strut mounts [top hats] confusion

[nawojalso]

so my brothers 05 LGT Wagon is in need of strut mounts/top hats to pass inspection. now, his car is eating through suspension components at a more accelerated rate than most people, him living on a fairly long, sometimes nasty dirt road. his dealer quoted him at $70 per mount for OEM.

 

 

now here is where things get confusing.

 

i have found spec B mounts for less than the dealer quote, but will they fit his factory springs & KYB struts?

 

what other mounts would fit that would be more durable at the same price point?

 

if OEM replacements are the only way to go, where is the best place to get them? alot of the online subaru parts stores have the subaru part for like $63, not a big discount.

 

i did find MOOG strut mounts on rockauto for ~$38, would you trust that?

 

 

soo many options for the impreza chassis... no love for the LGT i guess.

[Max Capacity]

Moog is a big name company that has been around for a long time. If you can't wait to talk the the guy's at Fred Beans on Monday, and your looking for a OEM replacement, Moog is a good choice.

[AZP Installs]

The spec B or the GroupN mounts will be a better choice. You will need to add in a SS Washer from Lowes or Home Depot under the conical washer in order for the Spec B tops or the Group N tops to work. Even though the Group N are pricey, they are worth it.

 

-mike

[nawojalso]

well, my brother got some duralast OEM style strut mounts from autozone, and guess what? they were impreza strut mounts with the wrong spacing to fit his strut tower. i looked on rock auto and their OEM style strut mounts have applications listed for all the imprezas, all the Legacy models, including the spec B, all on the same part number.

 

so spec B mounts will work with a washer... does it need to be a special washer? particularly strong? or will any ole washer work?

 

 

edit: i guess it doesnt matter, he doesnt like the idea of "rigging something" to make the spec B mounts fit.

 

we are gonna find some OEM mounts, and hopefully wont have to pay $70 at the dealer for them.