How to replace front suspension struts
#1
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Thread Starter
How to replace front suspension struts
Hi guys, I started the replacement of my front suspension struts and logged the step by step guide for any of you DIY’ers. I’ve included a host of tips to make the job easier and hopefully some will find it useful.
https://youtu.be/XPcIMvooooU
https://youtu.be/XPcIMvooooU
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#3
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I haven't seen these released in the UK/Europe as yet.
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted widetrack front struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029 (UK equivalent 321004)
kyb 5510030 (UK equivalent 321005)
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted widetrack front struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029 (UK equivalent 321004)
kyb 5510030 (UK equivalent 321005)
Last edited by 2pot; 31 December 2021 at 11:21 AM.
#4
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
I haven't seen these released in the UK/Europe as yet.
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029
kyb 5510030
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029
kyb 5510030
1. Can you confirm that these will fit the widetrack 114PCD blobeye? I assume that these are the original spec inverted KYB struts?
2. Assume that you’d recommend replacement springs too - Do you have any info on OEM spec springs?
Thanks again - much appreciated 👍🏻
#5
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Yes - they are for widetrack 114.3pcd fronts.
The stock sti springs were black. At static ride height: 195lb/in front, 171lb/in rear. Fully compressed: 223lb/in front ,195lb/in rear.
The Prodrive sti did not have a stiffened suspension, it also used the above springs.
Prodrive did make a lowering spring set for the widetrack.
Prodrive lowering spring set were red:
S05/D5/001 FRONT: 234lb/in
S05/D5/001 REAR
They came with a 10mm shorter, internal, front bump stop, because of the spring's lower front ride height.
I have made widetrack front springs, similar to the Prodrive widetrack fronts:
WA/A2: 246lb/in front - it's linear rate from 15mm above ride height to coilbind.
The stock sti springs were black. At static ride height: 195lb/in front, 171lb/in rear. Fully compressed: 223lb/in front ,195lb/in rear.
The Prodrive sti did not have a stiffened suspension, it also used the above springs.
Prodrive did make a lowering spring set for the widetrack.
Prodrive lowering spring set were red:
S05/D5/001 FRONT: 234lb/in
S05/D5/001 REAR
They came with a 10mm shorter, internal, front bump stop, because of the spring's lower front ride height.
I have made widetrack front springs, similar to the Prodrive widetrack fronts:
WA/A2: 246lb/in front - it's linear rate from 15mm above ride height to coilbind.
Last edited by 2pot; 21 November 2021 at 11:38 AM.
#7
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Are these not the ones?
https://pedders.co.uk/pedders-ezifit...4-3-pcd-803049
https://pedders.co.uk/pedders-ezifit...4-3-pcd-803049
I haven't seen these released in the UK/Europe as yet.
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029
kyb 5510030
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029
kyb 5510030
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#10
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Yes - they are for widetrack 114.3pcd fronts.
The stock sti springs were black. At static ride height: 195lb/in front, 171lb/in rear. Fully compressed: 223lb/in front ,195lb/in rear.
The Prodrive sti did not have a stiffened suspension, it also used the above springs.
Prodrive did make a lowering spring set for the widetrack.
Prodrive lowering spring set were red:
S05/D5/001 FRONT: 234lb/in
S05/D5/001 REAR
They came with a 10mm shorter, internal, front bump stop, because of the spring's lower front ride height.
I have made widetrack front springs, similar to the Prodrive widetrack fronts:
WA/A2: 246lb/in front - it's linear rate from 15mm above ride height to coilbind.
The stock sti springs were black. At static ride height: 195lb/in front, 171lb/in rear. Fully compressed: 223lb/in front ,195lb/in rear.
The Prodrive sti did not have a stiffened suspension, it also used the above springs.
Prodrive did make a lowering spring set for the widetrack.
