Best Subaru Strut Replacement Video

[@liveinmyamerica]

Your not spoiled with the lift, I watch many years of you crawling under vehicles, you earned it. Thanks Brian.

[@briansmobile1]

+liveinmyamerica I'm pretty grateful to have it. I feel spoiled.

[@patrickzadd5215]

Brian you are a very skilled Mechanic and an excellent Teacher!

[@Mr.M1STER]

Cool video. I also love how easy Japanese cars are to work on.

[@sm870621345]

those strut tamers are amazing, easily my favorite tool in the shop. I actually look forward to strut jobs and enjoy them now.

[@cobannie]

PS. Thanks for having one of the most informative mechanic channels on KZbin. I also enjoy your gun videos and in so jealous you have a lift in your shop!!!

[@briansmobile1]

+cobannie Thank you!

[@aDIYCarGuy]

I love driving in the snow, and skiing.

[@marciaewell2661]

Hey Brian, love your "style"! I just watched your buddy South Main Auto Repair video on strut replacement on 07 Forester and the bump stop is orientated big side up, like a mushroom cap. It makes sense to me to have it big side up so when you hit a pothole, the bigger stiffer part of the rubber bump stop is what takes the initial impact and then as it compresses down the smaller end eventually smashes out. I have changed out a ton of normal shocks in my life, but not sure if I want to take on renting a cheap spring compressor and risk an accident. I might see if I can find someone with a spring compressor to install new struts into old springs for me or maybe just "spring" for whole new strut assembly, haha, pun intended. See you on the hill on a powder day, you will be easy to recognize in the blizzard.

[@hugeslacker]

Those axess sockets come in handy doing a lot of suspension work.

[@grimmvargo]

dude your video helped so much i just did this all 4 shocks on my 02 imprezza outback.super helpful

[@tomkhach]

Hi Brian. Thanks for your videos. They helped me to do DIY on Subaru Impreza 2000.

[@snocrushr]

Great video, with some really good explanations of suspension components. The Extra footage segment brought up some suspension semantics .... my 2cents is that dampeners make things wet and dampers reduce oscillation. So a pothole full of water could be a dampener if you drove through it, and the damper (shock or strut cartridge) would reduce of oscillation of the spring when you did. ;-)

[@briansmobile1]

+snocrushr Excellent word smithing. I see what you did there! ha ha! I remember being able to speak English well. I miss it.

[@11green11]

Daaang! Once again you are the only guy with info for workin on my wagon 🙏 thank you sir for all you did with these posts 🤗🕺

[@briansmobile1]

You're welcome- glad to hear from you!

[@Drew99GT]

4:40 That strut was happy to see you!

[@Houdinii1212]

that tool would be so helpfull when doing struts on town and countries. every time it throw those things on the alignment rack the camber is always WAY out since the new struts come with sloted lower holes.

[@bradnimbus4836]

I KNEW IT! Brian's a viking! lmao! Thanks again for your fine work and for taking the time to share with us. Hope you and your family have a great Christmas.

[@npuentesm]

Great video! It's crazy how many subbies serve as ski cars in the states. Down here in Chile something like Yeti is more suitable and safe in regards of roads conditions to go up to the mountains. BTW that utah pow looks sick!

[@lorrinbarth1969]

The gas pressure in pressurized stuts is an attempt to make the strut work better. Pressure on the oil helps keep it from foaming or boiling. In other words, a pressurized strut is a heavy duty strut.

[@mjcooperman]

Nice timing. Getting ready to change mine on my 97 :) The beard is looking pretty mint, too! All the best, mate.

[@kengoodwin5906]

Thanks for explaining the alignment issue at the end of the video. Maybe you have an alignment video showing better detail of the strut mounts and how they can be moved to affect the alignment angle. Also, if a person doesn't have the angle tool you have, you might mention that getting an alignment by a pro is necessary after doing this strut replacement job.

[@briansmobile1]

+Ken Goodwin Yes of course.

[@USMC142]

That chin strap is awesome. Helps support the horns for ramming!.. LOL.

[@fockyoumang]

I did the shocks and struts on my mother's car, it was my first time ever attempting it. It was so hard lining it up to the three bolt holes on the top in the trunk.

[@donald1056]

That light on the impact driver is VERY handy!!!

[@briansmobile1]

+Donald Ellett I love it. I wish my air ratchet had that.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Merry Christmas Brian!

