August 20, 201213 yr 2002 H6 Outback auto Rear drivers side was *really* low, tire was rubbing lightly until we shifted some weight more to the other side. It did come back up a little as we took weight out of the car. 2 adults and some gear in the back - 500 pounds maybe. And now is up a bit (not sure if it's normal or not) now that it's unloaded. The rear struts are new KYB GR-2's. I didn't replace the springs as it seemed many folks don't. Rear spring seems fine on visual inspection. Guess it looks like I should have replaced the rear springs too?
August 20, 201213 yr Struts dont hold the car up. Thats for the springs to do. Yea, I too am thinking you have a bad spring.
August 20, 201213 yr Springs hold the weight, struts control the weight. It's possible the spring on that side broke. That's pretty common on rust belt cars.
August 20, 201213 yr Author okay, great, thanks guys. i'll order new springs. looks like 04-05 baja springs are stiffer and give some lift and increased stiffness for carrying loads.
August 20, 201213 yr I'd check the rear crossmember before buying springs. Even with the springs gone, the tires shouldn't be able to rub on anything. If the crossmember is failing, the control arms/links can move enough to let the tires start rubbing.
August 20, 201213 yr Author wow that's nuts - where would that happen? not much rust to speak of but i'll definitely check tonight. ordered stiff 2005 Baja Turbo rear springs that are supposed to stiffen the ride and lift the rear 0.5" - 1". part number: 20380AE50A luckily i have another H6 Outback to install them on if this one has something more ominous going on!!
August 20, 201213 yr that bolt at the bottom of the strut was intact? seems like a lot of drop just for a saggy spring.
August 21, 201213 yr The Baja rear springs will actually lift the back end about 3/4" so be prepared for a nice rake!
August 21, 201213 yr Author The Baja rear springs will actually lift the back end about 3/4" so be prepared for a nice rake!it'll match FWD coil converted XT6's nicely....at 200,000 the fronts are original OEM so i'll be doing struts/springs there and bring it back up.
August 21, 201213 yr I replaced my springs and struts two summers ago with KYB GR-2 and OE springs. It was a good thing I did as one of the springs was cracked and broken! I gained about 2 inches of height after doing it.
August 21, 201213 yr Author one of the springs was cracked and broken!was it still in tact and assembled on the car? mine appears "fine", i can pull and push it and nothing gives or croaks or makes noise.
August 21, 201213 yr was it still in tact and assembled on the car? mine appears "fine", i can pull and push it and nothing gives or croaks or makes noise. It was still fitted together but quickly fell apart when I removed the strut.
August 21, 201213 yr Author It was still fitted together but quickly fell apart when I removed the strut.ah ha, i wonder if that's what will happen to mine. great, thanks. everything looks fine but something is definitely wrong - i think it's what you're describing, thanks a bunch! parts ordered a day or two ago.
August 22, 201213 yr Sometimes the broken piece can fall off and the rest can APPEAR to be fine. Broken springs are common enough that it's worth checking into. Especially if the car has ANY rust on it at all.
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