Was thinking of powder coat but knowing how susceptible it is to chipping compared to proper chassis paints plus the benefit of being able to do it at hone I thought I’d go the DIY route. I can get new backing plates for £30 a pair but on all honesty will probably just leave them off as they are only for the 315mm standard brakes rather that the 330mm Brembos I have fitted anyway.
I will look at the design of the STI backing plates and see if they can be fitted but I don’t really see the need to re-fit them, unless they serve a purpose I’m not aware of other than to trap stones!

Should help with the front end refresh!
To go with the refurbished uprights, JDM alloy lower arms and full set of superpro bushes including bump steer. All bolted to the almost new Bilstein and STI pinks!
https://i.imgur.com/Si53Gm1_d.jpg?ma...idelity=medium

your probably aware but the droplinks differ between the steel and alloy arm set-up........

Smart! Was this the icp easy fit set up.?

Are you going to top up the paint on the stone guard? I dont know how they get such a thin, even coat on without metal showing through. Noticed the rears on mine are decidedly flaky when I did the pads at the weekend.

Not planning on adding to the paint on the stone guards as the originals did 130k miles and 15 years so should outlast my ownership!
These arrived today though!
https://i.imgur.com/6xHGXq8l.jpg

The strip and rebuild of the font end is getting there!
Had a few Issues with getting the replacement used hubs tidied up - The ball joint socket and bearing setting faces all need significant cleaning with a die grinder to get the new parts to fit.
All the threads were cleaned/re-tapped and the hub repainted before re-assembly with new Bearings, bolts and brake backing plates.
Before and after below!
https://i.imgur.com/gfON4iN.jpg
Now struggling to get the ABS sensors out of the existing hubs on the car - bolts are out but sensors wont't budge.

I wasn't! May need to look into this.

All fitted and ready for alignment!
https://i.imgur.com/DMiGEIf.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Vk7XNOJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/yRNbUJD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/pMxXOIG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/zAd267V.jpg

Unfortunately I don't think they do one for the legacy so I've sourced a set of used uprights to refurbish with the new parts.

looks good Nick..should notice a difference after all that!:ok:

Even on the drive home it was obvious that it is much more sorted again - body roll feels reduced and turn in is sharper again.
The rear alignment isn’t perfect as the car has developed a bit too much toe in and the rear toe bushes were seized. Also still running more camber than desired on the rear to set the wheels to clear the arches. Will possibly drop the width of the tyres from 235 to 225 when I replace them.
I’m currently trying to source the parts to do a similar job on the rear using the JDM alloy trailing arms and most likely the white line lateral links so there is more adjustment to try and sort the rear alignment out.

https://i.imgur.com/phdxLSAl.jpg
Latest arrivals - just waiting on the refurbished calipers and need to buy discs and pads from the rear.

https://i.imgur.com/6S52iGyl.jpg
Finally got the OE mesh grille! These are like rocking horse sh!t for the 3.0 bumper!

Another purchase due to an exhaust blow in the headers.
https://www.chargertech.net/1369-lar...h6-headers.jpg

Shiny. Love the new grill, so much better.

Ooooo will sound good.

It's dead! Had a 'new' JDM engine fitted by Hallie (Legacy Guru) and it's got exactly the same symptoms (but worse) than mine had so looks like the replacement also had a blown HG.
My engine was bubbling in the coolant tank and would push coolant out until it ran hot (never in the red) when pushed hard or towing, rarely on short 'normal' drives the replacement will push coolant out after 10 mins or so when up to temp. give the heater matrix and radiator flow cleanly and appear to have no restrictions then the only culprit can be the engine as the air is getting in somewhere!

Engine was supplied by Nippon Autospares (Derby) and I'm waiting on the outcome of the warranty claim, however i'm outside the 3 months as I couldn't get it fitted in time and they are claiming that my Radiator must have caused my HG to go and has now done the same to the new one. I'm probably putting some Impreza compatible bits up for sale shortly, namely rear brembo conversion parts and STI front discs/pads if there's any desire?...

Sorry to hear this Nick..

So now what??

They’ve agreed to fix the issue under the warranty so I have to get the car up to Derby in the new year. So for now I’m going that route. I may still sell it after it’s fixed to downsize to a hot hatch (possibly of the french persuasion) assuming Sian gets the big Merc for towing!