Bent strut/perch Help Please.

Brad_Stacey · Post by **Brad_Stacey** » Sun Jun 03, 2012 6:49 pm

Hi All,

Hoping for some advice as this is the second time I've bent the rear passenger strut perch into the tyre.

The current set up I have in the Gen1 Liberty Sedan is SF Forester struts, 2in full lift, lift king springs front and lift pedders springs rear, 215 65 R16 tyres, rear sway bars removed, front and rear strut tower braces.

Last year we were on day 8 of 10 on the rally, and both rear struts were buggered by then, we hit a small but harsh washout across the country road doing 90-100km/hr.

Yesterday on a practice run with brand new struts went through a rough crossing in the grass, while braking to stop for a gate.

Both times have had to hammer up the spring perch to fit an old worn tyre in order to continue. Even so wore about 2mm out of the tread on the 180km back to camp.

I know the obvious fix is to drive slower, but in four weeks the Super starts and goes for 17days over 10,000km. So the unexpected could happen any day.

Some ideas/questions I have are:
-Smaller tyres ie. 215 60 R16
-Standard height rear springs
-outback struts have more clearance?
-coilovers (custom 50mm longer to remove lift blocks)
-remove rear strut brace.
-strengthen current kyb struts by welding gussets under spring perch

I have 4 weeks, thanks for reading and thanks in advance for your advice.

Brad.

littlewhiteute · Post by **littlewhiteute** » Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:52 pm

I think your rear springs are coil binding way early before the bump stop does it's job.

That's the only way you would bend a spring seat on a strut.

Or the spring rates are too heavy for the strut spring seats to cope.

Brad_Stacey · Post by **Brad_Stacey** » Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:40 pm

Thanks Littlewhiteute,

I think I'm going to go back to standard hight springs, the one less coil should help with the binding.
But also change to SG struts which will improve tyre clearance.
Should I keep SF top hats and use SF springs. Or go 100% SG?

Also any comments on brands being stronger than others?

Thanks.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 10:32 am

Why are you using forester gear?

Gen2 outback is the default way to go for lifting libs and doesnt give any trouble.

Another option is to use gen1 FWD resr struts. I can give you info on this.

Either will give you good spring seat - tyre clearance. It's a known issue with forester struts that the seat is too low on some models.

As someone else mentioned you also need to look at your bump stops and make sure they are fresh. I totally destroyed my original bump stops on my frist trip out west. I have since replaced them with good quality aftermarket ones and they have lasted well.

PM me if you are stuck and need more help.

Brad_Stacey · Post by **Brad_Stacey** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 5:35 pm

Well had time to get under the car today, as well as the spring perch the base of the strut is also bent.

Bugger.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:26 pm

There is a better word for it

Might be what is needed to run L Series brakes up front on MY !!

Brad_Stacey · Post by **Brad_Stacey** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 6:11 pm

Well installed new struts today.

A few things that I have noted between 1st Gen Forester and 2nd Gen Outback rear suspension.
- standard king springs are the same length 340mm, however Forester are 175lb, outbacks are 200lb.
- top and bottom spring diameter for Forester is 130mm, outbacks 134mm.
- piston diameter of kyb outback is about 3mm larger, main tube is about 6mm larger.
- top nut is the same though, and outback strut mates with forester top hat.
- as going into 1st Gen liberty sedan, I choose the lighter forester springs, the 4mm seems to just fit in the outback strut base.
- The travel is the same.
I measured my wheel arch to be 790mm with the Forester struts and pedders heavy duty springs prior to the change over on the good side.
After fitting the outback struts and king standard height spring, keeping forester top hats the height remained the same - 790mm.
The reduced spring lift was offset by increased tyre clearance. Note I have 2inch lift and 215 65R16 tyres.

I'm hoping that the the bigger outback struts might be stronger.
Also hope that the above will be useful to someone else.

Regards Brad.

PS Thanks Dane for your invaluable help, will shout you a beet one day

Davidov · Post by **Davidov** » Fri Jun 15, 2012 7:35 pm

I havent had an issue with my struts in my outback bendin:)g however i have two brand new struts have a perch collapse within a month! Pretty sure the solution would be to go std height springs and taller lift blocks which i will probably do.

vincentvega · Post by **vincentvega** » Sun Jun 17, 2012 8:43 am

no probs Brad. You can repay the favor by posting back here after the rally and letting us know how you go!