305mouse

I bought my 03 in September with 126K miles on it. Everything is pretty much original. It now has 129K mils on it and I think sometime this Summer it'll be time to replace the suspension. I had a Saabaru that I did many different suspension setups on. Coilovers were great for autox, but as a DD, my back hated me after 20 minutes. I ended up having JDM STI pinks on OEM struts. Ride was responsive, but still a little too bumpy. I don't care it it ends up lowered a little or not and I know the ride and handling is more involded than just springs and struts. However, would I be better off just getting new OEM replacements or is there some nice aftermarket stuff out there for comfort?

NanuSTi

I just installed Tokico DSpecs adjustable shocks, on soft settings they are comfortable for daily driving...

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08 FXT WRB 5MT

Wessneroo

D-Specs and OEM STi springs are "sporty comfortable." If you want the absolute most comfortable, go OEM Forester. Depends on what you find comfortable. When you hit a bump, do you like the chassis to wallow around for a few seconds, or would you rather have a firm pop and get it over with?

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-Matt
'06 FXT Limited 4EAT CGM - "Roo II"

305mouse

Thread Starter

With the jdm pink springs, I liked how it wasn't bouncy but it felt just a bit harsh. A lot better than the coilovers, but on long drives it wasn't great. I wouldn't mind it for me, but when we take trips we'll take the Forester now and my wife is more sensitive to that than I am. Trying to make a happy wife :)

pleiad7

Paging stan_t!

Seriously, Stan has been on this quest before, and there is hardly a setup he didn't try while he had his Forester.

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-Silke
04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed"
98 Forester S ~ "Slynki"

stan_t

I doubt Forester will feel the same on JDM Pinks as the Impreza did. They will also pretty much require a Roll Center Adjustment kit to be installed. They were probably my favorite Impreza fitment springs, though.

If you want comfort with some sportiness, Swift Forester over stock struts is pretty much it, unless you want to spend the money on Mann Engineering coilovers. The rest will not be comfortable. If your roads are smooth you can get away with more, but if you have to deal with any type of potholes on daily basis, you will notice it.

Stan

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Shocks > struts.

pleiad7

^^ LOL, and there he is!

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-Silke
04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed"
98 Forester S ~ "Slynki"

stan_t

How are the roads where you are and what's your budget? Your OEM struts are most likely toast if they are original, so keep that in mind.

I pick a damper and build around that. D-specs seem to be a good choice, but before you get into the Impreza-fitment world, read up on what's involved -- Forester is not an Impreza.

Stan

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Shocks > struts.

dave5358

Shot struts are just that - shot. They need replacing. There is no amount of fixing or changing that will make them better.

Stan_T suggested Swift springs with OEM struts - good combination which will lower the vehicle about 1". This combination lowers the vehicle but pretty much keeps the OEM Forester ride.

Another possibility is WRX wagon springs with Kyb Struts (struts spec'd for the WRX). This combination will be even softer (and slightly lower) than the Swift/OEM combination. I like this pairing but opinions vary. Basically, this combination turns your stiff SUV into a not-as-stiff wagon.

All of the above is bolt-on, direct fit, etc. Have the alignment checked after you're done, but you may be surprised that things are still in align.

305mouse

Thread Starter

My roads are pretty smooth for the most part. A road I travel on daily has a nice little dip, but nothing major. My struts don't seem bad, but I have looked at them and believe they are original. That started this thread, knowing I'll be replacing them this Spring/Summer. I was going to replace the RSB, but then read about the mounts and everything, I think I'm just gonna leave the OEM bar there.

So Swift Forester springs over OEM struts, Is this softer than stock? I still want it to be responsive, but I can do other things as well to help that. WRX Wagon Springs over KYB wagon struts will be softer than the Swift OEM strut combo? Will OEM struts be costly or is there a good aftermarket OEM replacement?

Wessneroo

Swifts lower 1.0 - 1.5", stiffen the ride slightly, improve the handling, and maintain the travel your car was designed to have. IMHO, WRX springs are way too soft for the Forester and the handling wouldn't be so great. Your mileage may vary...

The RSB shouldn't be that complicated. If you go with Swifts, just throw an STi or aftermarket Whiteline RSB on there. No need to change mounts or endlinks unless you really want to. Swifts on OEM struts are stiffer than stock. WRX wagon springs on WRX wagon struts will be softer than Swifts - too soft.

OEM struts are a bit pricey. Check out KYB Excel-G (GR-2 replacement) struts. They are just a bit stiffer than stock struts and should be valved nicely for Swifts.

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-Matt
'06 FXT Limited 4EAT CGM - "Roo II"

stan_t

Swifts are not softer than stock.

For front bar nothing is needed except for the bar and bushings. Stock brackets are used to hold it in place, and stock endlinks will be just fine. It is very much worth upgrading IMO.

EDIT: sorry, I read "front" and you meant "rear" bar. For the rear STi fitment bar you will need STi mounts, I think they are $40 brand new.

Stan

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Shocks > struts.

305mouse

Thread Starter

Slightly off topic, what are you're opinions about changing just endlinks and not the sway bars? When I did the Saabaru I was shocked it was just a thick hardened rubber piece. I did get a clunking up front though with the endlinks.

Anyhow, Seems like OEM struts or KYB. Any info on the Subaru Forester pink CS springs?

Wessneroo

My opinion is leave the fronts stock, and an upgraded rear endlink gets the most out of an aftermarket sway bar, but probably wouldn't do too much for the stock bar.

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-Matt
'06 FXT Limited 4EAT CGM - "Roo II"

pleiad7

If the rear sway on the 03 is the same as on the 04 XT, then it's a hollow 17mm - hollow being the operative term here. Aftermarket endlinks that are in and of itself stiffer than the stockers are not going to have the effect they should while you still have a bar with that much flex.

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-Silke
04 FXT PP PSM ~ "Subed"
98 Forester S ~ "Slynki"