Outback Bilsteins

[Impatient]

Pardon if I'm in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I gotta start somewhere.

 

My question is, are the Bilstein W0133-1831358's really going to fit the rear of my 2009 Outback Wagon base model, and if so does anyone with experience with them want to comment on how well this swap might work if I leave the front stock struts / shocks alone?

 

Here's more detail & my saga, if you care:

 

This thing isn't even broken in yet...except for the shocks..and it feels like mostly the rears are the ones that are the worst. With a mere 7000 miles, and I've had all I can take with the ride. I'm very MOR in my needs: 99% street use, somewhat aggressive city driver, Texas, so very little snow, more ice, etc, no need for heavy loads or towing capacity (hitch mount bike rack only) but I just want to improve the ride / handling of my Outback. I actually think it took a turn for the worse when I had the Steering Rack replaced under warranty (I swear the dealer swapped the rear shocks with some with 150,000 miles). Subsequent visit: "Sir, we don't see anything wrong with your shocks or anything else" (They must not let the Service Mgr drive an STI). 7000 miles, sheesh!

 

Anyway, from all the searching, it looks like KYB GR-2's won't make me happy. I doubt Monroe SensaTracs would either (based on Toyota truck experience). KYB doesn't make a Gas-A-Just or other mono-tube for the Outback (KYB should pursue that). I was told no Bilsteins for Outback (I think it was Rallitek that told me that). But today, found a site selling Bilstein part # W0133-1831358 listed for the rears...of an Outback. Wasn't for an 09, but 08 is close enough, isn't it???? Unfortunately, I can't find that part number anywhere "official" from Bilstein. And I also see that same part number listed for a Legacy (non-Outback). After much searching, I found a reference to Bilsteins BE5-B832-H0 (F4-BE5-B832-H0)for Legacy IV Spec B except Outback...along with some front shock parts...and just now see that Rallitek shows these (F4-BE.....) for Legacy GT as well...but not the Outback. So it's questionable if those would even fit the Outback. So if The F4-BE....won't fit, how can the W0133....fit both Legacy & Outback???

 

I am confused.

 

I don't want to go the coilover or spring / shock kit route for money reasons (if I had that kind of money I would have bought a BMW or something), hence the new thread....however, if I can just figure out how to get logged onto the Outback Forum, I'll post this same question there.

[doctorbrody]

The only Bilsteins for an Outback are from Japan, and they're just as expensive as Megan Racing coilovers. Here are the part numbers - http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114243

 

The ones you're looking at are for the Legacy, which has a lower ride height. People have swapped the LGT suspension onto their Outbacks.

 

You could try the Rallitek heavy duty rear springs http://www.rallitek.com/raorespforle.html and see how you like it.

 

I have the MR coilovers (bought used from a forum member) and absolutely love them. Totally different car with them on. Some people have had problems with them though. Search around for more info. http://www.meganracing.com/products/product_detail.asp?prodid=664&catid=93&input.x=12&input.y=6

[Impatient]

from: http://www.racepages.com/parts/shocks/subaru/outback.html

 

excerpt:

 

Bilstein Rear Shock Absorber

App: 2008 Subaru Outback

Brand: Bilstein

Part #: W0133-1831358

Notes:

Location: Rear

 

Price: $99.95

 

Quantity

 

MakeModelYear RangeChassis/EngineSubaruOutback20082.5i Limited; All Engines;SubaruOutback20082.5i; All Engines;SubaruOutback2008All Submodels; All Engines;

[OhBe1]

Looks like an OE replacement. Odd they made it so hard to find.

[dschultz]

I realize you said money was an issue as these would be $250 a corner, food for thought.

http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2568979&postcount=5

 

Will this help you cross reference the part on different years?

http://opposedforces.com/parts/legacy/us_b13/type_21/suspension_and_axle/rear_shock_absorber/

 

I found this http://www1.carparts-cat.com/pkw/parts/ArtDetail.asp?SID=0001989618576368018004&AID=68413385,854,171 which indicates the BE5-B832 will fit a "BP" model which is Leagcy Wagon (or estate in European terms).