[@heyitschinoable]

Hey Eric, not sure if you remember but, i remember u had a hard time doing struts on the subaru because of the top nut. And i was going to recommend you the pass through socket that Brians using. 10:43 min

[@SouthMainAuto]

Well I use my angle through wrenches but sometimes with the aftermarket nuts taking a 19mm instead of a 17mm and so on, they are just to thick.

[@briansmobile1]

+South Main Auto Repair Thanks Eric- Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@Motorsportsgeek]

I would of got sti strut assembly. Around here they are so many of them sold used in jdm stores or just privately. My friends wrx strunts went out and got the sti's all around, it really feels planted now and rides just as great, nothing harsh or stiff. I don't know how the JDM used market is around you but over here they're every where and 250$ for 4 struts that look and drive brand new ( 120k on them) is a great deal compared to average after market stock replacement.

[@briansmobile1]

+ltwargssf R Not a bad idea man! This year Sti rear struts are prone to clunk pretty bad. I have a video on how to fix it. Once you put a grease zerk on them, they're great.

[@Motorsportsgeek]

I remember that video actually, great tips man. How come you're not running studs on those tires ?

[@briansmobile1]

+ltwargssf R Expenses. This new house has lots of expenses. I about broke the bank freeing up REX from grocery getting duties. I would LOVE a sponsored set, but I can't afford them at the moment. I could really use ANY insulation in the garage too. It's as drafty as the Vietnam war out there!

[@briansmobile1]

+briansmobile1 The Vietnam war had 648,500 soldiers drafted- that's a lot of draft. It could be a lot worse though. I've got sheetrock and I put up seals and insulation on the doors. And that's why I didn't say WWII. WWII saw about 10 million draftees. That's REALLY drafty. Plus many had to fight in the snow in the Battle of the Bulge through Poland, Romania, Germany, France, and Czechoslovakia too. That will put some hair on ya!

[@prosoundlive8676]

Nice footage of Powder Mountain Road! But anyway, my only suggestion is that you include a bit more info on the 2 bolts that go through the knuckle(for us idiots) the shows which one has the Cam and about marking that bolt if you don't have one of those handy dandy little magnetic gadgets. May seem trivial but i honestly don't remember which is which and it would be very helpful info to include for a lot of people. Thanks!!!

[@klc317]

Nice work. I bet that little car is a blast in the snow there since you don't really care about the paint and all. I remember an Eric the Car Guy saying.....reliable POS is the best vehicle to own!

[@briansmobile1]

+klc317 ETCG1 did a whole video "Why mechanics don't drive nice cars" right around the time I got that brand new truck. He's right. As a mechanic who pays nothing for labor but time and parts come at a discount- even if from the wrecking yard- you can't beat the satisfaction of a beater that's been bettered. One of my favorite cars EVER was a 1995 Ford Aspire I got for $500 when my Civic got stolen. It was suposed to be a pinch hitter till the insurance paid out or the car showed up, but after the Civic came home and Allstate went full cheapskate on us, I held onto the Aspire because it was such a hero desert car with the tall snow tires I put on it. I put a rack on it and hauled a whole shed project piece by piece. I used it like a truck because it was cheap. It was a better feature to that car than leather seats or satelite navagation. It opened all kinds of opportunities! Relatives in town? Lend them Ort. (we called the little Ford Aspire Ort- ort is short for short)

[@klc317]

Ha! Thats great. Come to think of it I don't recall seeing any Aspires on the road anymore. I guess they're all rusted, crushed, and gone now.

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

+briansmobile1 You shortened short for ort? Too cool, lol.

[@Aaku13]

Such a good video, I feel like I could replace my struts now!

[@Daarispieter]

Excellent how-to! P.S. Willieb66's explanation is right, but his statement is wrong. These are indeed struts! When you remove them, the suspension system has become incomplete - the wheel's travel path is no longer defined. So yes, they are an intergral part of the suspension system. Cheers!

[@Tat2Dragons]

As usual, great job Brian. Nice use of a Bob Seger song. :)

[@briansmobile1]

+Tat2Dragons MAN I love that song. He nailed it with that one. Great riffs and feel.

[@Tat2Dragons]

briansmobile1 Yeah, that's a great song and a lot of his songs have great riffs and feeling.

[@charlesmurray1220]

Can we see you do it again with a floor jack and without a lift? Just for fun.

[@wysetech2000]

Nice job, Brian. Have the best Christmas and New Year to you and your Family.

