Chassis

Like many Subaru donors, my 2004 WRX had seen some winter weather. Therefore, most of the parts needed at minimum some cleaning up and a fresh coat of paint if I wanted them looking solid on the 818.

• I used Corroseal rust reverser product on all the rusty cast parts like the spindles. You wirewheel first then use the product and it turns a nice black color. Then just paint!
• Control arms just required some wire wheeling and a fresh coat of paint
• One tip, the rear lateral link bolts might be completely seized. In some cases it might be easier to buy a new rear spindle but YMMV.

Also like many donors, mine had a fair share of miles on the chassis (150K). So I did some maintenance items like the wheel bearings just as a while-you’re-in-there thing. A harbor freight press is a godsend for this! With the press, the wheel bearings are quite easy.