Raising a lowered Legacy?

[SuperSub]

I have a legacy that had air suspension. It was removed due to cost to replace.

The replacement is lowered, the tow bar bottoms out on some drives etc.

I was told its coils over mchpherson struts.

My question is, and please excuse my ignorance and noobness. What will be the cheapest way to get it back to either original height or preferably 2" above original height?

I dont have anywhere I can work on the car right now so its going to have to be a mechanic who does it, but was hoping if I source the parts it might be cheaper.

We would like to be able to take it on the sand like Muriwai or 90 mile etc.

[Kiwi_Fozze]

new springs at standard height should get you a bit more clearance.

if you wanted a bit of a lift, you might be lucky enough to get hold of some outback springs + struts, same mounts as the legacy but a little taller iirc

[ADIKT]

As kiwi fozze said. Buy a set of second hand shocks and springs from the same model legacy and you\'ll be sweet

More info about your car? I got a legacy bagged about 5 years ago

[Joker]

apart from the "sell it to a stance guy and buy a proper one" answer, I\'d say any outback suspension from the same year/model?

[DacerX]

outback suspension is what you want. its about 40-60mm heigher than stock and will bolt in front and rear, well it should depending on what model you have. There arent that many legacy models with air suspension.....from memory its like one brighton model and some randome VZR BG thing. I dont think that sedans got it but its a setup that is knowing to break

[Scoobydoo]

COntact Strong for Subaru, see if they have anything suitable. They have plenty of factory stuff, but if you want something raised, then you will need to inquire.

[DRFVDR]

 DacerX said:

outback suspension is what you want. its about 40-60mm heigher than stock and will bolt in front and rear, well it should depending on what model you have. There arent that many legacy models with air suspension.....from memory its like one brighton model and some randome VZR BG thing. I dont think that sedans got it but its a setup that is knowing to break

and only pre about ,93/94 they then realised that factory air setups were/are shit

[Roo]

The soarer guys love them they just pull the fuse

[SuperSub]

Its a 97 250t, with the suspension and diff lock buttons on the console.

Someone else mentioned outback suspension is a bolt on job. Where could I source these from and how much would be too much to pay?

Also how much labour should I expect from the mechanic?

Thanks guys, its been an awesome forum to join.

[ADIKT]

 SuperSub said:

Its a 97 250t, with the suspension and diff lock buttons on the console.

Someone else mentioned outback suspension is a bolt on job. Where could I source these from and how much would be too much to pay?

Also how much labour should I expect from the mechanic?

Thanks guys, its been an awesome forum to join.

Contact Strong for Subaru. Tell them what car you have and you want the suspension out of the same year outback.

Cant imagine it would be to expensive to swap over

Good luck!

[SuperSub]

Cheers, much appreciated. Should I keep the mcphersons and coils and hock em on trademe or they not worth much?

[Kiwi_Fozze]

always worth something to someone. especially lowered stuff, someone somewhere will be looking for a deal

[SuperSub]

cheers for that, you think strong for might do me a trade? i believe these were brand new when put in. also do strong have a mechanic or they just parts?

much karma to you folk for helping me out.

[Kiwi_Fozze]

just parts, but the swap is quite simple if you are mechanically inclined

[ADIKT]

Flick them on trademe. Someone will like them.

Try remember to take a photo of how the car sits with them in. They will sell faster with an actual photo

[Kiwi_Fozze]

 ADIKT said:

Try remember to take a photo of how the car sits with them in. They will sell faster with an actual photo

this, and by all means this.

[SuperSub]

yeah id have no problem doing it myself except my landlord wont even let me work on the car in the driveway thats why i gotta get a mech to do it :-(

good idea about the photo. funnily the car sits flush to the road but makes it look like the rear is a bit more slammed than the front if that makes sense.

[ADIKT]

Take it somewhere flat like a gas stations and take a few snaps. That\'s what I\'d do

[Kiwi_Fozze]

I\'m sure there are a few guys around that\'d offer driveway space etc...

[SuperSub]

well i could take it to my aunts down south for the day.

exactly how hard would it be to do and will i need specialist tools?

u guys are helpful and motivating, i love my subaru, ive had a lot of new cars but this wagon is by far my favorite.

[Kiwi_Fozze]

Prob a 19,17,12 and 14mm socket and spanner, torque wrench is advisable but not required. Jack stands and a good jack.

Pliers, and maybe a flat blade screw driver, assuming your struts have clip in brake lines

[ADIKT]

 kwi_fozze said:

Prob a 19,17,12 and 14mm socket and spanner, torque wrench is advisable but not required. Jack stands and a good jack.

You might need a breaker bar aswell

Also a box of beer helps

[SuperSub]

thanks guys, got all that fear except a torque wrench and jack stands, which i think i can hire. i was thinking a metal pipe instead of the breaker bar, but the breaker bar will work better.

i guess ill need a service manual too?

ill leave the beer for when ive finished haha

much appreciated.

[Marky]

Dont get too stressed, its about 8 bolts per strut max and can be done pretty quickly if you\'re mechanically minded

You can\'t really fck it up, dont need a manual - just google for a DIY guide. No doubt a dozen people have done it and posted online with photos somewhere

[SuperSub]

Sounds pretty easy then, Im fairly mechanical but more so with motorbikes.

Thanks all :-)