[@DENicholsAutoBravado]

12:30 was a little trick with the rubber pads, below and above the spring, that I just didn't know, thanks man! I always pushed on the wrong side. I didn't know if I pulled instead that it could go better. 6 percent of a degree off the previous camber is definitely good enough...it assumes it was right before. ;)

[@Thermoman69691]

Best video by far... and I will be following your video as you made it look like fun ;)) but I've cheated as mine are complete with the springs fitted and the reason why, is because both garages I took my Forester to gave my different opinions... one opting for original only because it has the self levelling type, and the other stating that aftermarket struts won't take the weight of the vehicle... I did call a parts service and they assured me that the struts would take the load and won't sag... but there's many mix feedbacks about this, so found that Pedders EziFix kit is like the original and is the best suited to the self levelling... I didn't feel confident about both garages and suspension is complex tertiary especially if clueless... I've got a few years about motorcycles so have learnt about how all this up and down works... but to someone who doesn't have this side of mechanical brain you could end up being lost to their expense... there isn't a video explaining how a failed spring would look like compared to a failed strut and what sag would be recognised in both... looking at my Scoob I would've thought the springs had failed because of the sag... but later found out that those particular struts do take some of the weight too. Great video and a big thumbs up for making this brilliant video ;)))

[@RobsPackanShine]

cool video...ty i just changed my struts 2 weeks ago...oh what a difference in the ride now

[@rolo4445]

great video Brian thanks, would have been nice if you showed how to deal with the brake line since the bracket holding the line is close and modification is needed in order to work around that.

[@Jafromobile]

lol! Your thumbnails crack me up, man!

[@TGsrao1989]

Hey Jafro! Hows the Hyundai flying?

[@Jafromobile]

Aside from a seized wheel bearing which I'll have fixed shortly, its condition is much-improved. :) Thanks man! I'm glad to see you hanging out here!

[@sezwo5774]

Nice video, thanks. I'm about to put new struts on my '00 Impreza and watching this tutorial makes me feel more confident I can manage the job. I have a question should I re-use the bolts and nuts (the two bolts that attach the strut to the knuckle)? I've heard its better to replace, but is it really needed? Mine seem in good shape visually (California car, no rust). Anyone care to comment? Thanks.

[@ashleyrhodes147]

Your the original cool cats and kittens 😂

[@brianfarnell9833]

Brian - great video. Do you see any difference with the KYB quick struts versus these? I don’t have a spring compressor and I hear those rental ones are really cheap and dangerous. Considering buying the complete new ones with spring but I have heard many of these are inferior. Thanks

[@cobannie]

I first subscribed over a year or two ago because of your past videos on other cars. I soon saw how Easy the Subaru is for access & repairs in your videos. I've got a 97 Camry just under 310,000, a 3400 02 Impala at 260,000, and because of your videos we just bought a 2012 Subaru Outback for kid hauling & North Dakota winters. It's amazing how accessible everything is on the 2.5! For a daily commute 60 miles each way, would you recommend a CVT 2.5L Legacy, or an older WRX? The Camry & Impala will get me about 1.5 to 2 years before I need a newer commuter - just not sure what's best or what budget range to look for. Suggestions?

[@briansmobile1]

+cobannie The 2.5L is more comfortable and driveable. The WRX is the best for on ramps, passing, and general fun.

[@williamgraham9201]

You've obviously not replaced the spark plugs ...

[@haydenc2742]

Daggum!! Your guns had guns! Great bid!

[@charlesmurray1220]

You guys are great. Thank you!!!

[@jimmah4life]

lol'd at the thumbnail way more than I should have.

[@mariom1090]

hi brian i got a subaru sti 2006. i have a problem with my rear shock. the shock plate attached to the car came off from the spot welds and i cant seem to find anything about this problem on you tube. i spoke to my mecanic and he said only body shops can fix this. have u ever experience this kind of problem on subarus thanks hope to here from u

[@ronarndt6722]

Hey Brian, thanks again for another great video and taking the time to make them. Great details and tips. This is exactly what I will be tackling on our 02 WRX sedan. BTW, do you already have a video about replacing the Trans valve body on a Subaru about the same year?

[@rudysison9010]

I don't have that cool spring compression tool, can I just use a manual spring compressor?

[@Rustyrailhead]

How much time does it take an experienced mechanic to do the rear and front struts on a 2011 Forester.

[@agm5148]

I have an 09 Forester with just over 86k miles, do you think the struts should be replaced? Great video.

