I have an 87 3door and the rear is sitting really low. Of course, when I have more weight in the back the car bottoms out with the bumps in the road. I assume I need to replace the shocks, but I would like to make this repair a one time thing. So if that means there is a potential that there is something else that needs to be replaced, I would like to get it done at the same time. I also have problems getting the right parts for my subi from auto stores without having to return items several times before finding correct fits. Any suggestions or parts knowledge would be so helpful! And should I replace all four shocks in this case too?

Edited September 21, 201510 yr by Rocketdog

the shocks do not actually support any weight. their failure or poor performance has nothing to do with rid height or bottoming out

 

your springs have either sagged aggressively or you have some other mechanical failure or bend in the rear suspension

Really? I was under the impression that replacing the rear shocks could raise the rear by up to two or three inches. When i replaced mine, it seemed to raise it a least an inch. (Although I did not offically take before and after measurements)

Edited September 21, 201510 yr by Sapper 157

Nope, shocks carry not one pound . They are there to dampen the recoil of a spring , that's it. You can get struts with taller and shorter mounting points for the springs, that will lift or lower a car. Bottom line is, if it's sagging with correct height shocks, the springs have failed

I have an 87 3door and the rear is sitting really low. Of course, when I have more weight in the back the car bottoms out with the bumps in the road. I assume I need to replace the shocks...

 

You're assuming Wrong.

 

Shock absorbers are meant only to limit the Bouncing / vertical movement of the Car's suspension; the Part that carries the Load, is the Coil Spring, both parts together are known as Strut.

 

In the following web link, you'll find my Writeup regarding suspension reinforcement; intended for a harder / sportier feeling, in a car that is being used as weekend offroader, and daily driver on week days, like my "BumbleBeast" and I bet that you'll find certain information there, useful; like changing the Original Subaru coil springs in the Rear, with the front ones from a '89 Honda Accord; which not only will raise the rear, but also improves the weight handling, and gets rid of the saggy rear; see:

 

~► http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/106807-improved-shock-absorbers-and-spring-coils-on-loyales/

 

Kind Regards.

That is exactly what I wanted to know! I was wanting to upgrade the suspension anyways so it can handle more weight AND off-road driving. I am going to pursue these fixes myself since my mechanic has no clue how to fix subi's.

That is exactly what I wanted to know! I was wanting to upgrade the suspension anyways so it can handle more weight AND off-road driving. I am going to pursue these fixes myself since my mechanic has no clue how to fix subi's.

That's the best way to do it. Make sure to read jeszek's write-ups very carefully. He is very descriptive.

Keep in mind that if you do the modifications to the rear end of your vehicle as described in that right up, it is going to jack up the rear of your car but NOT the front, so your car will be sitting rump roast up in the air. To level it out you will need to figure a way to raise the front of the vehicle 2" and there are various routes to take to do such a thing. Most simply is installing lift blocks in between the top of your front struts and their mounting point on the vehicle. Best of luck.

... Make sure to read jeszek's write-ups very carefully. He is very descriptive...

 

 

I stated on my Writeup, that I used Blocks in the Front,

 

for the Strut and the Crossmember, to get it Leveled on a 2" lift.

 

Kind Regards.

Do you have any suggestions for a way to lift the car to handle crappy roads and extra weight but also provide a decent ride for normal freeway and neighborhood driving? Would that mean I would need a lift kit after all?

I drive my "BumbleBeast" in such mixed style: freeways, highways, offroading, bad city roads plenty of potholes and even potholes inside the potholes... the best idea is to get a 2" Body lift and increase the tire diameter to 25" which gains another 2" than the factory ones; in that way, the subie performs great in all terrains.

 

Please, follow this web link for further information regarding the 2" lifting process:

 

~► http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/122276-the-bumble-beast/?do=findComment&comment=1093093

 

Kind Regards.

By the way, I added a whole "Second Part" to my suspension Mods Writeup, but it doesn't show there yet, because it is pending approval from the moderators...

 

Kind Regards.