There's also a Sprint dampner line.

http://www1.carparts-cat.com/pkw/reload.asp?SID=0001989618576368018004&ROOT=1&ID=107,5061,17662,0

[doctorbrody]

That's weird there aren't fronts to go with this... Has anyone tried these?

[TimGinCentralNJ]

from: http://www.racepages.com/parts/shocks/subaru/outback.html

 

excerpt:

 

Bilstein Rear Shock Absorber

App: 2008 Subaru Outback

Brand: Bilstein

Part #: W0133-1831358

Notes:

Location: Rear

 

Price: $99.95

 

Quantity

 

MakeModelYear RangeChassis/EngineSubaruOutback20082.5i Limited; All Engines;SubaruOutback20082.5i; All Engines;SubaruOutback2008All Submodels; All Engines;

 

 

So what would you use as replacement springs? At least all the Bilsteins I've had in various cars and trucks tended to be on the more "stiff" and/or "sporty" side...I wouldn't expect the ones you've found to be too much different. If that holds true, were you planning on running a stiffer shock with the flimsy original springs?

 

Tim

 

ps: I've got 71k on my 2005 XT and still hate my suspension....rear shocks may be leaking but I need to take a closer look. If these Bilsteins end up working and even improving the ride/handling by 1% over the originals, I'm sold!!

[OhBe1]

Since they're not a pretty color, and are a fairly low price, I expect they're to be regarded as near-OEM performance.

Do they list a front strut for the plain Legacy? And then if so, is the PN for the rear plain Legacy shock the same as this?

[OhBe1]

OK, googling the PN shows it as a 2005-2009 Outback rear shock, which makes sense, except the links seem to be dead.

[BAC5.2]

See if you can find rear takeoffs from an OBXT.

 

I had an 09 N/A (special edition) for 5 months, and the rear suspension felt TERRIBLE. It turned out to be a lemon and I replaced it with an 09 OBXT. Immediately, the suspension in the XT feels LOADS better.

[Impatient]

1st: has anyone been able to cross-reference the W0133-1831358 part number to any official Bilstein fitment guide?

 

I really appreciate dschultz's reply, but trying to find more info on a Subaru Estate BP appears to correspond to a lower-suspension Legacy. Although it looks like there could be such a thing as a German Outback, I couldn't find enough info nor that final confirmation that there is a Bilstein shock for it.

 

2nd question: Racepages shows the KYB KY341443 rear shock for the Outback and the KY341353 for the Legacy, but the same Bilstein part # for both models. Anyone know if those 2 KYB's are the same size (just perhaps different valving)? That might ease my worry that the Bisteins would PHYSICALLY fit....although they might still be all wrong for the Outback from a tuning perspective.

 

3rd: What would be wrong with stiffer shocks with standard springs? And rear only? Again, I don't think I am in the market for a total makeover (er coilover). $$$$$

[steph01]

subscribed

[dschultz]

As I understand it, the North American Outback is about 3/4" higher than all other Outback's in the world. There is speculation that it was done to classify the Outback as an SUV in NA. It is also suspected to be the cause of an odd rear wheel steering phenomenon noticed on hard packed snow or icy roads. Here's some background http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11267

I'd like to take my OB down an inch.

 

This is most likely why it's hard to find matching PN's for NA OB's.

[AJW Performance]

As I understand it, the North American Outback is about 3/4" higher than all other Outback's in the world. There is speculation that it was done to classify the Outback as an SUV in NA. It is also suspected to be the cause of an odd rear wheel steering phenomenon noticed on hard packed snow or icy roads. Here's some background http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11267

I'd like to take my OB down an inch.

 

This is most likely why it's hard to find matching PN's for NA OB's.

 

you will be able to take it down an inch with those BC coilovers you just ordered:spin:

[OhBe1]

More like a couple inches, I'd think.

The BTS Bilstein kit seems to be the best, although pricey, solution.