Darkness of Death Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 just to let anyone know, if you buy the geo studs, and the 3/8 butt shims and have a rear strut tower bar. you can get the tower bar in but it doesn't leave a desirable amount of threads after installing the nuts.so you'd have to choose between keeping the bar in or ditching it for more peace of mind that the nuts are in enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 What? I have 3/8" spacers, Geo Metro wheel studs and an eBay rear strut bar. All fit with no issues and plenty of thread to put the nut on. Barely flush, but there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkness of Death Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 define plenty? mine was maybe 1 or 2 beyond the nut in aerospace specs, 3 threads beyond the nut is acceptable maybe i should go out there and give them some cranking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Make sure there are no obstructions to the bars mount sitting flat. I probably exceeded the torque spec by a few pounds. But not much. I have at least 3 full threads. Even drove 4000 mile road trip last summer that way. Loaded with everything. Made 5 trips down the 1320 that way last weekend. Pulled a 13.9 in my 5EAT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPLGT Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Where is the best place to buy some 3/8 butt shims? Rehab is for quitters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted January 18, 2010 Share Posted January 18, 2010 Fred Beans Parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPLGT Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 Fred Beans Parts Thanks, man. Jeremy is the man, too...will do. Rehab is for quitters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueboxer7 Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 1. Do the (02-07) Impreza "FRONT" top hats match the (05-08) Legacy top hats? 2. Are the Legacy front top hats the same from model years 01-08? 3. Are the Legacy rear top hats the same from model years 01-08? 4. What size studs are on the Legacy rear top hats from (01-08)? The newer (08-10) Impreza has M10 studs. 5. Do the Legacy top hats match the newer Impreza (GR Chassis)? I know the SH Forester and GR Impreza match. 6. Do any of you own a Legacy or have a friend with one and can take a picture of your front & rear top hats installed? I will also need some measurements from bolt center to bolt center of these. Thanks for all your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted March 7, 2010 Share Posted March 7, 2010 Do a search. This is the wrong thread to ask these questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCType-S Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Do I need this butt shim for the Bilstein Subaru Legacy GT Suspension Conversion Kit from Fred Beans Parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Depends on Springs. If getting the set up with the OEM springs then no. If using aftermarket springs yes. The full OEM package ride height is basically just like a stock SpecB. If you raised it any you would look like a Forester, lol. Using the SpecB tophats with lowering springs usually causes the "saggy butt" look. The SpecB has it a little from the factory, but you do not want to lift it any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCType-S Posted March 12, 2010 Share Posted March 12, 2010 Good to know. I already bought a h-tech last year and planning on install the spring along with this suspension kit this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPLGT Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 I have Swifts on Bilsteins. They're needed. Just bot me a set from Fred Beans. Rehab is for quitters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbcracken Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 I had them on my Bil HD with stock springs and it leveled things out some. I've recently installed Ion springs (Sport/Fr & HD/Rr) and did not use the shims. There is a small difference in the gap but not that bad. I'm still waiting for the springs to settle out before making my final judgement. While driving highway speeds, I have noticed a big drop in road noise since removing the shims. Cheers, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPLGT Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 I had my 3/8 shims added today. I had some rear suspension issues and finally had my Swifts put back on the rear. While it was being done, I figured I would need the Shims to TBD too. I went from 17s to 18s a few months ago. The tech called me up mid way through the job and said the struts would not go on the car with the shims as there was not enough thread to put the nuts on. I ended up buyign some extended studs which solved the problem. The result: 1 finger gap. I had heard if you used 1/2" shims, you would need the extended studs, not the 3/8. I have JDM Rev As. so I think that was the issue... Rehab is for quitters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 No. 3/8" shims require the extended studs too. Geo Metro 10mm wheel studs do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBT Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 My 3/8" shims are going on my Spec Bizzle Bilsteins this weekend, and I'm using the Geo Metro studs (thanks Smitty ). Has anyone picked up additional NVH from using the shims? My thought was to some isolating rubber (1/16" or so) and lay it in between the top of the shim and the shock mount, similar to the way the top hats have some rubber isolation on top. - Pro amore Dei et patriam et populum - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkness of Death Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 didn't notice any difference, subietonic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Dale. Been running them for 20k+ miles now. No noticeable NVH. The wife doesn't even know they are there. She drives the car every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPLGT Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 No. 3/8" shims require the extended studs too. Geo Metro 10mm wheel studs do the trick. Really? I read the studs were only needed for 1/2" +....oh well...I am now back in order... Rehab is for quitters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkness of Death Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 i thought the geo metro studs weren't long enough for the 1/2" shims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 I don't think they are. But some people are ok with 2 threads hoding the strut in place. The 3/8" shims fit great with the Metro studs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lieutenantcolumbo Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Just had my 3/8" spacers put on the car this Thursday. Got them from Fred Beans, and it seems like from their description you only need the longer studs for the 1/2" spacers. "Notes: -Sold as a set of Two ( 2 )-The 1/2 inch Spacers include Four ( 4 ) lengthened Strut Top Suds to compensate for the taller Spacers, as the factory studs may be too short for the 1/2 inch Spacer." The shop didn't say my studs were too short, so I hope the nuts are not just halfway threaded on onto the studs. They're pretty good about telling me things like that....I hope. Maybe there's some model/year/supplier variations out there causing the inconsistencies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkness of Death Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 according to the paranoid fabrication's site. it says something about the geo metro studs being needed for the 3/8 and 1/4 but no mention of the 1/2 inch shims. well..if you have a rear strut bar. then you'll definitely need the longer studs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m sprank Posted March 27, 2010 Share Posted March 27, 2010 Stock studs are the same all model years. Stock studs and 3/8" spacers leave 2-3 threads to use. This is well documented. I was part of the original testing. 1/4" spacers and stock studs are fine. 3/8" spacers, Metro studs and a rear strut bar are fine (I ran this set up). 1/2" spacers and Metro studs leave 2-3 threads to use. You can PM me if you have any specific questions. I fit tested the Paranoid Fab pieces. FBP is just a copy of those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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