Subaru Forester Rear Springs: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults
Genuinely worth knowing: Subaru changed the rear spring perch diameter between generations, a detail that's caught out owners fitting aftermarket springs.
Illustration for editorial purposes
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A Genuine Perch Diameter Change Worth Knowing About
Genuinely worth knowing: owners have documented Subaru changing the rear shock's spring perch diameter between generations, even where the overall shock design looks similar — aftermarket springs designed for an earlier generation can sit slightly off-centre on a later generation's smaller perch. This is a genuine, specific fitment issue worth checking for rather than assuming cross-generation spring compatibility.
Subaru Forester Rear Springs: A Part That Fails Quietly, Then Suddenly
On the Subaru Forester, a rear spring often sags gradually for months without an obvious symptom beyond a slightly lower ride height, then fails suddenly at the coil's end with an audible clunk — worth bearing in mind if you notice one rear corner sitting lower than the other.
Subaru Forester Rear Springs: OEM Part Number
| Naturally aspirated (2.5), automatic transmission | Genuinely a different spring from the manual transmission version below — confirmed as separate references in Subaru's own parts catalogue |
|---|---|
| Naturally aspirated (2.5), manual transmission | A genuinely different spring from the automatic version above |
| Turbo (XT) | A genuinely different, typically stiffer spring from the naturally aspirated versions, confirmed as separate part numbers |
Always replace Subaru Forester rear springs in pairs — a single new spring paired with an old, sagged one on the other side creates an uneven ride height and handling bias.
Subaru Forester Rear Springs: What It Does
The Subaru Forester's rear coil spring supports the weight of the car's rear end and absorbs the initial impact of a bump, working alongside the shock absorber rather than replacing its function. A sagged or broken spring lowers ride height, can affect headlight aim, and in severe cases is an MOT failure item.
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Subaru Forester Rear Springs: Warning Signs, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice
These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Rear Springs Guide for symptoms of a failing spring, confirming fitment against your VIN, and OEM vs aftermarket guidance.
More Subaru Rear Springs
The same part, covered across other Subaru models.