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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)
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Let us know when the dog show comes to DC. I love those frisbee competitions.
-juice
Pressing down on the rear bumper once causes it to bounce 3 times or so. But if I keep doing this, the struts start to do their damping adequately.
So I'm inclined to replace them, but I have no clue as to what to get. We don't do much off-road driving with the Forester, tho we do pull a tent-trailer with it a few times every summer.
Any recommendations would be appreciated. And is this really going to cost me $200 per wheel? Yikes!
Thanks
Drew
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Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
After the 3 trips to the dealer and one visit to a body shop for a frame alignment check we got it going straight. It took 3 things:
-equal air pressure in the front wheels a pound or two off can cause it to drift, this was also noted by someone in the posts around 1400.
-a very solid 4 wheel alignment
-1/2 turn on the tie rods to get the steering wheel straight
I am not sure if I am done yet as the tires look like they may be wearing funny. Currently I am only at about 3,500 miles so we can't tell for sure.
Other than the alignment issue and the engine idling rough this is a great car.
Steve
Compared to the "S" stock, which is 215/60R16 (nominal 26.1") in the US, there appear to be three (or more) options for serious performance-oriented up-sizing:
a) P225/55R17 26.7", +2.2% (same as Audi Allroad)
b) P235/55R17 or 27.2", +3.9%
c) P235/60R16 27.1", +3.8% (popular option for the RAV4)
None of the above should be an issue with regard to diameter, although width may come in (see below). They all have their own characteristics, but just to throw it out there, on a 7" wheel, the P235/55R17 has more protective bulging than stock, and has the same side wall height
Questions I have:
- do 235's fit the Forester, at all? With elevating springs?
- I would prefer to have much of the increased width to the outside, but have no idea where to expect rubbing using 235's. Should I go towards the larger or smaller offset (55mm or 50mm or below?)
- would you go for wider than 7" rims?
Unsprung weight could be an issue, but not with the proper choice of wheels. Still I invite comments about what you feel concerning the ride using any of the above, and the stress on the bearings/suspension.
- D.
I was curious to know if the Forester S's OEM wheels would fit a '98 OB and checked the catalog when having its oil changed.
Surprisingly the Forester S's wheel offset was listed at +48mm. So, anything greater than +48mm would bring the wheels closer towards the strut (is that what it is called?). Like the OB (pre-2000), there isn't too much clearance in the rear on the Forester to likely take on a 235mm tire width (I don't think it will) unless you go with less than +48mm; but your steering could be funny.
I hope the redesigned '03 Forester comes with this tire size. Visually, they just look to be the right size for the vehicle.
Bob
Thanks,
Kutt - gkutte1@hotmail.com
Kutt
Ross
thanks.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
BTW, if the ride is stiff at 32psi, keep in mind Subaru does recommend 29psi. IMO that is low, but you could try it.
Michael: you can get skid plates from the aftermarket. For a couple hundred bucks or so you can find steel or even aluminum ones. Lots of rally crossers get them. Lucien had the URL for those, but he hangs out in the Subaru Crew topics.
-juice
I got 16"x7" aftermarket rims from discount tire direct for $75 a pop. The offset was 40mm IIRC, vs. 48mm stock for my L model's 15"x6" wide wheel. The S model has a 55mm offset, according to them, so they went with a lower offset to put the tires further out and away from the spring base.
I asked for 225/60R16 tires, and Tire Rack said they would rub, but Discount Tire Direct said they were OK. Tire Rack was wrong. Keep in mind this is not with the stock rims.
235/60R16 will not fit, though. The 225s come OH-SO-CLOSE to rubbing the front mud guard. There is zero play there. Any wider or taller and it would surely rub, unless you removed the mud guards or filed them down (at least).
The rears, which I was more concerned about, have a tiny amount of spare room. Not much though.
I've heard the folks in the Yahoo Forester club managed to fit 215/70R15s and 205/75R15s on stock steel rims. But not 215/75R15s. So we're talking a tiny bit of play, not a lot.
Now, what about the other sizes? 225/55R17 is a tiny bit bigger than mine, so I would avoid that, given I'm already borderline (it may, just may, fit with the right rims). 235/55R17 would rub for sure, so forget it. Actually, the ideal fitment would be 215/55R17.
My springs are stock, but taller springs would just move the problem somewhere else. When you hit a bump, the wheels would move up to where they are now and could rub (or worse, scrape). Plus, Lovell springs are stiffer, and combined with a 17" rim you would have a buckboard ride.
Wider rims? 7.5" would probably not make a difference. There is enough clearance for 1/4" extra per side on all my rims, again given my 40mm offset.
So, IMHO work with the wheel/tire experts, and see if they think the 225/55R17s will fit with rims they may have. If not, stick with 215s or use a 16" rim.
