Post by moemoney313 on Jul 27, 2013 14:19:02 GMT -5
I have a 1994 Subaru Justy DL with 125,000 miles on it. My struts were gone! I was going to wait and write this after doing the front too, but got too excited from just doing the rears! Had to share with everyone!
Be forewarned, the struts are cheap, but the fedex ship from England is expensive! Still it was cheaper than any price I found at any dealer! These are KYB aftermarket struts that fit the Justy! I bought all 4 and the upper strut mounts and rear dust covers for less than 4 struts from the dealer. I was a little anxious because the rear strut was to fit either side. In the dealer parts book it had a different number for left or right.
This is what I found ... the rear struts are identical except for the nuts being held in place by a welded bracket that was on the inside mounting of each strut ... one left and one right! The new struts had nuts that came with them to replace the ones on the old struts. Red locktite should do the trick! If you feel that is not enough you can have a local muffler shop spot weld the nuts in place after torquing to spec.
The struts came off easy enough but if I had to do it again I would have left the original dust cover on and undo the upper strut mount with an impact gun. Make sure your upper strut mount is still good.
After having done one side I knee tested it. Pushing down on the back bumper with my knee it barely moved. The side I had not done was easy to push down. I thought this was going to be one hard riding Justy, but to my surprise it rode better than before ... firm but supple! That was just doing the rear! Once I finish the front I will better be able to tell you.
NOTE: Tried to do the front but found that the bearing seal on the upper spring plate was cracked. I ended up putting the front back together until I can get the right replacement parts.
Also I found that the replacement KYB upper strut mount was different, causing the front to sit higher.
Be forewarned, the struts are cheap, but the fedex ship from England is expensive! Still it was cheaper than any price I found at any dealer! These are KYB aftermarket struts that fit the Justy! I bought all 4 and the upper strut mounts and rear dust covers for less than 4 struts from the dealer. I was a little anxious because the rear strut was to fit either side. In the dealer parts book it had a different number for left or right.
This is what I found ... the rear struts are identical except for the nuts being held in place by a welded bracket that was on the inside mounting of each strut ... one left and one right! The new struts had nuts that came with them to replace the ones on the old struts. Red locktite should do the trick! If you feel that is not enough you can have a local muffler shop spot weld the nuts in place after torquing to spec.
The struts came off easy enough but if I had to do it again I would have left the original dust cover on and undo the upper strut mount with an impact gun. Make sure your upper strut mount is still good.
After having done one side I knee tested it. Pushing down on the back bumper with my knee it barely moved. The side I had not done was easy to push down. I thought this was going to be one hard riding Justy, but to my surprise it rode better than before ... firm but supple! That was just doing the rear! Once I finish the front I will better be able to tell you.
NOTE: Tried to do the front but found that the bearing seal on the upper spring plate was cracked. I ended up putting the front back together until I can get the right replacement parts.
Also I found that the replacement KYB upper strut mount was different, causing the front to sit higher.