JT95 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I have a 99 Impreza wagon with a saggy rear, more noticeable with passengers or gear in the back. It doesn't bottom out with any tire rub, but just looks bad. Is this due to bad struts, bad springs, or both? The struts are sold without springs, so that's why I was wanting to figure it out. Obviously I don't want to buy more than I need to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Mcpherson Struts are part of the suspension system that supports the car, unlike shocks which just stopped the bounce of the axle. You need struts, and most likely all four. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT95 Posted April 10, 2012 Author Share Posted April 10, 2012 I'm familiar with the strut assembly setup, but I find struts without springs sold in auto parts stores. I didn't know if the strut or the spring was responsible for sag. It wouldn't make sense to put old springs on new struts if the springs were causing the saggy butt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 This is actually pretty common. It is the springs that cause it to sag. You could buy new springs, but they will just sag again after they break in. You could just buy saggy butt spacers to even up the suspension. http://www.paranoidfabrications.com/shop/category/subaru-impreza/saggy-butt-spacers/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recian Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 just put some lowering springs on the front to compensate and slam it to the ground lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmdew Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 go over to the NASIOC and buy some take offs. I've gotten low mileage complete struts shipped for $200 or so. Bolt them up and you are good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 if your 99 has it's original struts, they are all but certain to be weak.(my wife's 03 OBW was 8 years old with only 65K miles and had a blown rear strut - lift the boot and feel oil on top) There is a little gas 'springiness' to them, but not a lot. If your car seems 'saggy' when completely empty, it's springs might be worn out. More likely if you know the car has been operated a lot overloaded or at/near max load. You could, plan to swap the struts (KYB highly recommended by many but other options are available), when you have the springs off, compare their 'free length' to new spring dimensions. But, if you find they have sagged, you will need to quickly locate your replacements cause the car will be down until you get replacement springs. dunno about fitment(anyone?), but I have some near-new (<900 miles) 06 WRX wagon springs in my attic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Likely both are worn out. The springs are what holds the car up, so if it looks low the springs are definitely worn. If you regularly carry lots of people or heavy item in the cargo area (tools, parts, fire wood) look into a set of heavy duty springs. Saggy butt spacers are an option as well, but spacers only offer a small amount of lift usually 1/2" - 3/4", rather than increased load capacity and longer spring life that you'll get from heavy duty springs. Although, if you have ~150k miles on the current springs, a set of stock replacement springs will probably last until the car is ready for the dirt nap. Definitely get new struts with the new springs, at least for the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT95 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 Thanks for all the feedback. I already have a pair of new KYB struts, but they did not come with the springs, which is why I was asking. I will look into finding some replacement springs. Since my Impreza is the Outback Sport option, are these still the same springs as other Impreza wagons? I also had looked at the saggy butt spacers and will probably add some all around the car for a 1/2" lift. But, if I'm messing with the struts in the back, I might as well do the job right and replace them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT95 Posted April 11, 2012 Author Share Posted April 11, 2012 dunno about fitment(anyone?), but I have some near-new (<900 miles) 06 WRX wagon springs in my attic. If they indeed are compatible, would WRX lower my ride height? I don't pretend I'm a Jeep or anything, but I do hit dirt roads and the occasional creek crossing in my OBS. PM me a price, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 OK, it looks like my springs either flat-out won't work for you, or would require some new parts and a lot of 'finagling' according to this http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1303381 ^^^but that looks like a decent resource for you - lots to read though. also, I found this;http://boardreader.com/thread/wrx_lowering_springs_on_obs_struts_ym8X2sbh.html might have some good info in there somewhere. maybe someone will post here with actual experience doing what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Here a neat trick if you take a rear spring from loyale and put it inside of your sping and put her back together and c thiss works good spring inside a spring will give you twice the load cappacity makes it a bitt stiff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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