-juice
PS For an illustrative photo, look here: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1400062&a=12183854&p=44300167&f=0
My car is just slightly over two years old and has 65,000 miles on it (yes I do drive alot). It seems very strange that an ignition switch should fail so soon into the life of the car. Before this time I have had no major problems and have been very happy with the forester. I am now fighting with Subaru to try to get them to absorb some of this cost. I am also having to spend 28.00 a day to rent a car so I can get around. Has anyone else had this problem so soon into the life of their vehicle. I was going to by another Subaru in about a year or so but now am not so sure.
bit
One thing to note, however: don't panic if the gauge shows that your tires are wearing quite rapidly at first, as long as the wear is even across the tread and from one side of the vehicle to the other. Accelerated early wear is a result of the greater flexing when the tread is new and deep. Wear decelerates as the tread depth decreases and the compund hardens a bit.
I'd worry about those tellytubbies. They have an insidious brain drain effect on the owner's parents. After only days of exposure, the mothers run screaming from the house under the strain.
Well, thats what my wife says...
Kids look cute but i have to admit that three seats across the back seat of my Outback was a bit hard for me.
Cheers
Graham
Ken
Juice - I see a tether strap on one of the seats. Once Brooke outgrows her carrier, we'll be using our forward facing Fischer Price seat with tether. Hook up will be a breeze! Have to order the tether anchor kit for our Saturn though...
-Brian
Now if you could enlighten me about who you think these "wheel/tire experts" are ...
Thanks also to subaru_72941. My research indicates that a bit over 27" is OK, close to 28" is pushing it. But it also depends on width. That's another way to pose my question: how tall can you go on 225's or 235's - and what wheel offset do you need for that?
Of course, like anyone else, I am curious about what's ahead with the upcoming model changes. I truly believe the Forester is slightly undersized for the American market.
- D.
I'd like to try to help.
Thanks.
Patti
Patti
To me that's win-win. If you argue with the dealership and they get adversarial, it's lose-lose. You'll end up going back to Pep Boys for a cheap ignition fix.
Rick: I must be geezin'. They say two things go when you get old - your memory, and the 2nd thing I forget. ;-)
I stand corrected! I thought I heard someone say theirs rubbed with 215/75s, but I guess not. Maybe someone THOUGHT it would rub.
Holy cow - that's a full half inch more radius than even my tires. You have almost an inch extra clearance vs. stock. No wonder you never scrape!
Brian: yes, the infant carriers are wider than a booster, which is pretty small. But check out my cousin's '99 Outback, with an infant seat and two toddler seats:
For tires, I'd check out http://www.tirerack.com/index.jsp and http://www.discounttiredirect.com/. The latter was actually more helpful to me. Check under Wheel Specials. Mine were a bargain. People pay over a grand for a set of 16" rims, I paid $643 with tires, delivered and ready to bolt on.
-juice
Patti
-juice
-juice
Greg
Is "Zorba52" in reference to the late, great, Anthony Quinn? Just a little trivia for you Subaru folks: Guess what car he used to ferry his young family around town in? White Subaru Outback (circa '97 or so)!!!
How do I know? He took up residence about 3mi from where I live and could be seen visting shops and local restuarants in town with his family.
-Tony
Thanks and I hope this is resolved quickly!
Patti
I've had my '01 Forester S for exactly one week. The smell disappated after a couple days (or I got so completely used to it I now can't smell it anymore). The smell was definately in the '02 model I test drove before buying my '01 sight-unseen, so I think it's a feature.
Anyway, seating. Yep, I think it's definately more upright. I drove a 94 Accord for 7 years before this, and I could tell a difference immediately. I also have a lumbar support pad (gel-filled) that I use, which makes me sit even more upright. Your wife might want to try that (see the "relax the back store"). I find the seats also much firmer than my Accord. Not sure if it will be a good thing or a bad thing on an extended trip. We'll see.
My only complaint is my windshield washer doesn't work as advertised. Only the driver side sprays fluid, and I thought it would squirt fluid if you pull the control towards you (mist). At least it seems like it should from the picture on the control. Anyway, will have to visit the dealer I guess.
aj
The part cost is 210.00 the Labor is 290.00. Fitzgerald's labor rate is 83.00 per hour
Ellen
The seating position is kind of inbetween. It's more sporty than most vans, but not quite like a sedan.
The 2003 model will most likely get the ratcheting height adjustment for the seats like Imprezas have, which you may prefer.
AJ: check for a clog in the system. Pop the hood and follow the tubes. Or let a dealer, but it should be a simple fix.
Ellen: that's 3.5 hours of labor. Seems a bit long but I'm not that familiar with what they're doing.
-juice
Does anyone know where I can get these type of mats for my forester. Thanks
Go visit http://www.weathertech.com for more info.
There are other, probably cheaper, rubber mats on the market but I am happy with these all the same.
Ed
-juice
Ken
I hope those Car & Driver mats don't have pictures of Brock Yates or Pat Bedard on them ;-* .
Ed
-juice
--'rocco
--'rocco