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WRX Lowering springs

Your WRX

Pick your year to see what fits.

This page covers the WRX and STI. The non-turbo Impreza has its own page.

Lower, with less roll
Hard$315–$3954–6 hrs
All WRX mods

Why do it

A cheaper way to drop the car and cut body roll while keeping your stock struts.

Tools you'll need

Starting out? See our budget tool list.

Parts to buy

Double-check fitment before buying. We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Before you start

  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.
  • A cheap spring compressor can fail. Use a good one, or have a shop swap the springs.
  • Book an alignment before you start.

Steps

  1. Lift the car

    • Raise it on stands and remove the wheels.
    Watch this step (Fix it Bongbong, on a 04-07 WRX) (0:28–1:00)
  2. Remove the front struts

    • Undo the brake line bracket, lower bolts and top nuts.
    Watch this step (1:00–3:35)
  3. Swap the front springs

    • Compress the spring, undo the top nut and fit the new spring.
    Watch this step (3:35–6:55)
  4. Refit the front struts

    • Put them back and start all the bolts.
    Watch this step (6:55–10:19)
  5. Remove the rear struts

    • Reach the top nuts and take out the rear struts.
    Watch this step (10:19–11:29)
  6. Swap the rear springs

    • Do the same on the rear struts.
    Watch this step (11:29–14:09)
  7. Refit and test

    • Refit the rears, tighten with the car on the ground and get it aligned.
    Watch this step (14:09–16:53)
  8. Prepare the front

    • Raise it on stands and remove the wheels.
    Watch this step (COBB's install video, 08-14 WRX/STI) (0:25–1:23)
  9. Remove the front struts

    • Undo the brake line bracket, lower bolts and top nuts.
    Watch this step (1:23–3:06)
  10. Swap the front springs

    • Compress the spring, undo the top nut and fit the new spring.
    Watch this step (3:06–5:03)
  11. Refit the front struts

    • Put them back and start all the bolts.
    Watch this step (5:03–6:31)
  12. Remove the rear

    • Reach the top nuts and take out the rear struts.
    Watch this step (6:31–8:39)
  13. Swap the rear springs

    • Do the same on the rear struts.
    Watch this step (8:39–10:21)
  14. Refit the rear

    • Refit them, tighten with the car on the ground and get it aligned.
    Watch this step (10:21–11:56)
  15. Remove the front strut

    • Undo the brake line bracket, lower bolts and top nuts.
    Watch this step (Coop_Nation, on a 2017 WRX) (2:40–4:40)
  16. Swap the front spring

    • Compress the spring, undo the top nut and fit the new spring.
    Watch this step (4:40–10:08)
  17. Refit the front strut

    • Put it back and start all the bolts.
    Watch this step (10:08–14:52)
  18. Do the rear springs

    • Take out the rear shock, swap the spring and refit. Then get it aligned.
    Watch this step (14:52–20:16)
  19. Do the front

    • Remove the strut, compress the spring and fit the new one.
    Watch this step (Noah Luzzi, on a 2020 STI) (1:33–3:16)
  20. Do the rear

    • Remove the rear shock, swap the spring and refit.
    Watch this step (3:16–6:06)
  21. Check your height

    • Measure the drop and get it aligned.
    Watch this step (6:06–7:42)
  22. Remove the front strut

    • Undo the brake line bracket, lower bolts and top nuts.
    Watch this step (Cameron Alford, on a 2022+ WRX) (1:24–3:50)
  23. Swap the front spring

    • Compress the spring, undo the top nut and fit the new spring.
    Watch this step (3:50–9:16)
  24. Refit the front strut

    • Put it back and start all the bolts.
    Watch this step (9:16–10:33)
  25. Remove the rear

    • Take out the rear shock.
    Watch this step (10:33–12:17)
  26. Swap the rear spring

    • Fit the new rear spring.
    Watch this step (12:17–13:34)
  27. Refit the rear

    • Put it back, tighten on the ground and get it aligned.
    Watch this step (13:34–15:21)

How to know it worked

Did this guide work for you?

Safety first

  • Park on flat ground, set the parking brake and chock the wheels.
  • Never get under a car held up only by a jack. Use jack stands.
  • Let the engine and exhaust cool first.
  • Disconnect the battery before unplugging electrical parts.
  • Wear safety glasses.
  • If something doesn't match your car, stop and ask a shop.

Follow your part's instructions and your service manual's torque specs.