Replacing Shock Absorber

[havachat]

Hi Nachaluva,
I am abit confused by this

I reckon a better way to go now is standard height Kings (which are still a little firmer than OEM) plus a 2" strut lift. That way you still get your better ground clearance but with better wheel travel than raised springs & its not too bad on the CVs. Only thing is its a little more expensive.

a raised spring will extend the strut further and a strut lift will push the strut down so I don't get how this is any different on the CVs

 

[NachaLuva]

a raised spring will extend the strut further and a strut lift will push the strut down so I don't get how this is any different on the CVs

Thats exactly right...both push the hub down so increases the CV angle. Both are fine on the CVs...IMO anything up to an increase of 2" wont affect the CVs reliability (presuming they're in good condition to start with).

Standard height springs with a 2" strut lift versus 35mm lift with raised springs will give you better wheel travel esp droop & slightly more lift (IMO). Its just more expensive & more effort... Both ways should be fine on CVs. Both have their pros & cons. Eg, raised springs give much better handling onroad but less ability offroad. They do however reduce negative camber or even give a little positive. Aftermarket camber bolts can correct this...

 

[Sarge98]

IIRC, the Kings were ~$150 pair, the killer is the struts...KYBs were ~$200 each! I did some ringing around & haggled a deal for about $900 the lot.

I would be happy to pay $150 a pair for the kings, cheaper than I thought!

If you want to go new struts, springs & strut top blocks, you'd be looking at around $1300-1500 plus installation (not too hard to do yourself if you're mechanically minded, esp with help). Whichever path you go, also add in a wheel alignment.

Geez, thats a little too expensive for me unfortunately!

What are your front struts like? If its only the rears that are stuffed you can save a lot by keeping the fronts.

Front struts are good as far as I can tell, but is it alright to have different struts to the rear??

Thanks for your help NL!

If you go KYB's I'd source them through Covs. Makes warranty a lot easier and they tend to be cheaper than sourcing them through suspension shops.

Tazas Dobinsons have been very good however the ride is extremely harsh. Kings are sort of the middle ground. If you want a bit more wheel travel and softer ride I'd go kings, if you expect to be loading up your Foz with a LOT of weight I'd go Dobinsons.

Thanks for the advice David! What do you classify as a lot of weight - pulling a loaded trailer round, or just loading up the boot with camping gear etc?

Do lots of research & work out exactly what requirements you have, ie, more onroad or offroad, soft or firm ride, budget, etc

Yep! I would guess I would want a combination that is more offroad seeing as I use my car regularly offroad. Would also want a set-up which can last as long as possible through corrugations as I know in the future I will be travelling parts of Aus which will undoubtedly have those infamous bone-jarring corrugations.

Happy to show you my setup sometime if your keen??

Would appreciate that mate! Would be good to get your advice seeing as you've tried more than one set-up.

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday Tim

Keep in mind that there are two "sub-models" of the SG Forester ...
2002-2005 (mid year) and 2006-2008 (mid year).

The SG(1) improved the handling over the SF, and the SG(2) further improved the handling compared with that of the SG(1), as I understand things.

If you are looking for parts, it might pay to look very closely at the differences between the SG(1) and SG(2).

 

[Sarge98]

Another question - what is the difference between putting in SG struts and KYB?

If there is not much difference between the two (quality and offroad wise) then wouldn't it be cheaper to get the SG struts from a local wreckers? Found a thread about installing the SG struts and its sounds relatively easy.

Do KYB struts also give a 10mm lift?

 

[Sarge98]

Gidday Tim

Keep in mind that there are two "sub-models" of the SG Forester ...
2002-2005 (mid year) and 2006-2008 (mid year).

The SG(1) improved the handling over the SF, and the SG(2) further improved the handling compared with that of the SG(1), as I understand things.

If you are looking for parts, it might pay to look very closely at the differences between the SG(1) and SG(2).

Great, thanks RB1! Handy to keep that piece of info in mind!

 

[taza]

The problem with used struts is you'll still pay 2/3 of the price of new ones and they will probably be quite worn out with atleast 100,000+km on them...
If I were you I'd replace the rears with new KYB SG(2002-2005) struts/shocks, leave the stock front ones and put the Dobinson springs in all round. That's what I first did. I got over 80,000km of very very extreme and intensise offroading and general P-Plate thrashing out of my original front struts and another 120,000km on them before that. I only just replaced my original front 2 struts about a month ago.

