Forester SH Forester Struts and Springs Options

[Jomojomo]

Hi all,

Just had a bunch of work done to turn my 08 plated SH into an offroad beast and it was noted that the rear drivers side strut is leaking. So I think it's best to replace all 4 at this age.

My understanding is that the KYB Excel-G or Bilstein B6 are the recommended struts however due to the self-levelling suspension it is required to replace springs also - king springs recommended. Have I got this right?


What I've done to my foz:
ADS All-Terrain Dual Range 1.447 gearbox w/ 4.44 final drive
12kg centre diff
STI Torsen/Helical front diff
Torq master rear autolocker
Subaxtreme sump guard
DIY gearbox and rear diff guard currently building my garage
2/2.5" SLO ordered - awaiting shipping

 

[Kevin]

My understanding is that the KYB Excel-G or Bilstein B6 are the recommended struts however due to the self-levelling suspension it is required to replace springs also - king springs recommended. Have I got this right?

You have indeed got it right.

That vehicle would be a bit of a weapon offroad!

 

[Jomojomo]

You have indeed got it right.

That vehicle would be a bit of a weapon offroad!

Thanks Kevin - really looking forward to getting out there with it

So I believe I'm looking at:
King Springs KSFS-55 Pair of Front Standard Springs - https://www.sparesbox.com.au/part/king-springs-coil-springs-standard-front-ksfs-55
King Springs KSRS-56 Pair of Rear Standard Springs - https://www.sparesbox.com.au/part/king-springs-coil-springs-standard-rear-ksrs-56

KYB Excel-G Shock Absorber Front RH - Part Number: 339169 - https://www.sparesbox.com.au/part/kyb-excel-g-shock-absorber-front-rh-339169
KYB Excel-G Shock Absorber Front LH - Part Number: 339170 - https://www.sparesbox.com.au/part/kyb-excel-g-shock-absorber-front-lh-339170
KYB Excel-G Shock Absorber Rear Pair - Part Number: 341486 - https://www.sparesbox.com.au/part/kyb-excel-g-shock-absorber-rear-pair-341486

 

[JohnA]

How does the new drivetrain work off road, Jomo and are you happy with performance around town? How are the revs in top on the freeway - much difference? Have you had the lift yet - any observations on that?

 

[Jomojomo]

Hey mate, I haven't had much of a chance yet to go offroad with work being so busy, but the little bit I have done was great - the car just walks across the terrain basically just idling in 2nd gear low-range. Around town it's fine too - a lot of people online had spoken about the clicking from the torqmaster - I literally can only hear it if I specifically listen out for it and haven't had people in carparks turning their heads either.

There is an occasional loud clunk and body shudder that is a bit unnerving but I'm told is completely normal for this style of locker, and it only happens under specific conditions so not a big worry. I managed to catch it on my gopro - it sounds louder in the car though - https://gopro.com/v/gvpo336aP6l5W

Freeway revs I was expecting significant change (higher revs due to the gearing ratio change) and higher fuel consumption - but it's nowhere near as bad as I expected. I think from memory it's roughly 300rpm higher at the same speeds, and fuel consumption has moved up probably .2 - .4 L/100km so nothing terrible.

Lift kit not installed yet, but should be arriving in the post today! I bought a second hand SLO 2/2.5 kit to avoid the current wait times. The springs and shocks I listed above also are due for delivery later this week - so excited for that.


The notes I would make are:

1. Xtreme clutch - I don't think I'd enjoy driving this around Sydney, my leg would get tired But in Glen Innes where I live it's fine. I was living in Orange previously and it'd be fine around there too - country towns are just built different
2. I'm still adjusting to the gear ratio change and do find myself having to shift down a gear more often to give it a bit of grunt. My driving style is generally pretty cruisy, low revs, so when a hill comes up I usually find that the car isn't too happy sitting in 5th anymore and needs the gear to be fed to it....

Overall really happy though

 

[ateday]

I know what you mean, 5th is not a grunty town gear. Happy to be in if revs are at about 1800/2000 and up but just don`t floor it and expect a smooth take off.
Mine is standard ratios except for the LR.

 

[Barnacle]

Don't forget some new bump stops and dust covers for the new rears.

 

[Jomojomo]

Any chance you can kick us a part number or link - im away camping at the moment but better order them too

Thanks mate!

 

[Barnacle]

20372SC000 & 20371FG000

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.. 2009 subaru Forester | Subaru Parts Online

2009 subaru Forester REAR SHOCK ABSORBER.

parts.subaru.com

I couldn't find a kit for mine, I just went to the parts store and rifled through the bins till I found something. They're common to all the subarus of the gen, so I'm sure they're out there but IDK.

