kanurys

Well, the time is near to take on this project. I have a questions that hopefully you guys can answer. I may buy a rack for a newer outback (newer than EA82's) but I'm trying to figure out bushing measurements. Also, the side-by-side would be great to see input and bushing/line location differences. Can anyone compare where the bushings AND lines are located on the EA82 racks with EJ racks? Specific info about years/models would be appreciated. I'm hoping someone has those cars parked somewhere and can just run a tape measure on them...

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone. I know the legacy GT's have the fastest rack of the no totally new stuff. I'd be fine with any ratio, really. This isn't a sports car. Just a gravel grinder that can do some 4x4 stuff.

I might take another look at Gloyal's discussion at and try to get a used EJ rack since I have an EJ pump. It's good to know we have options.

Thanks. I might take a gamble on a remanufactured rack and see how it goes. We'll see what I can actually find.

I pulled the shaft, put the whole assembly vertically in my bench vise, taped off any cracks and openings in the torn rubber and poured poly urethane in that vertical position. I had one leak so things got a little messy, but it was slow enough that it cured before too much leaked out.

Does anyone have access to a late 90's Civic or their shocks so a measurement can be taken. This might be a good option if the diameter on the knuckle end can be verified. Also, what is the travel of these shocks?

Thanks for the offer. I currently have tempo springs on stock struts, but they're a little too stiff and limit flex which is bad in my particular use case. You might as well take some dimensions on the different struts you have a post here so folks can get some good hard info.

Thanks for everyone's input. I love the idea of inserts to adapt adjustable camber type assemblies to, but this idea also scares me a little. I thought of that a few years ago and abandoned it for that reason. I might entertain it again, though. It certainly would be an engineering project (design, test, iterate, fail, give up, start again). If anyone gets access to some Nissan Rouge struts please take a measurement and post back with the year, as well.

Just following up: The custom bushing is doing fine along with the drop brackets. I'd recommend going this before you need to so that the stock bushing never tears.

My steering rack has taken a beating over the years and now has a lot of slop on the driver's side. It also leaks fluid like crazy from that side (as expected with all that play). This car has a 4" suspension lift and 3" crossmember drop. We use it for mild 4wheeling locally. What is the best route to fix this? Replace the rack with a stock EA82 power steering rack? Is there some alternative rack that is a little stronger?

I think there are some BMW E30 series struts that are 45mm... not sure about their travel, but I bet it's not enough and the spring perch is probably not right.

I agree with azdave on changing to a better supported vehicle in the future. We have a 1986 Toyota Pickup that I just did OME and Bilstein suspension parts on and it is much more supported, stronger, less comfortable, heavier, can't turn as tight, front and high oriented center of gravity, etc... There are tradeoffs in everything but the main reason I like the GL is it's size and uniqueness. Hopefully we'll figure out a suspension solution that will keep them running for a little longer. At least until gas is becoming scarce Out here in the great South West we see a lot of new style 4 wheelers and trucks. So far none have appealed to me to replace what the GL can do. (not regarding safety, but 4 wheeling capabilities and feel). It would be cool to go electric some day, but at that point I might as well weld in some modern suspension, too, since one could ditch the whole transmission and low range.

Thanks I did a quick search and it looks like they're long gone. I saw rockauto had the front pair of sachs in stock for a few days, then one side is out of stock again. Does anyone know of any other cars with the same type of knukle to strut interface? So far Superbeetle and Ford Transit Connect (doesn't fit) have been metioned...

well, the 2016 Transit connect strut is 52mm wide, the 1987 GL is 45mm wide...

can you speak to any mods you had to do to get them to fit? (clearancing, widened bolt holes, shimming, spring fittment, etc...) How does the location of the spring perch differ from the stock height?