Bilstein struts in Gen3 Outback

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 6:18 pm

So I have 270,000 kms on my Outback and the suspension is very tired so Im in the market for new struts and springs

Some used Bilsteins from a B4 have come up cheap and my plan is to fit them to my Outback but try to retain standard Outback height.

So far i think my 2 options are

1. Raised king springs to compensate for the normally lower ride height of the B4. But will raised springs on Bilsteins cause issues?

2. Buy a strut lift to compensate for the shorter Bilsteins?

What are your thoughts?

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:01 pm

Can't help on the lifted side but I picked up a set of $200 2nd hand Bilstiens for my Gen 2 and threw King lows at them, absolutely fantastic struts without an issue in the last 6yrs.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 10:54 am

What I need to know is will running raised springs in the Bilsteins which are designed for lower springs make them extend too much making it possible to fully extend when driving over say a pothole? Hard to explain but I dont want to limit my downwards travel by using too long springs

Post by **TOONGA** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 12:41 pm

The Bilsteins have a fixed amount of travel putting longer springs in them will cause spring bind and possible failure of the shock unit.

It would be easier to use struts / spacers above the shocks. I had a similar problem with the coil overs on the rear of my vortex. if I had put longer springs on them they would have been at full travel sitting normally on the ground. the shock spacers on the lift kit solved that problem.

TOONGA

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 2:13 pm

I thought that might be the case.
So it will be standard Liberty king springs and lift blocks to increase the height