Silver Forester 2.5 XT

Thanks Mr B.

My Forester is an 05 reg so should be the SG model. I supplied my registration number to the suppliers and they said they are not suitable with those shocks so I was worried that if they actually didn't fit then I would not get replacement springs from them. Mr. B When you fitted the KYB's with 25% stiffer springs to a Forester what was the part number please and if I were to use those, would I have to change the front springs too or is it possible just to have stiffer springs at the rear? Thanks.

Update. I have contacted a number of suppliers including those on Ebay over the last few days supplying them with the registration number of my Forester. Each can supply the KYB rear shock absorbers 334344 and 334345 and protection kit 910046 but none of them can recommend or source a compatible spring. They can supply the Coil Springs KYB RC6431 for the SG Foresters but say that they wouldn't be suitable for the XT model. I am a little confused now. They can sell me the shocks and protection kit but can't source a compatible spring form KYB. That is the same answer from more than one supplier by the way. Should I take a chance and order the KYB RC6431 springs even though they say they are not compatible or pay more and get the Pedders Ezifit which are compatible with all SG Foresters?. Looks like the safest option could well be the more expensive Pedders kit . Thanks

Thanks again Mr B. I will contact them and supply them with my registration number so that they can double check the compatibility.

Thanks for the info Mr B and bitman. I have a suitable torque wrench and socket sets but i have never changed suspension on a car before so this could be a challenge. Mr B, I notice that when checking compatibility on the springs in the ebay link, they are shown as not being compatible with my Forester 2.5XT. Are the replacement struts and springs different for the 2.5 XT Foresters?.

Thanks for the replies. Will have to decide now whether to go the easier Pedders route with pre assembled struts and springs or to be brave and have a try with the KYB self assembly units. Decisions decisions.

My off side rear shock absorber has started leaking, chances are that the nearside will follow in the near future. :( Bleddy Speed humps and Potholes everywhere don't help matters. We have speed humps near where we live that are just too high but the authorities won't replace them. To get to the main roads from the estate you cannot avoid going over speed humps unless you walk, cycle on the pavement or fly. People with low slung cars such as Audi TT's and those with lowered cars eg: Imprezas are always catching the undersides on the ramps. It is virtually impossible even to avoid the " split in two humps " as cars are almost always parked opposite one another on the humps so you can't straddle the humps. From what I understand, it is a Self Levelling Unit and will be very expensive to buy and replace from a Subaru dealer. I have looked into getting one of these Pedders Ezifit Strut replacement kits:- http://www.pedders.co.uk/subaru-forester-sg-pedders-ezifit-strut-conversion-kit-rear_p22538557.htm Can anyone who has used them recommend them please?. Apparently they are supplied as a complete unit so no need to compress springs etc. I fancy having a try at doing the work myself ( first timer ) so is it an easy job to replace the rear shocks and springs on a Forester ?. Can someone direct me to a How To Guide. Thanks

Ordered a few litres of Motul Gear 300 75W90 GL-5 from Opie Oils. Have seen some good reviews so will give it a try. Thanks

Just short of 145,000 miles on my Forester XT. The first car I have owned with such high mileage.

Looking to change the oils in the Gearbox and Diffs on my Forester XT in the near future when I do the engine oil and filter. Are there any good How To Guides available for changing the Gearbox and diff oils?. Would I be better buying more expensive oil such as the Motul Gear 300 which will cost @ £70 for 5 Litres or should I be saving £30 by spending @ £39 on 5 Litres of the Triple QX 75 W 90 oil which is also rated to GL-5?. Is the more expensive Motul Gear 300 really that much better for the extra £30?. Are there any other recommended Gear oils that SOC members prefer?. Are there any recommended additives that may make for smoother gear changing?. Does the Forester 2.5XT have a Limited Slip Rear Diff and if so do I need LSD Oil?. Thank You

Interesting and looks to be in good condition for it's age. :) Maybe a bit of a collectors car for someone.

Glad I managed to get the motor working again, at least for the time being but hopefully for longer. Replacing the window motor looks to be an awkward job with not very good access and will probably be expensive too.

Thanks bitman. I would still appreciate it if you get chance to find that post regarding stripping and cleaning the switch as it could be of use to one of us Subaru owners in the future.

Managed to get almost an hour of dry weather so couldn't resist having a go. Removed the door card and plastic membrane. I wasn't going to try to remove the motor to test it as dark clouds were gathering again and I didn't want to risk another heavy downpour. Would have saved that job for a sunny day off when i have more time. Tested the voltage to the motor wires whilst operating the switch and that showed that power was present so not the switch. Then sprayed around the wiring and motor connecting gear with some WD40 and applied some light grease to the roller mechanisms. Hey Presto the motor started working again. Made sure that it went up and down a few times then left it before the rain started again. :( The motor may possibly be on it's way out though as it is making a little more noise than the other three window motors. Good Result - for now. Better than I was expecting. Thanks for your help and advice everyone. :)

Thanks Bitman.

Thanks Gambit. Will have a look at the 2004 Forester manual from your link.

Thanks for the replies. I will have a look at removing the switches and the door card if or when it stops raining cats and dogs. Is it easy to remove the door card and gain access to the motor ?. Which fuse protects the windows please?.

This afternoon the drivers window stopped working on my 2005 forester. :( Luckily it stopped working whilst in the closed position, otherwise due to the torrential heavy rain the interior would be filled with water. I have owned the Forester for a couple of months now and this is the first time that the window has not worked. I haven't noticed it slowing down or jerking whilst opening or closing it just would not open on and since this afternoon. The switch seems to be clicking when I press it to open the window and the other windows all seem to work correctly. The only electrical modification that I have done is to hard wire a dash camera using a piggy back fuse fitted into the Cigarette Lighter / mirror fuse. The mirrors and the dash camera still work ( the cigarette lighter didn't work when I bought the car ). I have checked the wires and all seems OK. I now have to start the process of elimination bearing in mind that it is absolutely persisting down outside and this is set to continue until Monday. Looking at the hopefully easy and simple fixes first. Is there a separate fuse for each window or would that be too easy?. Do the switches tend to fail?. Is it easy to remove the door panel to access the motor?. Thank You

Perhaps I will strike it lucky one day and find a nice set of Pro Drive Alloys and tyres at a decent price :) .

Thanks for the replies. They are second hand but they are too far away to go and try one on. Might have to wait for a set of suitable Forester alloys to come along. No point in risking buying them and having them delivered to find that they won't fit.

I think that the higher the ET number then the further out the wheel and tyre edge is from the hub. So if ET 48 is the standard then my wheel and tyre with ET 40 will be 8mm further into the wheel arch. ET 55 will push the wheel face and tyre 7mm further from the hub than a standard wheel. Wish i could get hold of one to try it. Have found a couple of sets set of 15" Impreza wheels and tyres. They are 17x7JJ, 5 x 100 PCD and ET55 with decent road tyres. . Another question, would a 15" Impreza alloy clear the brakes on a 2.5 XT?. Wish I could get one to try but they are too far to just pop over. Thanks

Has anyone fitted a set of wheels with 55mm offset to a Forester. My current wheels are 17 x JJ ET 40. Would the extra 15mm of offset push the tyres outside the edge of the wheel arch?. Just wondering if anyone has theses size of wheels fitted. Thanks

Thanks for the reply. Will have a look tomorrow or over the weekend.

Thank You.

Sorry to hear that you have to break the car. Don't suppose that the alloys would fit my 2005 Forester 2.5XT with Prodrive kit?. Could do with a spare set of alloys and tyres for summer as mine has virtually new 215/50/17 Winter tyres. Thanks