Strut assembly/installation questions

[Body Roll]

The 04 STI springs have finally arrived and I have a ton of very basic
questions:

Do longer springs go in front or back of my 05 Impreza (OBS)?

How many new self locking nuts do I need for reassembly/installation of
the front and rear strut?
Are both of those nuts on each strut self locking? Impreza chassis
manual states:
"Install the strut to the housing with a new self locking nut". Just
one per strut?

I plan to take the struts off and take them to a shop to have them
taken apart since I don't
own a spring compressor. How many hours would they likely charge me per
strut?
Would they have the "strut mount socket" ST tool needed for the
disassembly?
Should I just buy a spring compressor and the ST tool or it's not worth
it for a one time lowering job?

I haven't seen any identification paint on my new STI springs off a on
the cursory look.
The purpose of those is to prevent morons like myself from installing
the springs upside down or what?

If I manage to mess up my struts somehow what are good aftermarket
struts? I like the ride to be on the firmer side.

There is no harm if I dial too much of negative camber while I'm
messing with the struts, right?
I'm thinking to dial 3 more notches on the camber adjustment bolt for
an extra -0 30'. The problem is that I don't have the adapter and two
gauges required for the camber measurement.

Thank you.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

The 04 STI springs have finally arrived and I have a ton of very basic
questions:

Do longer springs go in front or back of my 05 Impreza (OBS)?

How many new self locking nuts do I need for reassembly/installation of
the front and rear strut?
Are both of those nuts on each strut self locking? Impreza chassis
manual states:
"Install the strut to the housing with a new self locking nut". Just
one per strut?

I plan to take the struts off and take them to a shop to have them
taken apart since I don't
own a spring compressor. How many hours would they likely charge me per
strut?
Would they have the "strut mount socket" ST tool needed for the
disassembly?
Should I just buy a spring compressor and the ST tool or it's not worth
it for a one time lowering job?

I haven't seen any identification paint on my new STI springs off a on
the cursory look.
The purpose of those is to prevent morons like myself from installing
the springs upside down or what?

If I manage to mess up my struts somehow what are good aftermarket
struts? I like the ride to be on the firmer side.

There is no harm if I dial too much of negative camber while I'm
messing with the struts, right?
I'm thinking to dial 3 more notches on the camber adjustment bolt for
an extra -0 30'. The problem is that I don't have the adapter and two
gauges required for the camber measurement.

Thank you.

These might help with alignment;

http://www.highrpm.net/calvins/diy_alignments.html

http://www.tidewatersportscarclub.com/articles/align.html

This might help a little with the springs - looks like the rears could
be a coupla inches taller;

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2666

let usknow how it works out. I might have my indie mech put some SPTs or
Prodrives on my wagon later this year/early next year. You migh use some
PB Blaster or other penetrant on the bolts for a coupla days - I've
read they are can be difficult to breal loose with hand tools - even
with a 'cheater'. If you search around www.nasioc.com or www.usmb.net
you might find links with pics of the process.


Carl

 

[gbmanor]

Does anyone know how to set the clock on a 1996 Subaru? Lost my
owner's manual ages ago. Thanks!