Prodrive lowering spring set were red:
S05/D5/001 FRONT: 234lb/in
S05/D5/001 REAR
They came with a 10mm shorter, internal, front bump stop, because of the spring's lower front ride height.
I have made widetrack front springs, similar to the Prodrive widetrack fronts:
WA/A2: 246lb/in front - it's linear rate from 15mm above ride height to coilbind.
#11
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Your front springs are red - not the stock height black. Any lettering left on your front or rear springs?
OEM sti ride heights were 385mm front, 365mm rear - wheel centre to arch (with new springs and struts and a full tank of fuel).
Red S05/D5/001 fronts were 18mm lower than stock.
Surface rust only, you could re-paint/powder coat the springs. Any flaking off of the metal, you need new springs.
OEM sti ride heights were 385mm front, 365mm rear - wheel centre to arch (with new springs and struts and a full tank of fuel).
Red S05/D5/001 fronts were 18mm lower than stock.
Surface rust only, you could re-paint/powder coat the springs. Any flaking off of the metal, you need new springs.
#12
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
sti widetrack fronts: 20330FE921
https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
The originally transparent tubing, on your existing springs, would need replacing, if you re-paint/powder coat. Check inside that tubing, as springs may fail around that area, if the powder coating has failed and moisture has been held within the tubing, so flaking/narrowing the wire.
https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
The originally transparent tubing, on your existing springs, would need replacing, if you re-paint/powder coat. Check inside that tubing, as springs may fail around that area, if the powder coating has failed and moisture has been held within the tubing, so flaking/narrowing the wire.
Last edited by 2pot; 22 November 2021 at 08:58 AM.
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#14
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
So I thought I’d do a quick update on my replacement front suspension struts of my ‘05 STI widetrack.
Wanting to keep the car as standard as possible I decided to source KYB struts from the US and 2-pot provided me with replacement springs/bump stops and I sourced top mounts from IPC (eBay).
Today I stripped the old struts apart and found that they didn’t have any bump stops fitted (expected them located inside the dust cover). Is this normal? I thought not, but someone has said that the KYB inverted struts have the bump stops internal to the damper - is this true?
Second question: does anyone know of the part no. (or spec) of the top nut that sits through and above the top mount?
I’ll edit a video and put another link here when I get to putting the suspension struts together to show what/how I got on with it.
Any help with the above questions will be appreciated. Below is a photo of my old suspension strut stripped.
Wanting to keep the car as standard as possible I decided to source KYB struts from the US and 2-pot provided me with replacement springs/bump stops and I sourced top mounts from IPC (eBay).
Today I stripped the old struts apart and found that they didn’t have any bump stops fitted (expected them located inside the dust cover). Is this normal? I thought not, but someone has said that the KYB inverted struts have the bump stops internal to the damper - is this true?
Second question: does anyone know of the part no. (or spec) of the top nut that sits through and above the top mount?
I’ll edit a video and put another link here when I get to putting the suspension struts together to show what/how I got on with it.
Any help with the above questions will be appreciated. Below is a photo of my old suspension strut stripped.
#15
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
The new struts usually come with a new top nut, rolling around in the box.
Bump stops are internal on inverted struts - fitting is as per the install info, attached to your email of the 22/11.
As per my amended info, after installing the new bump stops, DO NOT use Prodrive's suggested 40N/m when tightening the lower nut - incremental install torque must be as per my info, or you risk irreversible damage to the locating flats in the base of the strut housing. Ensure no internal grease transfer is left on the threads, before beginning to torque.
Bump stops are internal on inverted struts - fitting is as per the install info, attached to your email of the 22/11.
As per my amended info, after installing the new bump stops, DO NOT use Prodrive's suggested 40N/m when tightening the lower nut - incremental install torque must be as per my info, or you risk irreversible damage to the locating flats in the base of the strut housing. Ensure no internal grease transfer is left on the threads, before beginning to torque.
Last edited by 2pot; 29 December 2021 at 09:43 PM.
