 2000 2.5RS
Class: RestNPeace
Master Slurper.
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I believe you are supposed to use the stock bumpstops, my AGXs didn't have any.
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"Why do chicks tell you to call and then not answer....so gay." "Cuz girls are fags I dunno" |
2007-02-27, 04:13 PM | #20 |
Candy Mountain
Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 7,751
Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink!
Class: TESP
OMG Internet!
|
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2007-02-27, 04:16 PM | #21 |
EJ205
Real Name: Khail Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,769
Car: 2016 VW GTI
Meets? We have meets?
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Yep, AGX struts need to re-use the stock bumpstops. I didn't cut mine and they have been fine on Prodrive springs.
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2007-02-27, 05:54 PM | #22 |
Candy Mountain
Real Name: Cody Join Date: May 2005
Location: Californication
Posts: 7,751
Car: 03 Pussy Wagon, now with more pink!
Class: TESP
OMG Internet!
|
I've done some pretty crazy dirt/snow driving and haven't had issues yet. *knock on wood*
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2007-03-02, 05:58 PM | #23 |
EJ22
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 137
Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan
Trying is the first step towards failure.
|
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.
__________________
Stage 2 (XPT); Cobb DP; SPT intake, heatshield, CBE, radiator shroud, turbo shield; STI pink springs;Whiteline 20-24mm RSB; Kartboy End Links; rally pig sticker; 5zigen FN01R-C 17x8 w/ 225/45/17 RE960 AS PP; Hella twin supertones |
2007-03-02, 07:08 PM | #24 |
EJ22T
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Reno
Posts: 9,445
Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red
Class: 19 FP
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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.
__________________
FWD is the new AWD |
2007-03-02, 11:21 PM | #25 |
EJ22
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 137
Car: 2006 Subaru WRX Sedan
Trying is the first step towards failure.
|
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.
__________________
Stage 2 (XPT); Cobb DP; SPT intake, heatshield, CBE, radiator shroud, turbo shield; STI pink springs;Whiteline 20-24mm RSB; Kartboy End Links; rally pig sticker; 5zigen FN01R-C 17x8 w/ 225/45/17 RE960 AS PP; Hella twin supertones |
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