CBRRICH

When I considered that option, I measured 2" from coil to coil meaning I would have to cut 1/2 coil to get back the inch.

Here's my summary: I read though the various forums, this one in particular for springs and a "sticky" that Unclemat had well researched and verified himself on the fitting of Bilstiens. In brief , the Bilstiens front struts are meant to be mated to spec B top hats and springs and when you use the tophats and Bilstien struts with ANY spring, you ride height goes up about an inch relative to the same springs with stock struts and top hats. That is what I experienced when I replaced the stock struts and tophats and kept the stock springs. I bought the Eibach springs with Bilstiens and Spec B Top hats because I wanted roughly stock ride height, the better control of Bilstiens, and a little stiffer ride but not harsh. My best reseach pointed to this combination. The fronts hit it pretty much exactly back to original ride height, the rears required me adding 7/8 of spacers from Paranoid Fabricators to offset the 7/8 drop from the Eibachs. Remember this is a wagon and the springs are intended for the sedan. We'll see where it finally settles and I'll let you know what I think about the overall handling and ride after a few weeks but first impression is the ride has not changed appreciably and control is somewhat improved. I alligned the camber using a camber gage and approximated the toe with a tape measure, after a month I'll get the whole car alligned. Ride height on level ground (driving to the spot so everything was "settled") is ~14 1/4" front and 14 1/8" Rear fender well to hub center. The manual says nominal should be 15.0" front and 14.8" Rear so the car is lowered ~3/4" with brand new springs and shocks.

The problem was when I installed the Bilstiens, they raised the front 1" (go figure). I was happy just to get back to level. Also a lower car does not fare well in New England. Between the bad roads and the Winters, you don't want to give up too much ride height. I've had other lowered cars, I got tired of bashing exhausts and bottoming springs. I could have cut the front spring but when you do you change the spring rate. The front spring has 3 active coils, you cut 1/2 a coil, your spring rate goes up 17%. A whole coil would be 33%. Would not work for me.

The front springs were evident, the rears I monted with the tighter coils on top because that is the way the stock ones looked (closer to "flat" pressing against the rubber spring perch where the one on the bottom "butts" up against the edge). The fronts ended up pretty much exactly back to stock height with the Bilstiens. They raised it an inch and the springs lower an inch, net zero change. The rears are strange, with new springs and shocks there is still a 1/2' difference between the left and right. No sure how that is possible. I have 3/8 and 1/2 spacers to add to the rear. Hopefuly that will make everything back to normal or I might talke back one of the spacers to level things out.

Pretty easy to make out, just look for the closest place between the two parts and see if ther is amoark on both, there was on mine at the point of contact.

Guess it would be hard to tell unless you did not have it before. Check to see that everything is tight for sure and make sure there is adequate clearance between the rear sway bar and the exaust pipes. That is one place I was getting contact but I also have AVO reinforcement mounts from Rallitek and thier rear swaybar which is larger in dameter.

A little late for the fronts, I just finished putting them in but the rears have the same numbers, I assume all is good. Thie fonts went in fine, droped the front 1" as advertised, hopefully they will not "set" any lower because this is exactly where I want them with the Bilstiens: Back to stock ride height. The rears go in tommorow.

Correct, still have the stock springs at present. As best as I can tell, as the supension compresses in the rear, the rollbar roatates aft and hits the exhaust pipe if it goes far enough. The exhaust lowering donuts gave the pipes a little more clearance, but I still hear the banging, just not as often.

I'l let you knowhow I fare. I actually picked up a "banging" especially with passangers in the back. Did not notice it with the stock setup. Added the Ralitek rear swaybar, AVO mounts for it (which pushed it close to the exhaust pipe) and Bilstiens. Rallitek suggested I install longer mounts that dropped the exhaust about 1/2 inch. Seems to have helped but I'm not sure it's completely gone. we'll see what happens after I put the springs in. I may consider removing the AVO mounts. A lot to be said for adding things one at a time.

Read this thread from start to finish there is a lot of information about each spring, you'll get a pretty clear picture of what is available and each characteristics (ride height, ride quality, etc.) As far as putting them in it's pretty simple: 3 nuts out of the top of the struts, 2 off the bottom and the struts come out (don't forget the hose clamp off the side for the brake line). I have used a deep socket grabbed by a vice grip (crude, I know) and allen wrench to get the top nut off after you compress the spring. 3 bolts off the rear and the same deal with the compressor and lock nut, pretty easy, just takes some time.

Glad to help, did you try Streetside, they were cheaper but someone else tried it and said they were out of stock. As far as saggy butt, I'm resolved to installing the eibachs, waiting a month, installing shims to get the right height and then getting an alignment.

Yep, I have had that happen to me. Most people install new bars, grease the bushings and then forget about them...untill the squeaks start. I actually put grease fittings on the sway bar bushings of my XR4ti, they needed to be greased about every 2 years and they were a pain to take apart. I got my Eibachs today, everything looks good so far (they shiped the right part). I'll put them in within the next week and see how they work with the Bilstiens I installed before. Final price was $207 delivered, the folks at Streetside actually honored the 10% off on line coupon after I had placed the order over the phone, pretty nice of them. I know I'm probably going to have to get some spacers for the rear but I'm going to let them "settle" first. Any ideas how long that typicallly takes (miles/time)?

Seeing as they have not been available for some time, I'm guessing they would not have bought dozens of sets on hand not knowing how they would sell so they probably bought a few sets to test the waters and they went quick. On the site there is a "Notify me when available" to let you know when they have them, that was how I knew they were back in stock. That will probably help them get some idea how much interest is out there. Got a Fedex tracking number today, they shipped Monday and should be here tomorrow, I'll let you know when they arrive.

Hmmm, I had spoken to the folks at Eibach directly and no one said anything about limited run or leftovers from another order but who knows, either way they seem to be available a present and can be gotten shipped for $207. Do you know the timing because this production run supposedly happened in mid June. BTW, Who or what is MSI?

Not sure what MSI is. But a BTW, I paid $230 for mine (I called it in) but if you order on line and put in the coupon code "SAVE" (just the 4 letters) it knocks another 10% off (-$23).

Eibach Springs (PN 7716140) for the 05+ Legacys are back in production. After reading this thread some months ago, I decided (for me) the Eibachs were the best choice. I searched all over the web and tried to find new or used ones without much luck. I contacted Eibach and they told me they had been out of production for some time. However, they said they were going back into production and they would be available the end of June. They actually were in stock mid June. I contacted a number of places (Tire rack, Jegs, Summit, Streetside) and they confirmed they could get them. Tire Rack wanted $229 plus $15 to ship but said it would take 3 weeks. Streetside (streetsideauto.com, 877-787-8989) had them in stock for $230 with free shipping. They said they would be comming from PA (to Boston) in probably 2 days. I'll let you know when I get them.

I know you may be tired of showing them by now but everything I have heard about the 2005 pics is that they are something else. May I take a gander?