Replace Subaru Upper Control Arm and Rear Struts

I'm replacing worn suspension parts with salvaged parts that are still in good shape. This took pretty much all afternoon to accomplish! Was it worth it?
DISCLAIMER: MARK YOUNG MAKES NO WARRANTY/GUARANTEE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS VIDEO OR ON THIS PAGE/PLATFORM, DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THIRD PARTY SHARING. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL MARK YOUNG BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE IN ANY WAY FOR ANY CONTENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE CONTENT, EXPRESSLY OR IMPLIED, OR FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF ANY CONTENT COMMUNICATED OR IMPLIED IN THIS VIDEO AND/OR ON THIS PAGE/PLATFORM, WHETHER BY MARK YOUNG OR ANY THIRD PARTY. IN NO EVENT SHALL MARK YOUNG BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY CERTAIN, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OR USE OF ANY INFORMATION COMMUNICATED ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIDEO AND/OR PAGE/PLATFORM. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED SHOULD NOT REPLACE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. THIS AGREEMENT ALSO EXTENDS TO ANYONE AND/OR ANYTHING, THIRD PARTY, WHICH MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIDEO, PAGE/PLATFORM, AND/OR MARK YOUNG. MARK YOUNG MAY, AT ANY TIME, REVISE THE INFORMATION ON THIS VIDEO AND/OR PAGE/PLATFORM WITHOUT NOTICE, AND MAKES NO COMMITMENT TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION. NECESSARY SAFETY EQUIPMENT/ENVIRONMENT, DISPLAYED OR NOT, DISCUSSED OR NOT, IS UP TO THE USER TO DETERMINE WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY, THE SAFETY OF OTHERS, AND PROPERTY.

[@joeweaver9913]

Thanks for making this video. It is 18 degrees here and I wanted to get an idea of what this project is like without actually going out and looking at it! Our car is a generation later, but I expect it to be same procedure to remove/replace the upper control arm. Cheers!

[@contact4mwy7]

10 degrees here, not good weather to be wrenching in just yet! Thanks for the comment!

[@joeweaver9913]

@@contact4mwy7 I got it done and it was super easy! Glad I watched the video first. Basically the same on the 2008 Outback. Used floor jack to push the lower control arm up to help align the lower bolt. Very easy replacement

[@garyschwalm4842]

Nice job... thanks for sharing the knowledge and experience.

[@kdarnit]

Nice Job Mark. I agree with using used parts, it's the best form of recycling there is, the car is not new & doesn't need new stuff just repairing. That spring helper thingy is downright scary!

[@contact4mwy7]

Yeah, that spring helper thing, one on each side. Her car is closing in on 200,000 miles, so I feel good about decent quality replacement parts, but new might be overkill at this point on some items. Drives like new now! Thanks for the comment!

[@benjammin173]

Quite the adventure for sure! I'm not sure on the spring helper thing either, I'm sure some mechanic could explain it. Also be sure to put something under the frame of the car while you work on it without a tire, I could also see this going south fast for someone who isn't mechanically inclined!

[@contact4mwy7]

Good points! Thanks for commenting!

[@pirihern9329]

The replacement. Was it oem ? I get most of my parts from rockauto . I own a 2006 subie sti . I'm getting up in age. 67 with arthritis and diabetes will be getting rid of it soon. Diy repairs save mucho denero

[@contact4mwy7]

The replacements were taken off a similar year Subaru, so pretty much OEM. DIY is good when you have the strength and tools to do it. Not fun with arthritis! Thanks for the comment!

[@Farm_fab]

Then there's the guy that wanted to build an Italian style entirely of wood. Asked what he would call it, he replied, a lumbergini. Someone asked the name of the guy to which I replied, it wooden matter... Then there's the guy that wanted a fleet of Subaru's made of wood, so I said to him, let me guess, they'll call that one the Deforester...

[@Farm_fab]

I would love to see someone install a VW 1.4 TDI into a roo. They only get about 70 mpg.

[@Farm_fab]

Subaru spelled backwards spells u r a bus. Did you hear the one about the Japanese auto maker that makes a car that can be driven completely submerged? They call it a Scubaru...🙄

[@troygrass1713]

Hard worker 💪

[@wobblysauce]

Cold worker.

[@contact4mwy7]

I was a bit wet and cold from doing this in the driveway, but it makes you tough, right?! Lol

[@troygrass1713]

My dad called that working in God's garage

[@wobblysauce]

@@troygrass1713 That it is..

[@jotaudio1]

I'd love to know what magic you worked with that bar of angled steel! I'm trying to put new upper links in my outback and I've got a wicked angle at the 2nd (unbolted) end of the arm. It looks like I need to twist the entire knuckle for it to fit in correctly.

[@garyschwalm4842]

Same here... I was curious too.

[@jotaudio1]

@@garyschwalm4842 I ended up doing it on my car by using a large prybar and a large screw driver to line up the bushing holes with the mount holes.

[@garyschwalm4842]

Thanks James!!!