2005 Legacy estate suspension

[Koolerking]

Hi,

My 2005 legacy estate is in need of suspension. I think. Basically it’s done 60’000 miles, but the struts, lower control arms, drop links etc are rusty. Bushes on control arms are probably needed.

So I’m thinking bilstine shocks, maybe autodoc lower control arms, but should I look at sti control arms? Would they fit?

I don’t know if the shocks are actually bad, nothing bad in the handling of the car, although my probably paranoia says it’s getting more noisy over the poor roads surfaces, but it doesn’t have any rebound issues of bad shocks. Any decent places to buy things as a package, maybe from the US?

Thanks

[markiii]

Bloke on the UK legacy forum gets really good pricing on the billies

[Koolerking]

Thanks for the reply,

Would you have a link, or info for the user, it seems the UK forum is down at the moment!

[Cambs_Stuart]

Aluminium arms from any JDM model are an upgrade as they are stronger and lighter that the steel ones on UK spec. And they don't rust. Occasionally you see imports being broken on the UK legacy Facebook page.
Generally, for a place to get OEM parts, then it's hard to beat import car parts.
https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/
I've been using them for years. Alyn at AS performance is also really helpful, and very knowledgeable on all Subaru's.

[Koolerking]

cool, thanks for the info!

[markiii]

Koolerking said:

Thanks for the reply,

Would you have a link, or info for the user, it seems the UK forum is down at the moment!

https://www.subarulegacy.com/forums/index.php?/topic/140758-new-bilsteins-for-sale-gen-4-legacys/

[julianm]

I've seen imported parts sourced from breakers in Japan on Ebay - including alloy control arms.
Might be worth having a look.

[Koolerking]

Good idea.

What’s everyone’s way of finding it say an upgraded JDM part fits my car, aim for Impreza of the same age as a search?

[Cambs_Stuart]

From memory, from what I've read the aluminium arms are the same on the gen 3 Legacy and newage Impreza, but the gen 4 legacy arms are only use don the legacy.

[wol]

Also, keep an eye out for cheap ebay auctions for the shocks themselves as Bilstein will test and refurb (the insides).

A little bit of trumpet blowing....I used to do quite a few sets a while back and with some paint and replacement stickers they were as good as new...


Before:


After:

[Koolerking]

Oh wow, that pretty good! How much does Bilstein charge for looking over old shocks?

[wol]

Koolerking said:

Oh wow, that pretty good! How much does Bilstein charge for looking over old shocks?

It was £135 for a set of 4, plus the cost of spraying (done by a friend) and you get a snazzy little graph showing their abilities too.

[Cambs_Stuart]

That's brilliant service from Bilstien. And good spraying from your friend.

[Konan]

Cambs_Stuart said:

Aluminium arms from any JDM model are an upgrade as they are stronger and lighter that the steel ones on UK spec. And they don't rust. Occasionally you see imports being broken on the UK legacy Facebook page.
Generally, for a place to get OEM parts, then it's hard to beat import car parts.
https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/
I've been using them for years. Alyn at AS performance is also really helpful, and very knowledgeable on all Subaru's.

Whatever you get, it's worth popping a poly bush in the rear joint of the front arm. The standard rubber ones last about 35 minutes before they perish.

[Koolerking]

Konan said:

Whatever you get, it's worth popping a poly bush in the rear joint of the front arm. The standard rubber ones last about 35 minutes before they perish.

I am actually looking at getting purple power flex anti roll bar and front+ rear control arm bushes. I think the standard anti roll bar is 18mm, can anyone confirm?

[Konan]

Koolerking said:

Konan said:

Whatever you get, it's worth popping a poly bush in the rear joint of the front arm. The standard rubber ones last about 35 minutes before they perish.

I am actually looking at getting purple power flex anti roll bar and front+ rear control arm bushes. I think the standard anti roll bar is 18mm, can anyone confirm?

Did you say which model you have?

[Koolerking]

Konan said:

Did you say which model you have?

I did at the top of the page. A 2005 Legacy, 2.0L NA.

[fungus_bogeyman]

Koolerking said:

I did at the top of the page. A 2005 Legacy, 2.0L NA.

Bit of a thread resurrection, but did you go with the suspension refresh, and if so what and how much OP?
Mulling over similar for my family workhorse...