idosubaru Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 2002 H6 Outback auto Rear drivers side was *really* low, tire was rubbing lightly until we shifted some weight more to the other side. It did come back up a little as we took weight out of the car. 2 adults and some gear in the back - 500 pounds maybe. And now is up a bit (not sure if it's normal or not) now that it's unloaded. The rear struts are new KYB GR-2's. I didn't replace the springs as it seemed many folks don't. Rear spring seems fine on visual inspection. Guess it looks like I should have replaced the rear springs too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idasho Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Struts dont hold the car up. Thats for the springs to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster2 Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Struts dont hold the car up. Thats for the springs to do. Yea, I too am thinking you have a bad spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 Springs hold the weight, struts control the weight. It's possible the spring on that side broke. That's pretty common on rust belt cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 okay, great, thanks guys. i'll order new springs. looks like 04-05 baja springs are stiffer and give some lift and increased stiffness for carrying loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 I'd check the rear crossmember before buying springs. Even with the springs gone, the tires shouldn't be able to rub on anything. If the crossmember is failing, the control arms/links can move enough to let the tires start rubbing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 20, 2012 Author Share Posted August 20, 2012 wow that's nuts - where would that happen? not much rust to speak of but i'll definitely check tonight. ordered stiff 2005 Baja Turbo rear springs that are supposed to stiffen the ride and lift the rear 0.5" - 1". part number: 20380AE50A luckily i have another H6 Outback to install them on if this one has something more ominous going on!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted August 20, 2012 Share Posted August 20, 2012 that bolt at the bottom of the strut was intact? seems like a lot of drop just for a saggy spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 The Baja rear springs will actually lift the back end about 3/4" so be prepared for a nice rake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 The Baja rear springs will actually lift the back end about 3/4" so be prepared for a nice rake!it'll match FWD coil converted XT6's nicely....at 200,000 the fronts are original OEM so i'll be doing struts/springs there and bring it back up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstone Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 I replaced my springs and struts two summers ago with KYB GR-2 and OE springs. It was a good thing I did as one of the springs was cracked and broken! I gained about 2 inches of height after doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 one of the springs was cracked and broken!was it still in tact and assembled on the car? mine appears "fine", i can pull and push it and nothing gives or croaks or makes noise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstone Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 was it still in tact and assembled on the car? mine appears "fine", i can pull and push it and nothing gives or croaks or makes noise. It was still fitted together but quickly fell apart when I removed the strut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted August 21, 2012 Author Share Posted August 21, 2012 It was still fitted together but quickly fell apart when I removed the strut.ah ha, i wonder if that's what will happen to mine. great, thanks. everything looks fine but something is definitely wrong - i think it's what you're describing, thanks a bunch! parts ordered a day or two ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fairtax4me Posted August 22, 2012 Share Posted August 22, 2012 Sometimes the broken piece can fall off and the rest can APPEAR to be fine. Broken springs are common enough that it's worth checking into. Especially if the car has ANY rust on it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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