Long time lurker finally takes the plunge!
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 10:03 pmHey all!
Paul here, got my first Subaru (incidentally also the first "proper" car I bought) last August. I had driven a Ford Festiva for a couple of years prior, which got totalled in July. Several friends of mine have Subarus, so I was easily sold on their advantages
It was a long 5 weeks without a car, but I finally snagged the Liberty pictured below for a bargain at $4,800, with 239,000 kms on the odometer. The 200k service had been done at 217k, and it had a practically brand new clutch and tyres. I only paid ~$2.7k out of pocket, thanks to the insurance pay out (not at fault). Ever since then, I've been a dedicated lurker on the Club Liberty Forums 
Finally decided to create an account seeing as I have a few questions about some forthcoming handling mods. Introduction template has been filled in below:
Name: Paul
Ride: Subaru Liberty RX MY02, 261ks on the clock.
Location: Sydney
Mod: bone stock except for a new clutch installed by the previous owner.
Plans: suspension all the way lol. I bought a set of Kings springs (KSFL-27 + 28) 2 months ago but have been a bit busy to install them. I also have my eye on a good set of 2nd-hand Bilstein shocks. A friend has offered his help, so I'll hopefully get that done soon.
Occupation: uni student
Year of birth: not too long ago
Interest: tinkering with computers, hanging out with friends, reading.
Previous Rides: Ford Festiva Trio 1992. Sardine tin on wheels FTW
I'll probably create a new thread in the relevant forum, but for now, some noob questions:
1. I'm looking at a set of Gen4 Bilstein strutsthat have done ~100k, going for $550. Does anyone have experience with buying a set of 2nd-hand struts? Worth it? I'm not too keen on spending a lot more than that, seeing as I already have paid for Kings springs.
2. Speaking of which, what will be the difference if I install the Bilsteins but leave the stock springs in?
3. Having done some brief research, it seems that Gen4 struts can fit, as long as the tophats are discarded in favour of the original ones in a Gen3. Has anyone done that in an MY02 RX?
4. What about alignment? Will the toe/camber/whatever get permanently out of whack, or will everything be fine after a realignment?
5. Would I be better off just taking the parts to a shop and getting them installed? Springs are somewhat straighforward, but I honestly have no idea about springs.
Finally - is this even a good idea? Please help a noob out
lol
Paul here, got my first Subaru (incidentally also the first "proper" car I bought) last August. I had driven a Ford Festiva for a couple of years prior, which got totalled in July. Several friends of mine have Subarus, so I was easily sold on their advantages
It was a long 5 weeks without a car, but I finally snagged the Liberty pictured below for a bargain at $4,800, with 239,000 kms on the odometer. The 200k service had been done at 217k, and it had a practically brand new clutch and tyres. I only paid ~$2.7k out of pocket, thanks to the insurance pay out (not at fault). Ever since then, I've been a dedicated lurker on the Club Liberty Forums Finally decided to create an account seeing as I have a few questions about some forthcoming handling mods. Introduction template has been filled in below:
Name: Paul
Ride: Subaru Liberty RX MY02, 261ks on the clock.
Location: Sydney
Mod: bone stock except for a new clutch installed by the previous owner.
Plans: suspension all the way lol. I bought a set of Kings springs (KSFL-27 + 28) 2 months ago but have been a bit busy to install them. I also have my eye on a good set of 2nd-hand Bilstein shocks. A friend has offered his help, so I'll hopefully get that done soon.
Occupation: uni student
Year of birth: not too long ago
Interest: tinkering with computers, hanging out with friends, reading.
Previous Rides: Ford Festiva Trio 1992. Sardine tin on wheels FTW
I'll probably create a new thread in the relevant forum, but for now, some noob questions:
1. I'm looking at a set of Gen4 Bilstein strutsthat have done ~100k, going for $550. Does anyone have experience with buying a set of 2nd-hand struts? Worth it? I'm not too keen on spending a lot more than that, seeing as I already have paid for Kings springs.
2. Speaking of which, what will be the difference if I install the Bilsteins but leave the stock springs in?
3. Having done some brief research, it seems that Gen4 struts can fit, as long as the tophats are discarded in favour of the original ones in a Gen3. Has anyone done that in an MY02 RX?
4. What about alignment? Will the toe/camber/whatever get permanently out of whack, or will everything be fine after a realignment?
5. Would I be better off just taking the parts to a shop and getting them installed? Springs are somewhat straighforward, but I honestly have no idea about springs.
Finally - is this even a good idea? Please help a noob out
lol
. I bought just before the market crashed.