I just bought an '04 WRX wagon a few months ago, and I'm considering lowering it using some mild springs (nothing harsh like 2.5" down + crazy high spring rate) but I don't have the cash for Koni's right now. My question: The car has 94k miles and to my knowledge has never been raced or autox'd -- it was owned by a middle-aged couple commuting between Pawtucket, RI and Boston, MA. Are the stock struts near enough to the end of their lifetime that I should just wait and save up for Koni strut inserts, or could I go for a set of Cobb springs now and they'd last me at least another 50k? I'm a "spirited" daily driver (i.e. opportunist and occasional rude dude :biggrin: ) and the car will most likely never see a track day. Should I go with sway bars first instead??? Also, does anyone know of a place other than fastwrx.com that sells OEM-looking body color side skirts for the WRX wagon? Options are always good, and I'm not a fan of the stock black plastic on a WR Blue car.
Hey, welcome to MNSubaru!! Yeah, the stock struts...it's hard to gauge how long they will last. I'll tell you this, don't ever be afraid of lowering the car moderately (prodrive, H-techs, eibach prokits, cobb, etc, etc) with stock struts. I've seen them last 40K to or 100K+. They are cheap to replace with KYB AGX, GR-2's, STI, or other stocks struts that you'd find on almost any subaru forum including MNSubaru. However, since you're getting up there in mileage keep your top hats in mind as they will eventually fail. Again, cheap to replace if you go with OEM. side skirts- can't help ya there. someone else can
My stock 2004 WRX wagon struts lasted about 60,000 miles. They were not fully cooked, but I wanted to try something different. I replaced them with Koni inserts and SPT wagon specific pink springs. Funny enough, I got color matched side skirts at the same time. I got the springs and side skirts from http://www.subarugenuineparts.com.
Thanks for the tips, guys (I'm assuming...). I'll probably try to get my hands on some mild lowering springs soon. I'm a sucker for great handling, and after riding in a friend's aggressively lowered M3 I've caught the bug. Top hats -- the same thing as top mounts for the strut assembly? I also have some interest in trying my hand at installing these parts myself. Is there anyone out there that might be able to show me the ropes / recommend appropriate tools, etc.? One more question -- can anyone recommend a good detailing garage in the Twin Cities area? I have a few scratches and dents I'd like to get rid of... So many questions, so little time.
its pretty straight forward stuff, Scubasteve seems to be our new in house suspension man if you need a hand
Top hats are the same thing as top mounts. just keep a eye on the struts like others have said its hard to say how long they will last. good luck with every thing.
seems to be???LOL I AM DA MAN!! (insert judge dredd voice) J/K jamusix- private message me for any suspension installations you need help with. I've done countless suspension jobs for members on MNSubaru.
Awesome. I've been keeping an eye on the '06 WRX handling thread, too. It seems sway bars / anti-roll bars are a good way to go for improving handling as well, and they're fairly cheap. Are they easy to install (easier than springs, perhaps)? Are they more effective than strut tower bars? Also, where does the rear anti-roll bar attach? I have a wagon and because of my line of work (pro drummer) I can't put anything in the rear that will obstruct the cargo space. Does the anti-roll go under the car? I have no idea.
Yes, sway bars are very easy to install, the rear has only a few bolts on the mounts and a couple on the endlinks. The fronts are a little more work, as you have to remove the subframe, but this honestly isn't very hard (like ~8 large bolts). They mount under the car, so don't worry about cluttering up your trunk.
What's the best way to get under the car to do the install? Would I need some kind of industrial lift, or would just a jack work somehow? I'm completely new at this...
