Jethrro Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) I lost brakes due to a ruptured line in the front of my 1985 E-81 hatch. I sourced the rubber lines and decided to replace the worn struts and springs while I was in there doing the lines. Problem #1 the diameter of the rod is larger than before so I machined the strut top to accept the larger diameter rod. This eliminated the broached flat in the strut top but I goes on. Problem #2 the length of the threaded portion to flat section is much longer on the new struts so it looks like I either need to get a stack of washers on top where the nut goes or machine a spacer to take up the added length. I've read many threads on the subject and the search function is less than stellar. Any constructive advice would be greatly appreciated. Edited May 25, 2015 by Jethrro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naru Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Any chance you have ea-82 struts? I do not see ea-81 struts in the Sachs catalog. What is the part #? Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethrro Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 Part # off the Sachs box are 031 168 009 and 032 169 009. They were ordered thru Auto zone last fall. I don't put much faith into the method they sell parts. I might see the import specialist on Tuesday and do something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom0 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Not extremely helpful, but if you want to search usmb, best way is to google it and add site:ultimatesubaru.org eg, "EA81 Front strut replacement site:ultimatesubaru.org" Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I have Sachs struts in my 87 Brat. Installed them last year. They were a drop in fit like the 13-14 year old Gabriel's they replaced. I don't remember the part number but it does sound like you have the wrong pair for an EA81. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) Okay, I looked your part numbers up. The struts you have are for an EA82. What I do when I need to order parts for my 87 Brat is search for 84 Brat parts. This helps eliminate cross reference to EA82 parts since they were no EA82 models in 1984. If you have not messed the struts up trying to install them, take them back! Autozone list 031-146 as fitting an EA81. Edited May 25, 2015 by bratman2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethrro Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 Bratman thanks for the info. I talked to Autozone and they will take them back. I was a bit worried they were a special order from December. They however do not have the correct struts in their network. Where did you source yours from? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Rockauto, they do not list them anymore. I checked when I saw your post. I searched Autozone online and they listed them. You could Google Sachs 031-146 and I am sure someone has them in stock. I purchased mine last summer and installed early Fall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethrro Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 Autozone has them listed. I returned the E82 struts and ordered a set of the Gabriel ultras they should be in my hands Wednesday. I have one more source local to check tomorrow for kyb's or Sachs. I googled the part number and didn't come up with any site that seemed legitimate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 The KYB are highly rated but I think they discontinued them. I had seen some on Ebay last year when I was getting ready to redo my Brat. I decided to go with the Sachs because I was already ordering so much from Rockauto it only changed the shipping by 5 bucks or so. The KYB do not have the adjuster for height like the Gabriel and Sachs has. My Gabriel struts were about 14 years or more years old. The Sachs took twice as much effort to compress them and rebound back twice as fast if my memory is correct. Had no leaks but I could immediately tell a difference with the Sachs. I did several other things that also helped I am sure, such as control arm bushings, strut rod bushings, strut upper mounts. I wish you luck on your search. I also found a pair of the KYB gas adjust shocks for the rear. They were getting hard to find also because of being discontinued. I will try to search around a little and if I find a pair of the Sachs. I will let you know! . On AutoZone's website it stated they were special order, can they not order them for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethrro Posted May 26, 2015 Author Share Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) The clerk at Autozone claimed that their "hub" stock was depleted and nothing in the system. If I was to order them it could up to 6 months before I saw them not really in the timeframe that I can work in currently. I would much rather run the Sachs I feel they are a higher quality than the others. If you find a set I'd buy them to keep on hand for spares or I might order them for spares thru autozone. These obselete vehicles are a learning process to know what to stockpile. Edited May 26, 2015 by Jethrro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethrro Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 So I received my Monroe struts today all seemed good. I went to install the spring bucket on the strut and it wouldn't pass over the rod end of the strut. I wound up grinding a relief in the spring bucket to get it to seat on the two adjuster bolts. It went together mostly without a hitch. Now she sits on King springs up front. The ride is superb the front sits about 2" higher without the adjusters turned out. All in all looks like success. Thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman2 Posted May 28, 2015 Share Posted May 28, 2015 Glad it went well. If the springs have raised your front end nearly 2-inches you may need to have the toe in adjusted out some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jethrro Posted May 28, 2015 Author Share Posted May 28, 2015 Yes I'm sure the alignment was affected. I need to set up a hosting site so I can post pics. Thanks for all your help and info. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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