[Turninconcepts.com]

2008 Whiiteline Front Lower Brace (KSB723)


Install and Impressions
The 2008 Impreza did not come with a front subframe. While this does reduce weight it also allow the lower suspension mounts to flex in relation to each other. This flex or deflection means that all the points where the suspension arms bolt up are moving about under strenuous load. This movement is a bad thing as it detracts from the handling of your car.
Hey, if you wanted soft and sloppy you would have bought a Camry. Fix your car, and make it handle razor sharp. To get there you need this.
Install
Tools Needed: 17 & 19mm sockets, ratchet, 17mm box wrench
Install Time: 15 minutes
This is a very easy install that only requires the removal of two bolts and two nuts. It can be performed easily on jack stands in a few minutes.
Start by loosening the front 17mm hex head bolts that run through the front mounting point on the front lower control arm. There is a 17mm nut on the other side of the bolt head that will need to be held with a wrench. Remove these two bolts. The control arms should not move very much at all.

Next, remove the two 19mm nuts on the rear end of the front control arm.

Once the nuts and bolts are removed, fit the brace into place. Hand thread the rear nuts into place, then insert the front bolts through the brace and lower control arm mounting point.


Tighten all bolts to around 80 ftlbs. That’s it!! Enjoy the new stiffness.


Impressions
The front end definitely feels tighter over bumps than it did before. This was to be expected as a similar difference could be felt when removing and readding the U brace on the older chasis. More to come as we get more miles on the car with the brace.

[caveguru]

I'm thinking this mod would be more educational once you have the WL ALK bushings installed- the front LCA mounts are somewhat tied together by the engine subframe, but the rears look like they will flex once they get properly loaded by the ALK. Of course with only 4 bolts, its an easy test to do once the ALK is in...

Frank

[sutter2k]

No extra creaking introduced when loading one side over a speed bump or such?

[Turninconcepts.com]

Originally Posted by sutter2k

No extra creaking introduced when loading one side over a speed bump or such?

Nope. None that we can hear.

[caveguru]

Guys, bumping this for more feedback on the affect of this brace, particularly on steering feel. Have you tried removing it and reinstalling it yet while testing for the difference in feel?

Frank

[Turninconcepts.com]

Not yet. I will be in there soon though so I may.