[@bennyboyy7]

My struts aren't leaking or showing much testing signs that they are worn. It does squeak occasionally when I get out but it sounds more like a sway link. The ride quality it horrid though. Big bumps it takes okay but the little and mild bumps are making the car jump in the back. Feels like hitting the brakes hard in a fwd car and trying to turn. The back end tends to jump out to the side a little, the mild bumps I can feel the struts barely keeping the car from bouncing over and over and over. Bounces about 3 or 4 times with them. Not sure how it's handling the big bumps okay but it is. I work out in the city and they might as well have washboard roads with how lazy they "fix" them. Patch work everywhere that plows tear up every winter IF it lasts till winter

[@mickberlin369]

Once you set the struts back at the same location as the damaged / worn out location of the old strut ,where your tyres are / wearing , wouldn't the angle be changed simply because the new struts aren't warn out and be sitting in the location they should be at ?

[@tpelvin]

Any option if you don't have a digital level?? Am also reading some really bad reviews of Car Part Kings online....

[@joebriggs9599]

Brian what about a quick strut from monroe for the home mechanic.

[@briansmobile1]

+Joe Briggs I've installed those on many a Ford Focus, Escort, and Taurus with a broken spring. They're a great way to save some money when your stuff is shot and your spring compressor options seem dangerous.

[@bonecollecter_30gaming73]

I need to replace struts on a 2000 Subaru Forester and I don't know if I should get the springs with it too, they've never been replaced before

[@3lifebros]

Hi Brian. I'm once again searching for another video, hopefully you've got it. Firstly, thanks for this one as I'm sure I'll be doing strut replacements in the not too distant future. Secondly, my front control/cradle arm bushings are shot. I'm hoping to replace them by the coming weekend and wondering if you got any vids on that. Thirdly....where did you get that kickass Subaru t-shirt?! I got to get me one of that! Thumbs up!

[@isaaclawson3126]

Thanks... Gonna dig and do it

[@rudysison9010]

How much for that expensive magnet to come close to that rear alignment?

[@jharris280zx]

Now I have a reason to buy a pass-through ratchet.

[@sarahoilman5086]

Was just told by the mechanic I can't use the old coil (thing) and my back stuts did not come with them? Looks like you used the old one is that correct? 🤔

[@briansmobile1]

I did. Are yours broken? Or does your mechanic not have the tools/desire to re use them I wonder? I see broken Ford Focus coils all the time, but not Subaru.

[@draperb1]

sweet car and great video! I own a 1994 subaru legacy turbo wagon

[@weirdbeard1980]

I coach skiing in tahoe and love it but always wanted to get over and ski Utah.

[@ryanteter]

Brian, I am going to replace the rear struts on our 2012 Forester. Mechanics are quoting me $355 for labor... compress springs, install new bumpers, bellows, and mount. Can't afford it. What am I missing? It seems like a simple job. The fronts were super easy. Is there something different with the rears?

[@ericsalzman5065]

I have a 11 legacy original struts. I'm sure I need new but it handles well it's just loud???? Could it just be the strut mounts???

[@envoy3]

Thanks for the video man! I hav a ts wagon and my struts have been creaking for the last couple months until they finally seized up last week(i imagine that's what happened, they don't even rebound right now). Got the KYB struts and your instructions were very insightful. will you go back and eventually redo the alignment? or are you simply going to have them both at that camber that you ended up on?

[@jacksonmenke518]

Hey Brian! I have an 02 wrx with all sorts of gummed up suspension. I should have looked at it better when I bought it.... my fault. But, it has some crappy coilovers in the front that are not adjustable because the colars are rust welded to the strut. The back is another story.. it has a stock spring and strut on one side, and a stock strut with a lowering spring on the other side. yeah. I was wondering if you knew of a good place to get all 4 new struts and springs?

[@briansmobile1]

+Jackson Menke Word on the street is look for some take-offs from an Sti on a forum or JDM shop.

[@reggiewrinkle7998]

looking to raise my old outback a couple of inches. What is your opinion of using 2 inch lift spacers that mount on top of strut, Brian?

[@MyLeftFoot23]

If the silicon grease is not used will it make the struts sound creaky?

[@GhettoWagon]

Did you fix the door so the lift can go to its full lift height?

[@scottwhite8036]

What is the best brand of struts that I can buy for my 97 Subaru Outback

[@moderndino]

What do you have to say about the center diff viscous fluid tightening up when warmed from normal driving, leading to binding in parking lot turns? Gar

[@R0T3]

Are those winter tires? They look like swedish summer tires...

