TriEdAndTestEd

Many thanks Mr B. While I have the shocks off I will do corrosion management as per your post from 2016!;

I am back! Sadly the 06 XT just had to go to the scrapyard with 141,000 miles on the clock due to too much rear subframe corrosion. So I have "downgraded" to an 05 2.0X. Private seller informed me NSR shock had been replaced so knowing what I know about Subie suspension I should have been suspicious about why only one side replaced and checked ride height on both sides more thoroughly. However it was only when I got home I realised it was sitting about 1cm lower on Near Side so I removed both rear wheels and see that the NSR was replaced with non SLS while onside still has (worse for wear looking) original SLS which explains slightly lower ride height on near side without SLS. It passed MOT like this last November. So my questions are; 1. Is it safe to drive like this? 2. Should I replace both rear shocks with non SLS struts and matching springs. 3. Could I replace just the onside SLS with non SLS and suitable spring. 4. Is it worth fitting 1 or pair of used OEM SLS if I can find them on ebay etc? I think I already know the answers but just wanted to check with you guys. Please see attached images of NSR shock without SLS cannister and OSR OEM strut with SLS. Thanks, Ed

Hi team! Sorry to bump this topic but just wondering if these kind of DPF problems would be enough to put you off buying a used diesel Forester of that vintage (2010 - 2014) especially in England where "work arounds" are less likely to pass MOT?

Finally got my rear springs changed and it made a great improvement in ride height as you can see from the before and after screenshots (after pic taken after 60 miles driving) So this is KYB RA6028 springs with Ridex shocks

I must still have the original sls springs in there as I didn't buy any others. I went for a quick fix at the time as I had a lot on. The garage who did the work just swapped the shocks but kept the old springs in. This would explain the sag of course. Unfortunately I disposed of the old sls shocks as I didn’t realise they have recondition value. So I will try the RA6028 springs with Ridex shocks and see how I get on. Will post some before and after pics for future ref. Thanks again for your advice 👍

Thanks for getting back to me. I retraced my steps online and found the parts I used!!! They are these Ridex shocks; https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/ridex/8002080 https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/ridex/8002079 Any idea if they will work with RA6028 springs? Thanks again for your patience in answering all things shock related 🙂

Embarrassed to say I have lost all records of the shocks I used! I suppose it would be worth trying the RA6028 springs with the shocks I have and if not satisfactory then order the kyb parts.

I have a similar problem with rear suspension on my 2006 2.5XT. After MOT fail last year I got original rear SLS replaced with cheap aftermarket parts (I did not know about SLS then). Now I have the low rear ride height problem. Looking at resolving this with parts from either subaru4you or pedders. Is there anything to choose between the two? Pedders are quite a bit more expensive but I might not mind paying extra if they are better quality/more reliable. http://www.subaru4you.co.uk/suspension/forestersgslshox.shtml https://pedders.co.uk/pedders-subaru-forester-sg-ezifit-rear-suspension-conversion-kit-standard-height-803040 Many thanks in advance for your advice