Cheapest fix for saggy butt under heavy loads?

Barbarella

New Member
Joined
Jun 28, 2020
Messages
2
Location
melbourne, australia
Car Year
2000
Car Model
forester
Transmission
Manual
2000 Forester. There's quite a bit of info out there 're. my issue but the best solution might be too costly. Our 2000 Forester, 230000km, very loved and reliable so far, has been taken camping a lot and down some bad dirt roads. We want to get a few more kilometres out of her, but when loaded with camp stuff, it bangs down hard on even the smallest bumps in the road.
Given the age and miles, we can't invest more than around $1000 Aussie. Ideally less. Would the recommendation be new, higher springs in the back? And can we leave the front alone? We can't do the work ourselves. I just want some more knowledge before I speak to a mechanic and get told I also need to replace the suspension or struts or anything else when I don't really have to. We've never done any work on the suspension and neither did the old owner, as far as I'm aware.
What would be the minimum work we could have done to better handle heavy loads on poopy roads?
As a bonus: anyone have a recommendation in Melbourne for a mechanic who is experienced with this?
Thanks so much. Really appreciate any advice.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
G'day & Welcome over here @Barabrella

As I said on the other forum it may need new rear struts and springs. The "banging" could be caused by a combination of failed struts and sagging springs.

I'm thinking that your model, the SF series, may not have self-leveling rear struts but if it does that could be the issue. The rear strut will have an extra "can" attached to the strut body. If that is the case then the only option is to replace both springs and strut with non self-leveling parts.

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:welcome: Barbarella.

I replaced my shagged SG rear with entire Pedders strut/spring units. Cost me about $800 with struts, fitting and four wheel alignment.

Whereabouts in Melbourne?
 
Thanks, Kevin and John. I'll have to check out whether we have self levelling or not. I rang Pedders and got a price to convert the self levelling and replace just the rear springs and suspension: $1100. We're in Northcote but can travel around Melbourne to get this done.
 
When I had mine done, Pedders installation and alignment prices were astronomical ...

I bought from Pedders. Installed by Lucas Automotive. Aligned at a place on North Road.
 
Kybs struts are pretty cheap even for me duno what can be cheaper there. You no go cheap for suspension and drivetrain you need it perform proper.
 
So you have extra cans there, interesting. I dont.
 
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