[SubieOutlaw]

During some of my recent trips I have noticed that when I have my dogs in the car there is a definite "sag" in the rear end. The total dog weight is 240 lbs plus other gear 150 lbs TOPS.

It also seems to bottom out going over speed bumps at relatively slow speeds. I hear a thump.

Is there a problem for the dealership to fix? if so, what do I say is the problem?

The rear suspension must be able to handle 400 lbs in the truck area???

Any advice and/or help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[dpm]

It's both undersprung and underdamped on 2009 Euro SLS models. It's worth noting that the springs and dampers are both recalibrated (different part numbers) for the 2010 model...

 

[SubieOutlaw]

WOW.

Could you dumb down your answer.

Can I adjust the springs and dampers??? ie: turn a screw?

 

[RAPTR]

WOW.

Could you dumb down your answer.

Can I adjust the springs and dampers??? ie: turn a screw?

Nope, but you can send in your dampeners to a shop that can re-valve them to your preferences. That slap you are getting while driving over the speed bumps is the car hitting the enormous bump stops.

 

[themathguy]

It's both undersprung and underdamped on 2009 Euro SLS models. It's worth noting that the springs and dampers are both recalibrated (different part numbers) for the 2010 model...

So, is it just the SLS suspension that's changed? Do you know if the normal suspension (non-SLS) changed at all between '09 and '10 also?

 

[dpm]

Dunno, just about all are SLS afaik.

 

[SubieOutlaw]

Nope, but you can send in your dampeners to a shop that can re-valve them to your preferences. That slap you are getting while driving over the speed bumps is the car hitting the enormous bump stops.

So there is nothing wrong?

 

[jkoppee]

I don't think it would hurt to bring it into the dealer with your dogs in the car and tell the service manager you want to take him for a ride and show him exactly what's going on and get his opinion.

 

[funkymonkey1002]

Isn't the entire payload capacity only about 900 lbs? The rear end WILL sag if you have weight in it, theres nothing you can do about that aside from run higher spring rates, but then if you don't have the weight in it will handle worse. However, the new rear suspension setup seems to lack travel that the old setup had, even on the wrx you can see it as aftermarket springs just have the car sitting on the bumpstops. I think a taller spring would help a lot, especially if it was a bit stiffer.

 

[jkoppee]

or just put one of the dogs in the front seat, or just let one of them drive...

 

[neuro123]

Yep... the 2009 Coil are too soft and they changed them for the 2010.

Nothing is wrong!

I still order some king springs(part # KSFS-55 KSRS-56) and subtle 1".

Haven't done the install yet...but will sure posts pictures when done.

 

[pleiad7]

or just put one of the dogs in the front seat, or just let one of them drive...

But they're terrible at parallel parking and always argue over the music selection! :wink:

 

[SubieOutlaw]

^ do not think the wife would like being in the back with one of the dogs.

 

[jkoppee]

^ do not think the wife would like being in the back with one of the dogs.

but would you mind it?

probably best if you didn't answer that publicly.

 

[dinoc]

Sorry to ask, but what does the "SLS" stand for ?

 

[pleiad7]

Self-leveling struts.

 

[Tuned200]

Steve, good luck. I have not noticed any suspension issues with our car yet. Then again, I have not packed it up for a camping trip yet either,.

 

[LouisBattista]

I am having problems with steering with a load in the rear

When I have my DJ equipment in the rear which is about 200 LPs my steering is all over the place at 60 - 65 MPH. It is really bad. This car is not really an SUV. Subaru will not do anything for me.

During some of my recent trips I have noticed that when I have my dogs in the car there is a definite "sag" in the rear end. The total dog weight is 240 lbs plus other gear 150 lbs TOPS.

It also seems to bottom out going over speed bumps at relatively slow speeds. I hear a thump.

Is there a problem for the dealership to fix? if so, what do I say is the problem?

The rear suspension must be able to handle 400 lbs in the truck area???

Any advice and/or help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[einy]

I agree with the above post. Last week, I had ~ 300 lbs of Ikea stuff in the back of my '10 X-Premium, and to say it was vastly under-damped while loaded up to even this small degree would be kind. Needless to say, I'm "in the market" for uprated dampers when the Koni's, Bilstein's, etc. of the world take an interest in this vehicle. (In fact, I offered up the use of my Forester just a few minutes ago to Koni, as I'm basically in the same geographical area that they do their R&D in ...)

As an aside (and yes, I did see the "sticky" that may address this), I did see that Koni offers front strut inserts (used in your OEM strut housings) p/n 8610 1453Sport and rear struts p/n 8010 1055Sport for the '08-'10 Impreza, including the WRX ... wonder if these would work in our '09-'10 Foresters ?!?!?!