1997 Legacy L Struts question

[Mike Avery]

My 1997 Legacy L wagon was in the shop for some maintenance and it was
suggested that I should replace the front and rear struts.

The quoted price was the worst part of $1,200. A look at the parts
prices makes me think I could do this myself for a lot less. In
college, I used to do all my own maintenance, but got out of the habit
over the years. Still, I know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to.

Has anyone here replaced struts? Any advice?

Should I go ahead and replace springs and mounts at the same time while
I'm having fun?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[djay]

My 1997 Legacy L wagon was in the shop for some maintenance and it was
suggested that I should replace the front and rear struts.

The quoted price was the worst part of $1,200. A look at the parts
prices makes me think I could do this myself for a lot less. In
college, I used to do all my own maintenance, but got out of the habit
over the years. Still, I know which end of a screwdriver to hold on to.

Has anyone here replaced struts? Any advice?

Should I go ahead and replace springs and mounts at the same time while
I'm having fun?

Thanks,
Mike

I bought mine (98 legacy) online and took them to Big-O tires. They quoted
many hours to install them and then align (quote was for 7 hours labor and 1
hour alignment).

I dropped my baby off and of course they offered to "shuttle me anywhere"
but I declined. They started at 8 and were done by noon. I asked that the
bill be reduced by 4 hours labor and they agreed. Had I NOT been present I
wouldn't have known that the car was done in 1/2 the time. Cost dropped
from an estimated 800 to 400. I was quite happy with that.

DJay

 

[Mike Avery]

I bought mine (98 legacy) online and took them to Big-O tires. They quoted
many hours to install them and then align (quote was for 7 hours labor and 1
hour alignment).

I dropped my baby off and of course they offered to "shuttle me anywhere"
but I declined. They started at 8 and were done by noon. I asked that the
bill be reduced by 4 hours labor and they agreed. Had I NOT been present I
wouldn't have known that the car was done in 1/2 the time. Cost dropped
from an estimated 800 to 400. I was quite happy with that.

Not bad..... well, you're staying on top of it wasn't bad. It is common
practice to base estimates, and charges, on "the book." If the book
says it's an 8 hour job, they estimate and bill by it. It lets a good
mechanic make a lot more money.

So far, the estimates are $1,200 from the dealer and $1,400 from Midas.
Midas says the struts (either Gabriel or KYB) are $177 each for parts.
I can find them online for under $100.

I'll call Big O next...

Thanks,
Mike

 

[djay]

Not bad..... well, you're staying on top of it wasn't bad. It is common
practice to base estimates, and charges, on "the book." If the book
says it's an 8 hour job, they estimate and bill by it. It lets a good
mechanic make a lot more money.

So far, the estimates are $1,200 from the dealer and $1,400 from Midas.
Midas says the struts (either Gabriel or KYB) are $177 each for parts.
I can find them online for under $100.

I'll call Big O next...

Thanks,
Mike

The only thing with bringing in your own struts is -of course- big O won't
warrentee them. That didn't bother me at all.

Good luck! Djay

 

[tropical]

Now how did the car feel after the new struts were put on ?
Tony 2000 outback

 

[djay]

Now how did the car feel after the new struts were put on ?
Tony 2000 outback

The ride is just about the same - stiffer in the turns though. It was worth
the expense for me - had them put on after the originals had 126K miles.

Djay

 

[Robert L Wilson]

I have replaced struts, though not yet on our Subys. The manuals make it
look very similar to replacing struts on other cars I have done.
But have you actually replaced __struts__? Much more difficult than
traditional shock absorbers. You need to remove the whole system the wheel
mounts to: In front the steering nuckle, in the rear the similar part on
your AWD Suby that does not have to steer. That means (in front) getting the
ball joints out, for example. I do think that price sounds outrageous, but
at least read what you have to do in a Haynes manual or something like that
before diving in...
Bob Wilson

 

[Mike Avery]

I have replaced struts, though not yet on our Subys. The manuals make it
look very similar to replacing struts on other cars I have done.
But have you actually replaced __struts__? Much more difficult than
traditional shock absorbers. You need to remove the whole system the wheel
mounts to: In front the steering nuckle, in the rear the similar part on
your AWD Suby that does not have to steer. That means (in front) getting the
ball joints out, for example. I do think that price sounds outrageous, but
at least read what you have to do in a Haynes manual or something like that
before diving in...

I looked at the manual, and it looks tedious, but not impossible. The
front ones require disconnecting the brake hydralic lines. After
reassembly, bleeding the lines and realignment are needed.

The only big gotcha looked like the spring compressor, but spring
compressors are available at reasonable prices.

Mostly, I was hoping someone who had done it would comment that it
wasn't as bad (or was much worse) than what the manual suggested.

Mike

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I looked at the manual, and it looks tedious, but not impossible. The
front ones require disconnecting the brake hydralic lines. After
reassembly, bleeding the lines and realignment are needed.

The only big gotcha looked like the spring compressor, but spring
compressors are available at reasonable prices.

Mostly, I was hoping someone who had done it would comment that it
wasn't as bad (or was much worse) than what the manual suggested.

Mike

I'm sure you could post at www.ultimatesubaru.org or www.nasioc.com and
find not only a little advice, but possibly a link to some pictures.
Those sites have 'repair' areas associated with them but finding
precisely what you need may be tricky.

Carl