judienelson
New member
I am looking for front struts for my 1988 Subaru GL (4 door sedan, front wheel drive). Are there any other Subaru models that have compatible struts?
From what ive read 2004-2007 imprezas are interchangeable i dont know about 1998I have a 2007 Impreza 2.5i wagon with leaky rear struts but may have a complete set of KYB’s with springs from a buddy for a 1998 2.5 RS and just winding if these will work or what mods would be required?
Would 2003 Forrester Struts fit directly onto a 2003 Subaru Impreza TS 2.5?A question i see often, is what struts fit on what Subarus. It usually has to do with people wanting to lift or lower their car. So I figured I'd do a little write up.
So, as a rule, any 02-07 Impreza, 95-99 Legacy or Outback, and 98-08 Forester, share the same strut bolt patterns, both top and bottom. The entire strut assembly from any of these models, will bolt right into any of the other models and years, in that list. The exception is the STi. 04 STi shares the same as all of these, but 05+ STi, does not, as they changed to 5x114 hubs on those.
Now, if you install 02-07 Impreza struts into a Forester, or an Outback, it'll lower the car roughly 2". If you install them into a 95-99 Legacy, not much will change, nut the spring rates will be different for sure.
If you want to lift your 02-07 Impreza, you can use 98-08 Forester strut assemblies, or 96-99 Outback assemblies, 95 Outback was at the regular Legacy height.
98-08 front Forester strut assemblies are all pretty much the same. but, 98-02, and 03-08 Forester rear strut assemblies, are a bit different. The rear spring perch on the 98-02 Forester is lower than the 03-08. But if you use the 98-02 rear springs in the 03-08 Forester rear struts, it'll give a little stiffer ride, and help with saggy butt. But you also need to use the 98-02 top spring plate with that combo as well. And to follow that up, the 03-08 rear Forester struts, have a higher lower spring plate, so you're able to fit larger tires with those.
96-99 Outback struts, and 03-08 Forester struts are almost the same as well, both have the higher spring plate in the rear, but the Outback springs have a lower spring rate.
Hope that helps some confusion, and doesn't add any! Feel free to add info, or ask any further questions!
I am looking to lift my 1997 Subaru legacy outback wagon I was told about using 0405 Subaru Forester struts I was wondering if there bolt in straight in or if there's anything I have to do other than swap I was told possibly changing the top hats...? And how much would that possibly lift my wagon?A question i see often, is what struts fit on what Subarus. It usually has to do with people wanting to lift or lower their car. So I figured I'd do a little write up.
So, as a rule, any 02-07 Impreza, 95-99 Legacy or Outback, and 98-08 Forester, share the same strut bolt patterns, both top and bottom. The entire strut assembly from any of these models, will bolt right into any of the other models and years, in that list. The exception is the STi. 04 STi shares the same as all of these, but 05+ STi, does not, as they changed to 5x114 hubs on those.
Now, if you install 02-07 Impreza struts into a Forester, or an Outback, it'll lower the car roughly 2". If you install them into a 95-99 Legacy, not much will change, nut the spring rates will be different for sure.
If you want to lift your 02-07 Impreza, you can use 98-08 Forester strut assemblies, or 96-99 Outback assemblies, 95 Outback was at the regular Legacy height.
98-08 front Forester strut assemblies are all pretty much the same. but, 98-02, and 03-08 Forester rear strut assemblies, are a bit different. The rear spring perch on the 98-02 Forester is lower than the 03-08. But if you use the 98-02 rear springs in the 03-08 Forester rear struts, it'll give a little stiffer ride, and help with saggy butt. But you also need to use the 98-02 top spring plate with that combo as well. And to follow that up, the 03-08 rear Forester struts, have a higher lower spring plate, so you're able to fit larger tires with those.
96-99 Outback struts, and 03-08 Forester struts are almost the same as well, both have the higher spring plate in the rear, but the Outback springs have a lower spring rate.
Hope that helps some confusion, and doesn't add any! Feel free to add info, or ask any further questions!