Need a little guidance here. Brief run down: 2006 WRX Wagon on stock struts and Prodrive Springs. I want to go back to 100% stock suspension as my struts are in need of replacement. I have a full set of 2006 WRX sedan struts/springs but from what I can gather there are a few differences. One being the wagon springs are longer and slightly stiffer. This doesnt really concern me as I still have the stock wagon springs. Second, the mounting flange and where the two strut holes are drilled are different. I would be giving up ~ .5-.7 degrees of neg camber. Has anybody done this swap before? Any suggestions as to what I should do?
Sure, don't wait for me to get back to you on Facebook You'll be able to use the struts, but you'll be losing the negative camber in the front. You *might* be able to get it within factory specs, but that's about it.
Oh hell no I just wanted to double check before I said anything, it's been a while since I've done any reading on the subject. On a related note, if you can swing a set of D-Specs you should throw those in. They're a great replacement strut, especially if you get a set of Ground Controls or a stiffer aftermarket spring.
Thanks for the help Brian. I picked up a slightly used set of full wrx suspension for like $50 so I cant really beat that. I drive a lot so I want the ride to be as soft as possible. I think its my old age
That's why they're adjustable, ya crochety old geezer I know what you mean though. I too have been wanting a softer ride for my every day driving. 2 more years and I'm going to start looking for my Cadillac...
That is why I love EDFC, change the modes while driving too bad the coil overs are sitting in a box till spring OT: the coil overs we have for my wife's 02 wagon are labeled for a Ver.7 STi so some STi suspension DOES work on the WRX.
If you really must put sedan struts on a wagon, the typical suggestions are: strut spacers for the rear (because you'll have SAS), and for the front, either re-drill the struts for more negative camber or get sedan control arms (which are longer to give you more neg camber). ~Dan
Thanks for the help. Question: If im running wagon springs in the sedan strut will I still have "saggy butt"?
No. The wagon springs (rear only) are taller and stiffer than the sedan and would not cause SAS. The sedan and wagon rear struts are very similar. So I should clarify, if you do sedan struts AND springs, then you'll have SAS. If you were to do control arms up front, then doing axles, swaybar and endlinks is recommended. ~Dan
Ok, thanks! I think what im going to do is install the sedan struts with the wagon springs and hope that with an alignment I cant get it within oem spec (right Brian? ). Crossing my fingers!
Cool, only thing you'll have to worry about is front camber. You'll be giving up about 0.5-0.7 degs of neg camber. Re-drilling the strut mounting holes (at the knuckle) will be the easiest resolution. ~Dan
camber bolts will help with the neg camber issues with the struts. But slotting is always a better option imho.
There is a negligible loss of camber in the rear using sedan struts on a wagon. Although camber bolts for the rear are a nice thing to have anyway. ~Dan
Oh... the cars come stock with camber bolts in the front anyway. I was referring to the amount of camber loss, in range of degrees with the camber bolts. ~Dan
I put Tokicos with the stock springs on my 02 wrx wagon and found that the rear camber came in to about -.7 to -.8 from the stock -1.2 or so. That was where I wanted it, so I didn't need the camber bolts I had for that task. However, the camber bolts did get used up front to push the camber out to somewhere between -1.0 and -1.4. Couldn't have got it out there without the camber bolts (in addition to the stock ones). Once my car records miraculously reappear I will confirm the front camber numbers. I am very happy with the better driveability of the new alignment settings. More responsive and much less understeer.
Got everything installed last night, bolted right in no problems. Will probably do an alignment soon. Thanks to Nate and Derek!
