May need to replace Struts on 1994 Leagacy

[volleybiggs]

I hear a click click when I drive down bump dirt roads. Dont hear it
any other time. The axel is fine. I had both replaced earlier since
the boot was split.
I have never had the struts replaced. Does the click click sound like
a strut problem?
I have replace many parts and do my own work on the car. Can the
struts be done with out having a lift?
Thanks!

 

[johninky]

Noise could be coming from the top bearings. But since the struts are
original, I would just replace all of them and the top bearings and
call it a done deal. Don't need a lift but will need a spring
compressor. Mark the strut/knuckle location for the front struts to
avoid having to do an alignment. The upper bolt has a "cam" shank.
Rears are not adjustable so no need to mark them.

That "cup" the top of the springs sits in should be marked with a this
side out. May be just a hole but they all need to go back the way
they came out.

 

[Dominic Richens]

I hear a click click when I drive down bump dirt roads. Dont hear it
any other time. The axel is fine. I had both replaced earlier since
the boot was split.
I have never had the struts replaced. Does the click click sound like
a strut problem?
I have replace many parts and do my own work on the car. Can the
struts be done with out having a lift?

Are they leaking? I just replace the struts on my 95 Legacy, after
340,000km. The signs were "wobble" noise on bumpy roads, understearing on
bumpy corners and the fact that when I push down on the bumper the car
oscillates up and down.

 

[John]

Are they leaking? I just replace the struts on my 95 Legacy, after
340,000km. The signs were "wobble" noise on bumpy roads, understearing on
bumpy corners and the fact that when I push down on the bumper the car
oscillates up and down.

That will do it.
Did you notice any steering issues like when you would accelarate the
vehicle would veer a bit to the right and then slowing down it would veer
left? I have 136K miles on this '00 OBW and trying to figure out if its the
struts (original) or some other front-end issue.

 

[Dominic Richens]

That will do it.
Did you notice any steering issues like when you would accelarate the
vehicle would veer a bit to the right and then slowing down it would veer
left? I have 136K miles on this '00 OBW and trying to figure out if its
the struts (original) or some other front-end issue.

That could be worn tie-rod end on one side (passenger side? - best check
both).

Jack up the car, remove the wheel and check for play. Catastrophic tie-rod
end failure is nasty.