Newage STI struts in 03 Blob Wagon - camber issue
16 January 2015, 12:03 PM
#1
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Newage STI struts in 03 Blob Wagon - camber issue
Hi All, perhaps someone could clarify this...
Bought a set Newage STI struts and springs to fit to my 03 Wrx wagon - rear shock was knackered and needed changing.
So, removed originals (standard WRX items) and installed the replacement STI units. I took the car for a geometry check and had issues with the front camber.
I marked the bolt orientation from the original struts, and installed as close to that as i could get on the replacement ones. However, I can get only 0.5deg neg camber on the NS, and 0 deg on the OS, despite using all the available adjustment in the OE bolts as well as taking up play when tightening.
What I've since read is that the saloons have different track, so would the hole position in the dampers be different to allow for the same range of adjustment? In which case, will a camber bolt kit from either Whiteline or Eibach give me the extra neg camber I'm after. I don't track the car, just enjoy some spirited driving, so would 1.5 deg neg maximum suffice?
Also, bushes are all standard items (I had wondered about play in bushes causing this but from what ive found it seems the dampers are the culprit here)
Advice welcomed,
Cheers
Bought a set Newage STI struts and springs to fit to my 03 Wrx wagon - rear shock was knackered and needed changing.
So, removed originals (standard WRX items) and installed the replacement STI units. I took the car for a geometry check and had issues with the front camber.
I marked the bolt orientation from the original struts, and installed as close to that as i could get on the replacement ones. However, I can get only 0.5deg neg camber on the NS, and 0 deg on the OS, despite using all the available adjustment in the OE bolts as well as taking up play when tightening.
What I've since read is that the saloons have different track, so would the hole position in the dampers be different to allow for the same range of adjustment? In which case, will a camber bolt kit from either Whiteline or Eibach give me the extra neg camber I'm after. I don't track the car, just enjoy some spirited driving, so would 1.5 deg neg maximum suffice?
Also, bushes are all standard items (I had wondered about play in bushes causing this but from what ive found it seems the dampers are the culprit here)
Advice welcomed,
Cheers
16 January 2015, 10:11 PM
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There is one main difference between saloon and wagon front struts, the bottom 2 bolt bracket is wider by about 10mm on the saloon to account for the wider track. If you fit saloon shocks to a wagon, according to the US forums you with lose 1/2deg of neg camber, but if you fit wagon struts to saloon you gain similar amount. So it isn't recommend to fit saloon specific struts to wagon on this basis.
Wagon KYB Excel-G on left, saloon on right...
You can buy Wagon specific STi struts but they're for the Bug which is the last STi wagon. Hope this helps
Wagon KYB Excel-G on left, saloon on right...
You can buy Wagon specific STi struts but they're for the Bug which is the last STi wagon. Hope this helps
16 January 2015, 10:20 PM
#3
Hi All, perhaps someone could clarify this...
Bought a set Newage STI struts and springs to fit to my 03 Wrx wagon - rear shock was knackered and needed changing.
So, removed originals (standard WRX items) and installed the replacement STI units. I took the car for a geometry check and had issues with the front camber.
I marked the bolt orientation from the original struts, and installed as close to that as i could get on the replacement ones. However, I can get only 0.5deg neg camber on the NS, and 0 deg on the OS, despite using all the available adjustment in the OE bolts as well as taking up play when tightening.
What I've since read is that the saloons have different track, so would the hole position in the dampers be different to allow for the same range of adjustment? In which case, will a camber bolt kit from either Whiteline or Eibach give me the extra neg camber I'm after. I don't track the car, just enjoy some spirited driving, so would 1.5 deg neg maximum suffice?
Also, bushes are all standard items (I had wondered about play in bushes causing this but from what ive found it seems the dampers are the culprit here)
Advice welcomed,
Cheers
Bought a set Newage STI struts and springs to fit to my 03 Wrx wagon - rear shock was knackered and needed changing.
So, removed originals (standard WRX items) and installed the replacement STI units. I took the car for a geometry check and had issues with the front camber.
I marked the bolt orientation from the original struts, and installed as close to that as i could get on the replacement ones. However, I can get only 0.5deg neg camber on the NS, and 0 deg on the OS, despite using all the available adjustment in the OE bolts as well as taking up play when tightening.
What I've since read is that the saloons have different track, so would the hole position in the dampers be different to allow for the same range of adjustment? In which case, will a camber bolt kit from either Whiteline or Eibach give me the extra neg camber I'm after. I don't track the car, just enjoy some spirited driving, so would 1.5 deg neg maximum suffice?
Also, bushes are all standard items (I had wondered about play in bushes causing this but from what ive found it seems the dampers are the culprit here)
Advice welcomed,
Cheers
Are the STi struts inverted and the WRX normal?
I have a thought in my head about this.
16 January 2015, 10:26 PM
#4
There is one main difference between saloon and wagon front struts, the bottom 2 bolt bracket is wider by about 10mm on the saloon to account for the wider track. If you fit saloon shocks to a wagon, according to the US forums you with lose 1/2deg of neg camber, but if you fit wagon struts to saloon you gain similar amount. So it isn't recommend to fit saloon specific struts to wagon on this basis.
Wagon KYB Excel-G on left, saloon on right...
You can buy Wagon specific STi struts but they're for the Bug which is the last STi wagon. Hope this helps
Wagon KYB Excel-G on left, saloon on right...
You can buy Wagon specific STi struts but they're for the Bug which is the last STi wagon. Hope this helps
I fitted STi JDM Struts and red springs to my UK Bug wagon without any issues, I did have to change the rear top mounts to Blob saloon ones.
19 January 2015, 09:31 AM
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Thanks for the replies guys.
Ok, in hindsight I should have been more thorough before purchasing...
These are, as far as i know UK STI newage (non-wide track) struts, OE subaru red struts on the front, and KYB Ultra SRs on the rear, standard top mounts and springs.
Modrich - Thanks - the strut hole position makes sense from your comments as well as research as to why I've lost neg camber and couldn't gain any more.
Trooper - I'd have to check on the inverted question, i was so focused on trying to get the old ones off and replacement ones in at the time that i didn't check
In this case, would the aftermarket camber bolts be a reasonable solution - I don't need track biased neg camber, but some would be good! Or do i have to look at changing struts or bottom arms?
Another question then, are the rear top mounts for saloon different? i.e. do they have a different strut offset resulting in different camber or ride height or are they the same? They fitted up with no issues as well.
Appreciate all the help
Ok, in hindsight I should have been more thorough before purchasing...
These are, as far as i know UK STI newage (non-wide track) struts, OE subaru red struts on the front, and KYB Ultra SRs on the rear, standard top mounts and springs.
Modrich - Thanks - the strut hole position makes sense from your comments as well as research as to why I've lost neg camber and couldn't gain any more.
Trooper - I'd have to check on the inverted question, i was so focused on trying to get the old ones off and replacement ones in at the time that i didn't check
In this case, would the aftermarket camber bolts be a reasonable solution - I don't need track biased neg camber, but some would be good! Or do i have to look at changing struts or bottom arms?
Another question then, are the rear top mounts for saloon different? i.e. do they have a different strut offset resulting in different camber or ride height or are they the same? They fitted up with no issues as well.
Appreciate all the help
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