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#16
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
2pot thanks - just looked at the attachment you emailed me! I’ll have a go at changing the bump stops over this weekend.
I’ll also check the KYB box again in case they’re in there and I’ve missed them. Thanks again
I’ll also check the KYB box again in case they’re in there and I’ve missed them. Thanks again
#17
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Out of interest, how long did the US sourced widetrack struts take to arrive?
If you want genuine top nuts, for originality:
https://www.dlmotorsportparts.co.uk/...u-lock-nut-m12
If you want genuine top nuts, for originality:
https://www.dlmotorsportparts.co.uk/...u-lock-nut-m12
Last edited by 2pot; 29 December 2021 at 10:32 PM.
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#19
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Out of interest, how long did the US sourced widetrack struts take to arrive?
If you want genuine top nuts, for originality:
https://www.dlmotorsportparts.co.uk/...u-lock-nut-m12
If you want genuine top nuts, for originality:
https://www.dlmotorsportparts.co.uk/...u-lock-nut-m12
You were right too - they came with new nuts in the box.
#20
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
At last, this is Part 2. In this video I show what parts I sourced, how to strip a suspension strut, replace the internal bump stop in my new KYB dampers and re-assembly. I hope you enjoy.
I also need to give 2pot a special mention as it’s his detailed instruction that I followed throughout which made the task that more straightforward - thanks buddy
I also need to give 2pot a special mention as it’s his detailed instruction that I followed throughout which made the task that more straightforward - thanks buddy
#21
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Well done! Seeing it all in video must be a great help to others.
I wonder if you're the first, in the UK, to fit those aftermarket front, widetrack, 114.3 pcd struts?
Additional info for others:
If you want new front inverted STI strut dust boots:
2 x 20322AC000 https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
The above image is wrong - it's showing rear inverted dust boots.
Or here:
2 x https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=20322AC000
Don't order 20322AA000 by mistake! - those are the standard non-inverted front dust boots.
If new cone washers required 20326AA000
2 x https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...&var=0&dc=&gen
Make sure you fit cone-side up INBETWEEN the top mount and the spring perch.
Check the front top spring seat central locating holes for circularity, before re-assembly, as they may have been incorrectly tightened/damaged/made oval in the past.
If damaged:
Front perch 20323FA000 https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
Front upper rubber isolator - 2 x 20325FA000 https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
Using 33N/m lower nut torque removes the, very real, possibility of rounding off the flats on the base of the strut housing, or stripping the M10 x 1.25 pitch threads on the damper insert. Removing ALL grease transfer onto the M10 threads, before torquing, is important.
Torque incrementally: 10, 20, 30 then 33N/m
You can lightly grease the strut housing rubber seal, before re-inserting the damper insert - reduces the chance of inverting the seal.
The stiff front stops are tricky to remove (the rears are much softer/easier).
Best to put the M10 end of the damper insert on hard ground and slide/press the bump stop towards the ground. That helps clear the first/tightest node of the bump stop.
The OEM/KYB front stop is 60mm, the Prodrive front stop was 50mm, the replacement front stops in the video, are 40mm.
I wonder if you're the first, in the UK, to fit those aftermarket front, widetrack, 114.3 pcd struts?
Additional info for others:
If you want new front inverted STI strut dust boots:
2 x 20322AC000 https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
The above image is wrong - it's showing rear inverted dust boots.
Or here:
2 x https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=20322AC000
Don't order 20322AA000 by mistake! - those are the standard non-inverted front dust boots.
If new cone washers required 20326AA000
2 x https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...&var=0&dc=&gen
Make sure you fit cone-side up INBETWEEN the top mount and the spring perch.
Check the front top spring seat central locating holes for circularity, before re-assembly, as they may have been incorrectly tightened/damaged/made oval in the past.
If damaged:
Front perch 20323FA000 https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
Front upper rubber isolator - 2 x 20325FA000 https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=
Using 33N/m lower nut torque removes the, very real, possibility of rounding off the flats on the base of the strut housing, or stripping the M10 x 1.25 pitch threads on the damper insert. Removing ALL grease transfer onto the M10 threads, before torquing, is important.
Torque incrementally: 10, 20, 30 then 33N/m
You can lightly grease the strut housing rubber seal, before re-inserting the damper insert - reduces the chance of inverting the seal.
The stiff front stops are tricky to remove (the rears are much softer/easier).
Best to put the M10 end of the damper insert on hard ground and slide/press the bump stop towards the ground. That helps clear the first/tightest node of the bump stop.
The OEM/KYB front stop is 60mm, the Prodrive front stop was 50mm, the replacement front stops in the video, are 40mm.
Last edited by 2pot; 15 January 2022 at 12:24 PM.
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#23
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
After nearly 2 months from starting (it was supposed to be an afternoon of old strut out and new strut in) the cars finally back on the road. All the knocking noises have gone and the car feels much better for the brand new front struts.
A big thank you to 2pot that has helped and supported me through the process. I’ll drop my 3rd and final video into the chat below. Any questions, please ask 2pot 🤣 oh yes, I’ll be starting the rears later this year ….. let the next adventure start 😁
A big thank you to 2pot that has helped and supported me through the process. I’ll drop my 3rd and final video into the chat below. Any questions, please ask 2pot 🤣 oh yes, I’ll be starting the rears later this year ….. let the next adventure start 😁
#25
Thanks for making these videos, really useful!
A couple of questions:
1. What springs do you have here? are these the 2005 Prodrive STI Springs? If so, please can you post some photos of the car, I would love to have a look at the ride height as I'm currently looking to buy new springs for my Widetrack Blob.
2. The Dampers you are using do not look like original KYBs, are they a generic replacement part?
A couple of questions:
1. What springs do you have here? are these the 2005 Prodrive STI Springs? If so, please can you post some photos of the car, I would love to have a look at the ride height as I'm currently looking to buy new springs for my Widetrack Blob.
2. The Dampers you are using do not look like original KYBs, are they a generic replacement part?
#26
I haven't seen these released in the UK/Europe as yet.
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted widetrack front struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029 (UK equivalent 321004)
kyb 5510030 (UK equivalent 321005)
Personally, I wouldn't be re-using 15 year old struts on a 140mph sports car.
Inverted widetrack front struts:
kyb 5510035
kyb 5510036
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32480809425...fuBSY#shpCntId
+ $115 to get them through customs
Depending on exchange rate £380ish in total.
Rears:
kyb 5510029 (UK equivalent 321004)
kyb 5510030 (UK equivalent 321005)
#27
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
Thanks for making these videos, really useful!
A couple of questions:
1. What springs do you have here? are these the 2005 Prodrive STI Springs? If so, please can you post some photos of the car, I would love to have a look at the ride height as I'm currently looking to buy new springs for my Widetrack Blob.
2. The Dampers you are using do not look like original KYBs, are they a generic replacement part?
A couple of questions:
1. What springs do you have here? are these the 2005 Prodrive STI Springs? If so, please can you post some photos of the car, I would love to have a look at the ride height as I'm currently looking to buy new springs for my Widetrack Blob.
2. The Dampers you are using do not look like original KYBs, are they a generic replacement part?
2. KYB have finally released aftermarket widetrack front struts - in the US and Asia markets. Do you mean they are silver instead of black?
Last edited by 2pot; 29 January 2022 at 01:00 PM.
#28
1. They are Eibach-made WA/A2 front springs- linear spring rate from 15mm above ride height to coil bind. 10mm lower ride height than the Prodrive front 05-07 red sti springs and 5% stiffer.
2. KYB have finally released aftermarket widetrack front struts - in the US and Asia markets. Do you mean they are silver instead of black?
2. KYB have finally released aftermarket widetrack front struts - in the US and Asia markets. Do you mean they are silver instead of black?