CB-SUB009 - VB WRX Lowering Springs

2022-2024 Subaru VB WRX

Congratulations on your purchase of the COBB Tuning VB WRX Lowering Springs! The following instructions will assist you through the installation process. Please read them BEFORE beginning the install to familiarize yourself with the steps and tools needed. If you feel you cannot properly perform this installation, we HIGHLY recommend you take the vehicle to a qualified and experienced automotive technician.

[ 1 Parts List ] [ 2 Tools Needed ] [ 2.1 Sockets ] [ 2.1.1 3/8" ] [ 2.1.2 1/2" ] [ 2.2 Hand Tools ] [ 2.3 Misc. ] [ 2.4 Wrenches ] [ 3 Front Strut and Spring Removal ] [ 4 Rear Strut Removal ] [ 5 Spring Removal ] [ 6 CARB Sticker Application ]

Parts List

Tools Needed

Sockets

3/8"

3/8" ratchet
3/8" 12" extension
3/8" 6" extension
3/8" 10mm socket
3/8" 12mm socket
3/8" 14mm socket
3/8" 17mm socket

1/2"

1/2" ratchet
1/2" 19mm socket

Hand Tools

Phillips head screwdriver
Flathead screwdriver
6mm Allen Key
Trim removal tool

Misc.

Spring Compressor
or
Uber to shop that owns spring compressor
or
Lyft to shop that owns spring compressor

Wrenches

14mm combination wrench
17mm combination wrench
19mm combination wrench

Front Strut and Spring Removal

Park your car in a flat, level area and allow it to cool down properly.
Using a 10mm wrench, remove the negative terminal of the battery.
You don't need to remove the wheels to do this job but it will get you easier access. If you choose to remove them break the rear wheel nuts loose but don't remove them.
Jack your car up and support it properly, either using a lift, ramps, or jack and jack stands. Remove the rear wheels if you're going to take them off.
Lay a blanket or cardboard down under the car, or grab a creeper. In this case his name is Andrew
Remove your wheels and set them somewhere out of the way.
In the front of the car, using a 6mm allen key or socket in order to hold the center portion of your end link in place. Then, using a 17mm wrench, undo the endlink for the swaybar on both sides. (you can also remove this from the strut directly rather than the sway bar side. However if you’re swapping the swaybar out like we were, removing it from the swaybar makes a little more sense)
Squeeze the ends of the tab holding the ABS sensor to the front strut and pop it out of it’s bracket.
On the opposite side, grab a 10mm and undo the bolt holding the brake line to the strut.
After pulling the suspension off you’ll need an alignment regardless, but for now, mark the location of the bolt on the strut so you can get it lined back up again when you reinstall.
Holding the bolt head in place with your wrench, remove the nut holding both the strut bolts in place.
Undo the three 14mm nuts on the strut top and drop the strut out of the car.

Rear Strut Removal

In the trunk of the car, undo the three trim clips on either side by gently pulling the top portion out, then removing the bottom white plastic part.
Gently pulling it out of the way should expose the two 14mm nuts holding the strut in place. Go ahead and pull those out.
Using a 14mm wrench and socket, remove the bolt holding the endlink to the lower control arm.
Using your 17mm wrench and socket, remove the outer control arm bolt to the knuckle.
Using the same tools, remove the bolt for the strut through the control arm. Be careful, the strut is now free to drop out so gently pull down on the control arm and remove the strut and spring assembly from the vehicle.

Spring Removal

This process can be very dangerous, if you don’t have the proper tools to do this yourself, please have a professional do it. There is a significant amount of stored power in these springs and removing them while there is still tension can hurt you or others or worse, your car.

To remove the springs you’ll first need to compress the stock ones. Do this safely using the proper tools, either the individual ones you can typically rent at a parts store, or using a free standing device like the one we used. Either way, be careful and follow the tools instructions to do this safely.
Once compressed to where the spring is no longer touching on one side and you can freely move the strut about, use an allen and regular wrench to remove the strut top. You’ll use the allen to hold the strut itself in place, while using the wrench to back off the nut you will NOT turn the allen as it can cause internal damage to the strut.
Front Sizes: 6mm Allen, 17mm Wrench
Rear Sizes: 5mm Allen, 14mm wrench.
Once the strut mount is almost all the way off, remove the nut the rest of the way by hand, while holding the strut to prevent it dropping on the floor, then remove the strut so you just have the spring in the compressor.
Slowly and Carefully (really) release the tension on the spring and remove it from your tool.
Once the stock spring is out, compress the COBB spring for the strut you’re working on.
Once compressed, line the bottom end of the spring up with the cutout in the strut bottom, there’s a nice groove for the spring to sit in that should hold it in place.
Once the spring is clocked correctly, you can reinstall the stock strut mount using the same hardware, again holding the center shaft of the spring in place and only turning the nut to tighten it in to place.
After it’s tightened back down you can once again release the pressure on the spring and remove the strut from the tool. Make sure the spring is sitting straight on the strut, and is held in place on the top and the bottom (not sticking off to one side or another)
Go ahead and reinstall the struts in the reverse order of removal.
At this point you should tow the vehicle to get it aligned, it’s typically unsafe to drive a misaligned vehicle on the street, both for yourself and others.
You’re all done! Go out and enjoy!

CARB Sticker Application

(Where Applicable)

Apply the supplied CARB sticker in a clear, easy to find location. Typically underhood, or on the radiator core support.