 

[thunder039]

Wish I got that many kid out if mind Taza.
No way I can get kyb that cheap through work our cost price is 170!
It is expensive to do the lift to start off with but seeming your shocks and springs are stuffed now you mile as well replace them with a lift.
If I didn't carry loads I think I would go with SG rear struts and standard springs with strut spacers. This way articulation is Better and would work out much cheaper. But i would only do this if I didn't carry big loads.

 

[NachaLuva]

I would be happy to pay $150 a pair for the kings, cheaper than I thought!

Yep thats a great price! A great offer :iconwink:

Geez, thats a little too expensive for me unfortunately!

Very understandable, its a lot of moulah...

Front struts are good as far as I can tell, but is it alright to have different struts to the rear??

I wouldnt have new one side & old the other, but new rear & old front is fine as long as the fronts are still good

The problem with used struts is you'll still pay 2/3 of the price of new ones and they will probably be quite worn out with atleast 100,000+km on them...
If I were you I'd replace the rears with new KYB SG(2002-2005) struts/shocks, leave the stock front ones and put the Dobinson springs in all round.

+1 on both counts, except I'd go Kings unless you really load up the car with a lot of weight (family, camping gear, fridge, dual batteries, etc. Dog on the roof :iconwink

My 1st step was raised springs. Its a compromise for offroad but I wanted something that improved the handling onroad & it has certainly done that

 

[Sarge98]

Sweet, thanks for all the help guys!

So, I have been thinking about all the different combinations, and think I will end up chucking some raised springs (haven't decided over Kings or Dobinsons yet) in both ends of the car, KYB struts definitely in the rear (haven't decided whether to put them in the front yet, but think I will) and upgrade my Dueler 205 AT's when they are worn to Dueler 215/65 AT's.

- KYB Struts = ~ 10mm
- Raised Dobinsons = 35cm (rear) and 30cm (front)
or
- Raised Kings = 36cm (rear) and 35cm (front)

Giving around 45cm (rear) and 40cm (front)? Does this mean that much lift ontop of what I have already, or does it mean that much from tyre to arch?

I guess if I feel I need more lift later, I'll put in a 1" block.

 

[havachat]

Hi Sarge98,

Does this mean that much lift ontop of what I have already, or does it mean that much from tyre to arch?

the best way to measure is from the 6 o'clock position on the wheel rim to the 12 o'clock position on the wheel arch.

 

[Sarge98]

Cool, thanks!

 

[Sarge98]

Rang Dobinsons up today just to get a rough estimate and they quoted $188 for a pair of springs and $1600 all up for 4 x KYB struts, 2 pairs of coils + fitment.

Definitely think I will be looking round to drop that price down a bit.

 

[taza]

Really?? I got mine done originally for $900 with new Dobinson springs all round, kyb rear struts, fitting and a wheel alignment at Malaga Springs and Suspension. They were great and very helpful. They are the main Robinson reseller in WA.

 

[mr turbo]

I'm just thinking allowed & just going by the two previous/above posts, but perhaps the difference in price is because Sarge98 was quoted for 4x KYB struts & yours taza, was only for rear kyb's

Regards
Mr Turbo

 

[Sarge98]

Yep! I read that you sourced your struts through covs though, so maybe thats why? I will give MSS a ring today and see what they quote for it!

$900 is a way better price!!

 

[Sarge98]

I'm just thinking allowed & just going by the two previous/above posts, but perhaps the difference in price is because Sarge98 was quoted for 4x KYB struts & yours taza, was only for rear kyb's

Regards
Mr Turbo

Good call, that could be it!

I forgot to ask how much they wanted per strut just cause I wanted to know too.

 

[NachaLuva]

How mechanically minded are you? Doing springs/struts isnt too hard & it will save you a few $$$

IMO its a must to call around LOTS of places. If you save $200 with 1 hour of phone calls thats $200 per hour! Only a few professions I know of where you can earn that!!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

 

[Sarge98]

Not that mechanically minded to tell the truth, but I do like to know how things work, so its possible I could do it with some help!

Just rang MSS and he quoted $216 for each strut. For 4 x Dobinson springs + KYB rear struts only + fitting and wheel alignment was $1220.

Will definitely ring up Covs and see how much the struts are.

 

[taza]

Just rang MSS and he quoted $216 for each strut. For 4 x Dobinson springs + KYB rear struts only + fitting and wheel alignment was $1220.

That sounds better. If you bought the KYB's and went in with them. Got MSS to supply the springs and fit then you might save abit more.. :iconwink: