stants Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 The suspension on the foz is dead, So havinh to make an enforced chamge means I am within a budget. My initial thoughts are seeing as the rear is sat lower than the lowering kits I've been looking at and the front isn't much far off go down the re using top mounts and geting new shocks/springs all round. But seeing as the bc setup for the foz is only a ton more do I splash out and go down that route And get some shiny new top mounts included in the price ? Whats the ride like on pillowball mounts is there a massive increase in nvh? Is it worth it and do they come set up with default camber settings or do I need to factor in an alignmet session into cost ? The car is never going to be tracked so do I save my money and go with the cheaper option ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitman Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 do they come set up with default camber settings or do I need to factor in an alignmet session into cost ? yes, the moment you start changing suspension parts you will need to do alignment. it's always a good thing to check that every year anyway IMHO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tlag Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I agree. A 4 wheel alignment will always prove beneficial anyway. It will reduce tyre wear and give better handling. I've fitted Impreza suspension onto a Fozzy and that needs rear camber bolts as well but I've not fitted coilys so not sure how it would feel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 I'm looking at the pedders kit for foresters so guess it's a straight swap ? Wasn't even planning on taking the bottom swing arm off just unbolting compressing spring dropping the tops and wriggling out. Is that possible ? It's worked on other cars I've done If I went for the coils would anywhere that could do 4wheel alignment be able to do the camber plates properly ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 I have some unused/as-new Eibach camber bolts from a BE Legacy that I don't need any more, if you want to save a few quid? Presuming they're the same for you Fozzy? Sent from my ageing Galaxy S2 - Yes, it is still working. Alliance ROM w/ Tesla engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 yes, the moment you start changing suspension parts you will need to do alignment. it's always a good thing to check that every year anyway IMHO I know this all too well..........!!!!Sent from my ageing Galaxy S2 - Yes, it is still working. Alliance ROM w/ Tesla engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi myke, thanks for the offer. Are they the 14mm ones ? I guess they'd be the same. I went fo standard struts in the end ae I'd only be mewsing with the coils all the time. Everythings being fitted sat and a 4 wheel alignmnt is booked in for next week :-D so not sure if I'd neex the bolts from you as I'm guessing I'll just re use originals ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Indeed, your original concentric bolts will be fine for your camber needs. What struts springs you go for in end & how it work out on price ? Am thinking about buying another SF forester as just such a great buy/solid truck, thinking of a turbo one :-) out of interest what sort of MPG do you get for general town & B-road driving ? from what seen can be close to non turbo if sensible but as you seem had yours for a while your comments would be valuable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi mr B. Right before you shoot me to bits I ended up with a mix, thepedders lowering kit, firstly because the said they also had 2 year gaurantee on the shocks and springs, & I couldn't get the kybs in time or for a decent enough price various places could sell me one and one from somewhere else with maybe a wait while they got them in stock etc etc.. . Was planning on fitting it all last weekend with my old man as help, but dpd managed to deliver my stuff 7 miles away so had to wait till monday for it to arrive, ordered all new kyb top mounts and boots, so nigh on 700. Typically these didn't turn up till tuesday by which time the folks had gone on holiday for two weeks and I'm supposed to be working the leeds festival this weekend but thats all gone down the pan. Didn't fancy getting stuck in a field with a collapsed strut at 1 in the morning. So i'm getting my local specialist to fit it all sat morning for a good price, (another reason is my spring compressors are too short to deal with the massive rear springs) ! One thing I didn't mange to get as I assumed they'd be with the tops is the plastic washer things that sit between the mounts and springs, I'll re use if needs be. All this wouldn't have happened if the previous owner hadn't been a cheap skate and only replaced one shock :'( still Ns rear ride height measures 610 os rear is about 620 both fronts are between 610-630 so it's safe to say the lot could do with changing Hopefully my mpg will increase a bit as I'm not sagging up and down I don't really carry much weight, most is pram &travel cot and some shopping so normal urban driving 21-22mpg. Most of my trips are quite short in duration normally do 75miles a week so not the best. I maybe spend around 25quid a week on petrol (v power) and still have enough for the weekned. Motorway up to 33mpg at a steady cruise so overall I'm well happy. I should really find out how much the last quarter of a tank actually holds but after driving round for nearly a year taking the needle down to the stop over and over I gave up wondering when the reserve light would come on. Weirdly it only started working about 4 months ago and comes on when it feels like it now. Must be a faulty sender. Anyway enough of my waffling on ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2014 Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi mr B. Right before you shoot me to bits I ended up with a mix, thepedders lowering kit, firstly because the said they also had 2 year gaurantee on the shocks and springs, & I couldn't get the kybs in time or for a decent enough price various places could sell me one and one from somewhere else with maybe a wait while they got them in stock etc etc.. . Was planning on fitting it all