[@grimmvargo]

ski Viking... where did you get those strut stoppers?

[@carvermarks]

A Viking skier and a subaru guy! ( I'm an absolute car idiot, but jusdt found my ski car--98 Subaru Legacy--guess I'll be watching a lot of these.

[@iimprezius841]

If you check Subaru Service Manual for GD/GG Impreza they call it 'Strut Assembly'. There you go ;)

[@fockyoumang]

what's a double wishbone McPherson strut? My 01 Wolfsburg had them and my Honda prelude si had them.

[@janelleginoboli]

do the struts cause a knocking noise when driving?

[@Longtrailside]

Did you get any videos of you driving in the snow?

[@briansmobile1]

+Longtrailside I did on the dashcam, but it's on the R1 which is crazy hard to preview. I ran out of time in editing. Way too many files to go through and upload.

[@chihuahuaverde425]

Great video.

[@benjamn8557]

thanks, helpful video

[@rudysison9010]

Check you out on that Slope dude!

[@samo928elias]

LIMP BISCUIT!!!!! i laughed so hard

[@SoundGuyDavo]

Briansmobile1 I've had nothing but early failures and crappy ride from Monroe SensaTrac. If KYB isn't that great either, I'm undecided on a brand to try next. It's a shame there are not STI type parts cross referenced parts across the board, for non STI Subarus.

[@phild8965]

+SoundGuyDavo Bilstein HD or Sport, and Koni yellows are your best friend. I have an '05 wrx wagon with the konis

[@waltershulas623]

Happy new year

[@seshachary5580]

VERY EDUCATIVE THANK YOU

[@scottwoodin6194]

Brian, what kind of boot and dampener do you use?

[@rd946]

Love the T-shirt!

[@jeffbohn2576]

Great pointers on the "capture" Nut.. the strut will drop and tear the brake hoses off.. UGH!!

[@Densoy]

Nice catch basin. hehehe...

[@jaksmith6465]

how do you know its not the spring ?

[@frisky117]

I WISH YOU HAD USED THE COMPRESSOR THAT THE DIY GUYS WILL USE...THE ONE FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE RENTAL...

[@brendahernandez6749]

awesome video very informative

[@davidstarsky100]

Good job

[@ToddLarsen]

That thumbnail hahahaha

[@BobPattersonII]

I am having trouble getting the rear strut out of wheel well I took the top nuts off and the two on bottom and it's very tight to pull out and the ABS cable is making it hard to get out someone said to me to undo the knuckle I didn't see that in the video I have a 1999 Subaru Legacy GT sedan

[@BobPattersonII]

I had bought the quick struts online which is so much nicer than having to take the old spring off

[@thegreatfalcon5]

summer tires in snow????

[@briansmobile1]

+Ben Caron I have the Nokian studded snow tires on now.

[@MuddyDrivewayProductions]

You Sir are awesome!

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks buddy! YOU are awesome!

[@cultusmechanicus8001]

where did you get the 4wd badge ????

[@briansmobile1]

Off an Isuzu Rodeo. The front badge that says 03 is an inverted EO section of a RODEO badge. Different.

[@lifeisgood070]

Wow rock auto is way cheaper than car part king. Never heard of cart part king, freaked out cause I just ordered on rock auto and thought I missed a deal. Maybe car part king is listed in canadian dollars. It would make more sense then.

[@carvermarks]

so . . . 9:24 . . . boots don't come with struts?

[@TheSunSol1]

I was taught the samething, but was told not to turn over the dead car while the donors car is running. since that would instantly pull 24 volts off the donor cars alt.

[@briansmobile1]

+tonymoran6679 If you let the car run for at least 30 seconds it makes all the difference. It basically charges the dead car up like trickle filling a bucket with a hose. As for 24 volts..... nope. Volts are pressure. Amps are flow or volume. Cars are always 12-19 volts 13-14 volts if everything is working right. When you start a car there's a lot of flow or ampere's drawn.

[@lensinsight4552]

hey Brian, we're you in St. Lucia recently?

[@briansmobile1]

+Lenroy Remy Ya, summer before last on a cruise to celebrate my brothers graduation.

[@lensinsight4552]

Thought I saw you. Good thing I didn't shout out. You got fans in St. Lucia. Leant a lot from you to. Keep the great work up.