[Rev]

Haven't seen a thread around here with installation pics for the STi pink
springs on an STi, so I'll post some pics and add some interesting notes during the install

This is the installation procedure I referred when doing mine, slight differences
on the rear. Front is basically the same:
http://www.deepstaged.net/wrxhnr.htm

Do one end of the car at a time. If you're doing the front, jack front left and right.
If you're doing the rear first, again, jack left and right rear.

It's impossible to do the install by jacking one side only.

Mark the upper bolts in the strut with some paint, those are your camber bolts.

For removing the front 19mm strut bolts, I used a 19mm impact socket and a 24in. breaker
bar (1/2" drive). Hold the 19mm nut on the opposite side with a box wrench.

Tightening torque for the 12mm strut top bolts
20 N·m (2.0 kgf-m, 14.5 ft-lb)

Tightening torque for the front 19mm strut bolts:
175 N·m (17.8 kgf-m, 129 ft-lb)

Tightening torque for the top 17mm strut bolt
55 N·m (5.6 kgf-m, 41 ft-lb)

Tightening torque for ABS speed sensor bracket:
33 N·m (3.4 kgf-m, 24.3 ft-lb)

Tightening torque for brake line bolt to bracket:
32 N·m (3.3 kgf-m, 23.6 ft-lb)

Lots of PB Blaster, letting it soak for 10-15 minutes did the trick.

Front stock spring with the red KYB strut on spring compressors:


Using a 17mm open ended socket wrench with an Allen wrench did the trick


Front strut and stock spring dissasembled:


Comparing the STi pink and the stock springs and strut tops:
Notice the slight difference in height:

STi pink and GroupN hardened mount on the left, stock on the right.

[Rev]

Then I placed the new pink spring in the strut, take note from the pic below
how does the spring align with the bottom of the strut:


Then I compressed the new spring. Make sure you compress the spring evenly from both
sides, otherwise you'll have issues aligning the top of the strut with the strut tops and the perch:


Putting back the upper spring perch and washer:


Front strut completed with new spring. Take care as to align the three holes of the upper
spring perch towards the outside of the strut (where the bolts are):

[Rev]

Now for the rear... Prepare for battle

Tightening torque for the rear 12mm strut top bolts:
20 N·m (2.0 kgf-m, 14.5 ft-lb)

Tightening torque for rear 19mm strut bolts:
200 N·m (20.0 kgf-m, 145 ft-lb)

Remove the rear seat, and before removing the strut, loosen up the rear strut top bolts NOW THAT THE STRUTS ARE IN PLACE. Use a 17mm socket and a breaker bar to loosen it up.


Jack up the rear, remove the wheels, and soak those bolts with PB Blaster.
Let the penetrating fluid soak up for at least an hour. Those rear bolts are a PITA to
remove, but with some tricks you can do it without air tools


I used a 24inch long breaker bar with a long ass 19mm socket, and a footlong steel pipe attached to the breaker bar handle, as a cheater bar. Works perfectly, just enough leverage to break something like 300lb-ft or more


At last, those damn bolts come out:

[Rev]

Now that you've removed the strut bolts, the strut is hanging from the strut top nuts, remove them carefully and hold the strut to keep it from falling:


Rear strut removed, dirty as hell:


You don't need a spring compressor for the removing the rear springs, really.

This is a comparison between the rear STi pink spring and GroupN mount, and stock stuff:


Assembly is a piece of cake, easier than the front, make sure the "4WD OUT" marking on
the strut mount points to the outside of the strut, this is how it looks installed
with the new STi spring and the GroupN mount:


Install the strut, following the instructions in the first post. Pics of the strut in place:



Tighten the strut top bolt once the strut is fully installed, it's easier that way.

Wash, rinse, and repeat for the other side

[Rev]

Tighten the strut top nuts carefully, put the seat back in place.

Enjoy.

Before

After

[Rev]

Comments, corrections, tips, ideas, suggestions, all welcome

[cnstman]

looks good!!! off topic but what brake lines do you have on the back? same on the front?

[Pirana]

cool report.....thank God I have airtools, it took me just 45 minutes to do the front and rear. :wink:

[Rev]

Originally Posted by cnstman

looks good!!! off topic but what brake lines do you have on the back? same on the front?

Yeps, Goodridge coated. I wanted red to match the struts

[Rev]

Originally Posted by Pirana

cool report.....thank God I have airtools, it took me just 45 minutes to do the front and rear. :wink:

You bet! At first I couldn't get those #&*@ rear bolts. Got the pipe and the long 19mm socket and then they came out like butta

[cnstman]

nice! they look close

[bekster43]

drive it for a couple a weeks and the springs will seat properly. once its done, take it to the alignment shop and get it aligned.

[ERacer]

How about some torque spec's besides the strut mount.

[Rev]

OK ... I'll add those later. Thanks

[salaki]

Mod,

Can you make this sticky?
Scoobymods is not free anymore.