Hey everyone, I have a unique situation and I am looking for some help. I bought a set of D-Specs for the STi. As many know, they are actually WRX spec struts, but should work on a STi with spacers for the rear struts. My issue is with the front struts, though. I went to install the front struts and they would not fit between the top mount on the car and the steering knuckle. So, I took a look at the strut length versus stock STi struts. They are vastly different, in the ballpark of 2", the D-Spec strut being longer. So, I figured that may not be a problem as the part numbers were confirmed against the box, and even a call to Tokico (they will not help any more since they are not listed as STi fitment). So, I went ahead and took apart the entire fr suspension (Sway, tie-rod, and axle) in an effort to drop the LCA further. Well, even with the LCA at full droop, the struts will not fit between the mount and the steering knuckle. The mounting holes for the strut are ~1" below the holes on the knuckle. Soooo, this is where I need help. Does someone have a WRX strut available for measurement? I need the uncompressed length of the strut (from the bottom mounting hole to the 'step' in the shaft before the threads). I want to compare it to the STi strut to see if they gave me the wrong struts. If the WRX strut is indeed ~2" longer, I cannot complain to Tokico, but then I need to understand how everyone is able to get the front struts in with the clearance issue. I really hope someone has a strut laying around so I can get this resolved, I will be very grateful! Thanks in advance. Christian
I can help you. IIRC I might have 1 front laying around. yes, the sti strut is shorter than a stock wrx style strut, but they are interchangeable so you might be doing something wrong. sorry. can I verify you have an 2004 sti?? If you have 2005+ sti you would need to have purchased a strut that fits the 5-114.3 bolt pattern (The bolt holes on the strut are spaced out further than 02-05 wrx and 2004 sti.) But that doesn't sound to be the issue.
Oops, yes it is a '04... I can believe they may be slightly different, but I doubt they are this different. I have a picture, but uninstalled my FTP s/w recently so I cannot upload, yet. I will do it when I get home... Thanks!
if it's an 04 then you should have no worries. what springs are you using? and yes, the strut length is different, but no big deal. PM me if you want some additional help...I'm in EP
Swift R-Spec springs... If I can get a measurement, that will do it for now. If it really is 2+" longer, I am going to have to get creative! I tried compressing the spring, but the strut will not stay compressed as I try to get it into place. Somehow, I am going to have to compress the strut until I can get it in place. Grrrr... Something HAS to be wrong.
Here is a comparison (there is ~1.75" difference in uncompressed strut length)... ...and how it looks with the top mount in place... Note that this is with the LCA at max droop (axle disconnected at inboard side, no tie-rod, no sway)
Not trying to be insulting here, but are you sure you have the fronts and rears sorted out correctly? I haven't played much with Subaru suspensions, but typically the length of the rears is longer than the fronts, and it's possible to confuse them. Don't ask how I know. :ugh:
Unfortunately my stock wrx struts are at home and I will not be until this weekend; but the D-Specs were an exact match up to my stockers (2002 WRX Wagon). That doesn't help you know if the D-Specs you got are the right ones. I was gonna mention the front/back thing as well but you seemed to have covered that. You are using a Spring Compressor to get the strut/spring/tophats together, right? I had to go to Sears and buy a new compressor as the first one I had on the first front I did didn't fit right and when the tophat came off it locked up the compressor so it wouldn't come off of the spring. The one that didn't work on the fronts was the Jaws-of-Life lookin' thingy. I got my alignment done today at the Alignment Guy and was surprised to find out that the D-Specs had changed my camber both front and back. The alignment was good so I didn't realise the camber had changed until it was on the rack to get dialed to my specs. Anyway, good luck, eh!
anytime you change suspension parts, especially lowering springs and/or struts chances run high your camber will be different.
First- get the thread/posts that verify these can be used on a sti. I'd like to see it. At a quick glance at this picture I'd say you're SOL in regards to the fronts. (you said everything was disconnected at the time of this picture?)
Every compressor I have used only compresses the springs. That, in this case, doesn't help as the uncompressed strut is too long. It looks as though I may have to use a spring compressor (if I can find one that works*) and then have a second set of hands to somehow compress the strut 2" to line up the mounting holes. * the spring compressors at most car parts stores (Checker and Advance, anyway) are the shaft/clamp type that you use an impact wrench (or air ratchet) to compress the spring. Unfortunately, those will not work while putting the strut on the car as they get in the way of installing the strut. It is also compounded by the fact that the Swift springs have less coils, giving less options for placement.
Yep, LCA was drooping as far as the bushings would allow. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.... Still have yet to find any word of issues from anyone else.
looks familiar. unbolt sway bar. get a second hand to push the hub down once the sway bar is unloaded. done.
ok, didn't see that was with everything disconnected. not sure what to tell you - that's what mine looked like before disconnecting the sway... weird. double check part #'s?
Thanks again, Carl.... I already called Tokico and they confirmed the #s. I am still holding out hope that someone (re:ScubaSteve ) can get a measurement of a stock WRX strut. Tokico told me that their strut should match the WRX strut, in length. There is a little history in me getting these struts (first set was damaged during shipping, I hear there are none to be had in the US, then...BAM, the replacements are delivered to my house direct from Tokico) and it leads me to believe there is a slight chance they are not correct, even though the part # is correct. If the measurement is consistent with the strut, I will concede that I have a rogue car and the creative engineering process begins.... Anyone have any ideas how to compress a strut (with spring) while installing, but being able to release after install? Brute force (while trying to utilize a spring compressor) is the only idea I have right now...
