2005-2009 Outback Suspension FAQ

[Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Impatient

For the front:
Stock: allegedly not too bad
KYB 339098 -99 somewhat stiffer, I don't know specs
KYB 00-04: even stiffer (at least is 1 direction), different dimensions???
KYB 334374-75 non USDM: supposedly 70% in stiffness (which direction???)

Just to make this relatively clear: KYB's catalog (downloadable from their website) lists three sets of GR-2s that might fit a US '05-09 Outback:

KYB 334275/334276, for '00-02 Outback
KYB 334447/334448, for '03-04 Outback
KYB 339098/339099, for '05-09 Outback

I'm not sure if the '00-04 front struts will fit a '05-09, but I think somebody somewhere mentioned that they do.

I also don't have any idea of damping rates for any of these, though I've seen some second hand information and speculation in other threads.

My current research project is figuring out what struts to put in the front of my car...

Bimmer

[Boulderguy]

The 04 KYB spec fronts do fit 05-09, MoPower used those along with the rears but mentioned they felt too damped, as in too rough, and stated that if he could do it again he'd use the 05 fronts & 04 rears. I took his advice & the results have been excellent.

I did the LGT swap back in 05, I may have been the first? The alignment numbers were acceptable - Front camber was -.3/-1, front toe was -.3 on both sides, caster was 6.5. Rear camber was -2, toe was about .8 on both.

Compared to stock ranges the front toe was about .2 out & it led to some scrubbing I think. The camber & caster numbers were well out of range but were welcome, they improved road feel quite a bit.

[Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Boulderguy

The 04 KYB spec fronts do fit 05-09, MoPower used those along with the rears but mentioned they felt too damped, as in too rough, and stated that if he could do it again he'd use the 05 fronts & 04 rears. I took his advice & the results have been excellent.

I don't want to hijack the FAQ thread here, but just to be clear:

You would say that the '05-09-spec KYB GR-2s for the front were an improvement over the OEM front struts?

I'm tempted to think that the more damping, the better (I can hardly imagine the Outback's ride becoming too harsh), but I do remember MoPower complaining about the ride quality with the '00-04 spec KYBs.

Bimmer

[Seabass]

According to KYB, for the GR2 struts, they increase both compression and rebound by 15% over stock. So at the very least, the 05 GR2s would be a bit stiffer than stock.

I don't think its a hijack if you are asking a FAQ.

[phatvw]

Not a hijack. The first few posts will collect, distill, and organize the info - the rest of the thread will serve as discussion.


Right before the 30 days editable expiration runs out I'll post another "placeholder" and link the first post to it so folks can traverse through the distilled info easily. Plus we can always get mods to clean up the thread after the info has been incorporated into the main posts to everyone's satisfaction.

[Seabass]

Originally Posted by Boulderguy

I did the LGT swap back in 05, I may have been the first? The alignment numbers were acceptable - Front camber was -.3/-1, front toe was -.3 on both sides, caster was 6.5. Rear camber was -2, toe was about .8 on both.

Is that supposed to be a -1 or a -.1? That's a big difference left to right. Did the -2deg of camber in back cause inner tire wear?

[Boulderguy]

Originally Posted by Seabass

Is that supposed to be a -1 or a -.1? That's a big difference left to right. Did the -2deg of camber in back cause inner tire wear?

-1, but I've always had a significant difference between those two since birth, go figure. And no significant tire wear issues from the tall camber numbers.

Bimmer, yes, I would say they're a significant improvement. And I'd say it feels right relative to the rear.

[Impatient]

To clarify, you have bone stock springs, but 04- rear GR2's and 05+ front, correct? Any swaybar upgrades?

[Boulderguy]

Correct. I also have a Cobb adj. rear sway (soft setting) and offset front LCA caster bushings, that's it. Oh and endlinks but that's not exactly a performance upgrade.

[barry1956]

Originally Posted by Boulderguy

Correct. I also have a Cobb adj. rear sway (soft setting) and offset front LCA caster bushings, that's it. Oh and endlinks but that's not exactly a performance upgrade.

Do the front caster bushings have any impact on camber?