Gen 1 Liberty Wagon. Help!

[simondavid]

Hi all,

Thanks in advance for any advice/help offered. Im trying to get things done myself and im used to working on little old cars like escorts, rollas etc so even my 92 Liberty seems complicated haha.

I bought a 92 Liberty wagon a few weeks ago with the intention of fixing a few things and using it to continue travelling. Im in Victoria so i have to get a RWC to get it rego'd. The guy who sold it to me told me of a few problems it had; air suspension not working properly, steering wheel rubber loose, might need tyres etc. It was also clear that it had an exhaust leak. I paid a mechanic $50 to give it a look over, sort of a 'pre-rwc inspection'

He came up with this list:

-front tyres
-steering wheel rubber loose
-mid and rear mufflers need replacing
-rocker cover gasket leaking
-rear main leak
-the air suspension needs work/replacing
-needs wheel alignment

Most of that stuff i was aware of and willing to take on myself, apart from the rear main leak which he estimated would cost me $500 for him to fix.

I figure the first job is to fix the suspension so i can then get some tyres and wheel alignment, making it more drivable while i get the mechanical work done. The air bags seem fine, it has been sitting on the street at full height for over a week without dropping to the bump stops. BUT if i start her up and try lower and raise it again, the back does its job but it takes ages for the front to come back up. I am wondering if its an electrical issue and could be fixed easily?!

Otherwise id like to put some coil struts in it and forget about suspension for a while. Would be happy to use decent used parts but im wary of wreckers supplying the wrong/dodgy parts and ripping me off. Theres two sets of Impreza sedan struts on gumtree at the moment:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/belgrave ... 1028707596

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/springva ... 1030495449

Would either of these fit with little or no mods?

Do any of you guys (VIC) have some struts for sale that would suit my needs?

Can anyone recommend a trustworthy wrecker in Victoria who knows Subarus?

Any other suggestions for replacement suspension? i.e cheap decent coil overs?

Ill post a thread in the wanted section for the suspension and exhaust parts also


Thanks for any help!

-Simon

[razor]

I swapped out my air shocks for coil replacements off of the sedan. the only problem with that is you need stronger springs on the rear to accommodate the extra weight. there might be a small leak in the front bags that is only exposed when the car is low. not sure if impreza stuff will fit though

[b3nzor]

I have a pair of rear springs to suit gen 1 Libs, TEIN is the brand.
Downside is they are bloody hard, i think their racing springs or something, slightly lowering as well.

They were in my 89 Lib for a bit, might need clarification if they fit a 92, I can grab some shots and dimensions if your interested. Otherwise jappo donks in wodonga specialize in subaru parts, actually think that's where the shocks came from.

As for air suspension, don't pay the guy to repair it, seriously far better to replace with coils, you fix one leak and a week later you'll have another.