last weekend with my old man as help, but dpd managed to deliver my stuff 7 miles away so had to wait till monday for it to arrive, ordered all new kyb top mounts and boots, so nigh on 700. Typically these didn't turn up till tuesday by which time the folks had gone on holiday for two weeks and I'm supposed to be working the leeds festival this weekend but thats all gone down the pan. Didn't fancy getting stuck in a field with a collapsed strut at 1 in the morning. So i'm getting my local specialist to fit it all sat morning for a good price, (another reason is my spring compressors are too short to deal with the massive rear springs) ! One thing I didn't mange to get as I assumed they'd be with the tops is the plastic washer things that sit between the mounts and springs, I'll re use if needs be. All this wouldn't have happened if the previous owner hadn't been a cheap skate and only replaced one shock :'( still Ns rear ride height measures 610 os rear is about 620 both fronts are between 610-630 so it's safe to say the lot could do with changing Hopefully my mpg will increase a bit as I'm not sagging up and down I don't really carry much weight, most is pram &travel cot and some shopping so normal urban driving 21-22mpg. Most of my trips are quite short in duration normally do 75miles a week so not the best. I maybe spend around 25quid a week on petrol (v power) and still have enough for the weekned. Motorway up to 33mpg at a steady cruise so overall I'm well happy. I should really find out how much the last quarter of a tank actually holds but after driving round for nearly a year taking the needle down to the stop over and over I gave up wondering when the reserve light would come on. Weirdly it only started working about 4 months ago and comes on when it feels like it now. Must be a faulty sender. Anyway enough of my waffling on ! Hi Stanton so what parts have you used to get rid of the sls suspension then and have you gone for lowered springs all round? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Hi mate, my car was on standard struts and steel springs anway no sls. The lowering kit I've ordered will actually bring the car up higher than it is at present but lower than stock. Should still give me a decent ride height but with less of a massive gap under the front arches. Ordered the pedders sf lowering kit www.pedders.co.uk And new kyb topmounts front and rear as mine have probably seen better days due to thier age Part nos sm8101 sm8102 sm5361 a pari of these as they are fronts. Thabks to mr b for part nos :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2014 Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 So i should be able to use struts from your year of forester and fit them to my 2000 forester? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 Yes mate any sf strut will fit, i've bwen told struts from the sg forester also fit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2014 Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Whats the sg forester?.do they do lowering springs for the forester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitman Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Whats the sg forester? second generation Forester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2014 Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Isnt stantons the first generation and i have the second generation? Mine is a w plate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitman Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 As for springs they are available, theres a couple of companies in the states that do them to work with standard struts, eibach and swift to name a couple. I'm sure there are places here that would do them to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr B Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 springcoil.co.uk will do custom springs for the SF, whether you want lower - higher - specific spring ratings etc. Main issue is if going too low you need shocks matched as such or you risk hitting the bump stop too easily & also having minimal preload on spring which not ideal. Pedders is easy choice & with a UK supplier quick & not too expensive kit. The KYB shocks are getting low on stock so prices can go up to £80 if needs ordering (fronts more so than rear) about 6months ago it was as easy get SF as the SG KYBs for £55 & at that price was absolute bargain for quality. SG struts do bolt in the SF but sets the camber in different range & do have legal concerns with insurance & warranty. End result should be good improvement over your current old setup & that the main goal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Can subaru classic wagon springs be used Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 You'll end up with a saggy !Removed! as the springs are softer than forester ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Arnt the blob eye suspension a straight fit?Ive read something some where about it,either that or it was the hawk eye.Ive been looking at these coil overs as well.But I think the top hats will need swapping to run with out the adjustable tops http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221377082969?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 Not entirely sure, never looked into newage stuff but they changed the tops on one of the later models so you may need to swap to older top mounts with new age shocks. Those coils should work with ours it's only the fronts that have adjustable camber plates ? The ride may be a bit firmer though 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick 2014 Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 Just wondering if its worth a punt.I can see the top hats need changing though.Are the top hats on the self leveling shocks the same as the non self leveling shocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stants Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 I couldn't tell you as I've never seen the sls units off the car. Which tops on the coils do you think you need to change ? They look like the new mounts I have in shape just different in construtcion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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