Front Strut Options

[Baja_CNY]

Hello Everyone

I know this topic has come up many times,
but what are the options for front struts
for a 2006?

Is it Genuine Subaru, or nothing?

I'm not looking for anything special, just
a replacement for stock.

Also, is 2006 the only year that the
suspension was raised? That's my
guess why struts are available for
other years, but not 2006.

Thanks for your help . . . . Brian

[Guacamole]

There's plenty of aftermarket parts out there for struts. Whether or not you'll have the same ride height is a different story. The 05-06 both have the same ride height (highest), the 03 is the lowest, and the 04 is in the middle. It's safe to guess the 05-06 suspension is exactly the same.

See this thread for further details: viewtopic.php?t=2069

EDIT: 04-06 are the same.

[kamesama980]

Interesting, I hadn't searched for an 06 before but rockauto has NO options for an 06 baja front strut. Might well be OE or bust for the correct fitment.
primativeracing has OE struts http://get-primitive.com/struts/559-kyb ... -no_thanks and gives options for individual or pairs. No idea how price compares to the dealership post shipping.

DO NOT FORGET to buy mounts, boots, and stops! having worked in a shop for several years there were occasionally customers I couldn't convince to get them all done together. Invariably they were back a week later pitching a fit that we either didn't fix their car or broke their car until I pointed out where I made them initial on the WO that I suggested and they declined doing the whole mounting kit.

[Baja_CNY]

I should have mentioned that I did
an extensive search and found nothing
except the Primitive ones. They don't
list the prices individually, just the
set of 4. They say they are KYB made
and I even tried finding them from
KYB, with no luck.

Nothing from NAPA, Autozone or
Advance.

I always try Rock first, and got the
back struts there. Their prices
can't be beat.

Subaru.com lists the struts as $149.95
and so far, that price has always matched
the dealer price exactly.
http://parts.subaru.com/a/Subaru_2006_B ... 10-01.html

Looks like that's how I may have to go.

Thanks for the info.

[kamesama980]

You can select one or pairs on the right side of Primative's page.

All: $556
F Pair: $400
R Pair: $356
F ind: $300
R ind: $278

Looks like not a terrible deal for all 4. not so much for less than 4. Then add shipping and mounting kits...

[Baja_CNY]

Thanks for the info.

Went to the dealer today and
confirmed the price for each
front strut is $150.

So when I have a spare $300,
I'll get them.

[kamesama980]

plus tax and whatever other fees the dealer comes up with.

And the mounts!

[rglass1040]

Riverhead Bay Subaru in Riverhead Bay, NY has them on line for $107/ea currently
https://parts.riverheadbaysubaru.com/p/ ... origin=pla

[rglass1040]

AM-Auto Parts lists a PAIR for front fits '03-'06 for $80.75 "buy it Now" on eBay. I have bought from them before and they are reputable!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Strut-Front-Pai ... del%3ABaja

[Baja_CNY]

I really appreciate this info - thank you.

My memory is really bad trying to remember
posts, but isn't there a height difference on
the 05 and 06, making the struts different
from previous years?

That makes me wonder how 03-06 could use
the same struts, but I could have mis-remembered.

Can anyone refresh me on the height dfference
between model years and does this make the
front struts different?

Thanks . . . . Brian

[kamesama980]

Real easy to use the same struts and have different ride height: different springs. either same spring rate and longer unmounted or same height and stiffer.

Only thing I remember about it is my 03 has the lowest ride height of the lot and newer=taller.

[rglass1040]

'03-'06 part numbers are the same for the struts. It's the springs that changed the ride height. '03 was the low one all others the same height.

[starr-]

'03-'06 part numbers are the same for the struts. It's the springs that changed the ride height. '03 was the low one all others the same height.

Just to confirm: (although I guess i could look it up haha) oem subaru lists 03 struts and 04 - 06 struts with the same part number? I always figured this was the case but have been getting conflicting answers.

[Guacamole]

The plot thickens. The parts index lists the same struts for all model years, but different springs per model year; two for 03, but the 04-05 are the same? Also different ones for the turbos? But the rear springs are the same for all years?

Front Strut

f_strut.JPG (68.73 KiB) Viewed 15290 times

Rear Strut

r_strut.JPG (50.87 KiB) Viewed 15290 times

I actually called the local Subie dealership & the parts guy said they need VINs to confirm the difference, but he did say the index has the correct part numbers...

EDIT: So on my 06 N/A Auto the suspension part #s are as follows:
RF Strut: 20310AE44A
LF Strut: 20310AE45A
F Springs: 20330AE60A & 20330AE62A

RR Strut: 20365AE22A
LR Strut: 20365AE22A
R Springs: 20380AE50A

Without VIN:
2003 N/A
RF Strut: 20310AE42A
LF Strut: 20310AE43A
F Springs: 20330AE44A & 20330AE45A

RR Strut: 20365AE15A
LR Strut: 20365AE15A
R Springs: 20380AE39A

2004 N/A
RF Strut: 20310AE44A
LF Strut: 20310AE45A
F Springs: 20330AE60A & 20330AE62A

RR Strut: 20365AE22A
LR Strut: 20365AE22A
R Springs: 20380AE50A

2005 N/A
RF Strut: 20310AE44A
LF Strut: 20310AE45A
F Springs: 20330AE60A & 20330AE62A

RR Strut: 20365AE22A
LR Strut: 20365AE22A
R Springs: 20380AE50A

Source: https://parts.subaru.com/ using only AT sport models
So if this is correct, the 04-06s use the same struts & springs while the 03s are the outlier. Yet the 05 & 06s are higher than the 04s, so how the hell did Subaru achieve a higher ride height for the later models if the struts & springs are the same???

If anyone with 2003-2005 N/As wants to input their VINs & list the part #s they get for the front & rear suspension for confirmation it would be greatly appreciated.

2ND EDIT:
So after reviewing all the spec sheets for all 4 model years, I found that the official Subaru manuals list "8.4in" of ground clearance for the 04s, 05s, & 06s. Now everything makes sense & my original information of the 04s being a middle ride height are incorrect.
So I'm just an idiot.
It doesn't help however that in the 2004 brochure they just edited the 2003 image from the previous brochure.

[sfeather11]

Hey there, I'll throw in my $.02 and confirm that the '03 is the only outlier. I upgraded all 4 corners on my '03 classic a few years back to the 04-06 parts (springs and struts) to get the extra 1" ride height. Only the 03 part numbers were different than the 04-06. Installed them without issue and Presto! My '03 is taller!

Peace! Scott