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?

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and knowledge. GD, I know parts support for these vehicles is dwindling, but I feel their uniqueness is part of why they're so cool and why I'm inspired to keep mine. The car is a bit of a hobby for me, not so much something I rely on for a living. ferp420, that is interesting about the 300zx and superbeetle, thanks for the info. I do believe the Sachs numbers I listed are for 4wd unless I'm mistaken. I currently have Ford Tempo springs in my car (with an ej22) and they are a little too stiff for wheeling, but great for street use. I'm going back to stock for the flex and comfort. I wouldn't be opposed to slightly higher damping rates, though. I hope this thread can lead to a discussion (maybe inspiring other threads of the future!) for alternative parts that could keep our cars going, just like conversation on the 4runner struts from Loyale 2.7 Turbo. I'll probably just get the Sachs parts if nothing else bubbles to the surface, but let's kick it off with this: I know that the Ford Transit Connects use the same style strut. There are two generations: 2010-2013 and 2014-present. I have access to the latter. I'll take some measurements and compare some numbers and post back here.

I don't mind softer for a nice squishy ride on rough roads. I think I'll go back to stock springs to help with that so maybe the softer strut will be ok.

All that sounds about like what I remember seeing. KYB was available, then only Monroe, then nothing for a little while. Now Sachs seems to be the only thing available.

Can anyone speak to the differences in compression/rebound damping and quality between the KYB GR-2 series and the Sachs struts that are available for these cars?

Here's a pic of the bushing plus better, bigger spacers.

No worries, I'm just looking for new part numbers in this thread so we can all change our struts in the FUTURE! I don't want to go 4-runner rear struts mod (which has a lot of candidates) because I want to keep it really soft and retain 6" travel.

Hi Dave, Thanks for that beta.That's a crazy failure on an automotive shock. Sounds like a blown internal seal that allowed fluid to stack up on the wrong side of the chamber. I've changed struts many times with the spring compressors you mention and am always a little gun-shy. I've also used really expensive wall mounted compressors that are sooo easy to use but are only reasonable in a professional shop. I can confirm that I've had a similar experience with being able to compress the springs enough to get the strut mount on. Nothing new, there. The 1" different could be for a lot of reasons, but it wouldn't bother me. We're 4-wheeling this thing, mostly. What did you use for the rear struts?

So far here's what options I've found and the cheapest prices on a quick google deep dive. I'd like to keep the stock options since they retain the most travel with my SJR lift and stock springs. This vehicle is getting a lot of bumpy Colorado 4x4 roads with some mild wheeling that gets 1 wheel off the ground occasionally. Sachs Front: 031173 (Amazon $58.95, Rockauto $64.99) 031172 (Amazon $77.41, Rockauto is out of stock) Sachs Rear: 031066 (Rockauto $51.79) 031066 (Rockauto $51.79) KYB Front: ??? Can't find any current information... KYB Rear: 341065 (Amazon $52, Rockauto $38.99) 341065 (Amazon $52, Rockauto $38.99) I've kind of lost faith in KYB's quality over a few past experiences. What would you go with? Is the Sachs rear really worth $12 more? Which is better suspension? My knowledge and experience are out of date. I thought Sachs used to be really good quality, but I have no idea, now.

Well, it's nearing the end of 2022 and there aren't as many options for struts on these vehicles anymore. Can anyone provide options for quality damping for my GL? I just replaced struts on my Ford Transit Connect with bilstiens B6 series and love them. Also did Bilstiens B4's and Old Man Emu on my '86 Toyota pickup. I would love that quality for the GL, but the options seem to be slim. Part numbers and experience are preferred.

Just following up on how this had held up. I casted the center bearing with the stuff GD linked to (Smooth-On Vytaflex 60 Urethane). It worked great! I've 4wheeled it and have driven it for a while and I'm very happy. If I were to make any other type of Urethane bushings I would use a more hard durometer like 80 or more, but for this center bearing it is perfect. Also, I made proper spacers for the mount to the body.