 

[JohnA]

Hey mate, I haven't had much of a chance yet to go offroad with work being so busy, but the little bit I have done was great - the car just walks across the terrain basically just idling in 2nd gear low-range. Around town it's fine too - a lot of people online had spoken about the clicking from the torqmaster - I literally can only hear it if I specifically listen out for it and haven't had people in carparks turning their heads either.

There is an occasional loud clunk and body shudder that is a bit unnerving but I'm told is completely normal for this style of locker, and it only happens under specific conditions so not a big worry. I managed to catch it on my gopro - it sounds louder in the car though - https://gopro.com/v/gvpo336aP6l5W

Freeway revs I was expecting significant change (higher revs due to the gearing ratio change) and higher fuel consumption - but it's nowhere near as bad as I expected. I think from memory it's roughly 300rpm higher at the same speeds, and fuel consumption has moved up probably .2 - .4 L/100km so nothing terrible.

Lift kit not installed yet, but should be arriving in the post today! I bought a second hand SLO 2/2.5 kit to avoid the current wait times. The springs and shocks I listed above also are due for delivery later this week - so excited for that.


The notes I would make are:

1. Xtreme clutch - I don't think I'd enjoy driving this around Sydney, my leg would get tired But in Glen Innes where I live it's fine. I was living in Orange previously and it'd be fine around there too - country towns are just built different
2. I'm still adjusting to the gear ratio change and do find myself having to shift down a gear more often to give it a bit of grunt. My driving style is generally pretty cruisy, low revs, so when a hill comes up I usually find that the car isn't too happy sitting in 5th anymore and needs the gear to be fed to it....

Overall really happy though

Thanks, Jomo - those fuel numbers look ok and love the idea of walking across broken terrain.

Am getting a similar setup to you but with a basic LSD at the back - will have the 4.444 final drive, so will have your overall gearing but without the awesome performance of the TM offroad. Will have a 20kg centre and a Torsen front - trying for something with maximum ability offroad and maximum drivability in city. Not decided on clutch. Standard easy to smoke up on any kind of slope when slipping to balance speed/revs, but maybe lighter better most the time and slipping not needed with upgraded drivetrain.

Good to hear highway revs not too different in top - this area has always been a point of interest to me, given the 2.5L boxer doesn't seem to reach its 'power band' until a bit over 3000rpm - about 120kmph in 5th. It's hard to hold rpm in 5th on a grade at legal speeds on country roads - she just falls away at 2500-2800rpm.

Was out of town recently and as usual found 4th and 5th - both overdriven - to be too high on windy country roads, so might appreciate the lower gearing then, though will probably resent those higher revs on open country roads and the freeway.

It's bloody tricky. Quite like the standard ratios and would have loved a big low-range reduction of say, 1:75, all the same ratios 1-4, and the slightly higher 5th for the freeway, rear diff staying 4.111. Guess you have to go with what's available and see how it feels.

With the standard drivetrain I nearly didn't get out of the below situation last week...there was a point it seemed only one wheel was doing the driving...am hoping the diff upgrades help in this sort of slippery stuff. The current drivetrain also tends to be helpless when faced with granite sand on a decent slope, even at nominal 20-22lb tyre pressures, something I really hate.

Looking forward to hearing more about your lift - still torn about taking that step up...


Sidmouth Valley Creek

 

[Dave Hansford]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but while we’re talking (sort of) about Bilsteins and Kings: has anyone here by chance fitted King raised springs to the 5056J shocks Bilstein made for the BP Outback? I have to stop buying stuff: our Outback is starting to sag. These Bilstein springs are too soft for loaded-up touring, I think…

 

[BonkersBaja]

I've spent considerable time and experimentation with the Torq lockers. I built a center lock from one of the 1-bolt models and put it into a mt5 as an experiment. I also built a 5-bolt into the front diff that I quite like... there is a post concerning the front locker.

I've discovered that loud random clunk is when the side gear portion works it way inward. The only thing keeping it seated is the springs of the lock. I've taken to building nylon bushings that are a loose fit around the splines for ID, and some oil clearance smaller than the ID of the lock center sections for it's OD. The length of the bushing will be the measurement between the seated side gear and the cross pin, less just a small oil clearance. Someone with a lathe can make these in about 20 minutes. It will make the sudden clunks go away. Beyond that, I assure you that as they polish up from working, they get smoother. I pre-polish mine. It's very rare for me to hear anything from my Torq lockers even having a manual transmission.