🔧 Outback - Shock/Strut Replacement

On your Outback, the front suspension uses struts (shock + spring assembly) and the rear uses shock absorbers. Replacing worn units restores ride control, reduces bouncing, and helps tire wear and braking stability.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours (all four)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the vehicle with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses and mechanic gloves; rust and debris fall easily.
• ⚠️ If disassembling front struts, a spring compressor is required; the spring stores dangerous energy.
• 🧭 Plan for a 4-wheel alignment after any front strut replacement.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Lug nut socket 19mm
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set 3/8" drive (10mm-19mm)
• Socket set 1/2" drive (14mm-22mm)
• Wrench set (10mm-19mm)
• Allen key set (metric)
• Pry bar 18"
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip removal tool
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Rubber mallet
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies (recommended for beginners; includes spring) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front upper strut mounts (if worn/noisy) - Qty: 2
• Front bump stops & dust boots (if not included) - Qty: 2
• Rear upper shock mounts (if worn/noisy) - Qty: 2
• Rear bump stops & dust boots (if not included) - Qty: 2
• New self-locking nuts/bolts for strut-to-knuckle and shock mounts (recommended) - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, put the shifter in P, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels.
• 📏 Measure ride height (center of wheel to fender) at all corners and write it down; it helps confirm the fix.
• 🧴 Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolts and rear lower shock bolts 10-20 minutes before removal.
• ❓ Quick check so I can tailor this perfectly: are you replacing front struts, rear shocks, or all four?
• ❓ Are you using complete front strut assemblies (recommended) or reusing your springs (requires spring compressor)?

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove wheels

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2" to crack lug nuts loose with the vehicle on the ground.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front (or rear) and place on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove lug nuts with the 19mm lug nut socket and take the wheels off.

Step 2: Front struts (left/right) - detach lines and link

• Turn the steering to access the strut area.
• Remove the brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket (varies by bracket).
• Remove the sway bar end link from the strut using a 14mm or 17mm socket and a metric Allen key to hold the stud if it spins. End link stud often spins—use Allen key.

Step 3: Front struts - separate strut from knuckle

• Mark the relationship of the strut to the knuckle using a paint marker to help preserve alignment.
• Support the knuckle/hub so it doesn’t pull on the axle using the floor jack.
• Remove the two strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using 19mm-22mm sockets (size varies by hardware) and a breaker bar 1/2".
• If the bolts are stuck, tap them out with a rubber mallet and use a pry bar 18" to gently spread/position the knuckle.
• Torque: Use a torque wrench 1/2" and tighten to the Subaru OEM spec. (Reply to the two questions above and I’ll give the exact ft-lbs/Nm for your configuration.)

Step 4: Front struts - remove from the body

• Open the hood.
• Remove the three upper strut mount nuts using a 12mm or 14mm socket (varies by mount). Leave one nut loosely threaded until you’re holding the strut.
• Hold the strut, remove the last upper nut with the 12mm or 14mm socket, and lower the strut out.
• Torque: Tighten upper mount nuts with a torque wrench 3/8" to the Subaru OEM spec.

Step 5: Front struts - swap in the new unit

• If using complete front strut assemblies, position the new strut and hand-start the three top nuts using a 12mm or 14mm socket.
• Align the lower strut to the knuckle and install the two lower bolts/nuts using 19mm-22mm sockets.
• Reconnect the sway bar end link using a 14mm or 17mm socket and metric Allen key.
• Reinstall ABS/brake hose brackets using a 10mm/12mm socket.
• Torque: Final-tighten all fasteners using a torque wrench to Subaru OEM specs once the vehicle is at normal ride height (wheels on the ground). Prevents bushing twist and noise.

Step 6: Rear shocks (left/right) - access the upper mount

• In the cargo area, remove the rear side trim panels as needed to reach the upper shock mount nuts using a trim clip removal tool.
• Use a socket set 3/8" to loosen (do not fully remove yet) the upper shock mount nuts.

Step 7: Rear shocks - remove lower bolt and remove shock

• Support the rear control arm with the floor jack.
• Remove the lower shock bolt/nut using 17mm-19mm sockets and a breaker bar 1/2".
• Now remove the upper nuts fully using the socket set 3/8" and pull the shock out.
• Torque: Reinstall and tighten upper and lower fasteners using a torque wrench to Subaru OEM specs.

Step 8: Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench 1/2" to Subaru OEM wheel lug torque spec.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Road test at low speed first. Listen for clunks over bumps and confirm the steering returns to center.
• 🧷 Recheck all visible brackets (ABS wire and brake hose) to ensure nothing is stretched or rubbing.
• 🧭 Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible after front struts.
• 🔩 Re-torque lug nuts after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench 1/2".

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $1,200-$2,400 (parts + labor, all four)

DIY Cost: $450-$1,300 (parts only, depends on complete assemblies vs bare struts)

You Save: $750-$1,100 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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