🔧 BRZ - Strut Replacement

Replacing struts on your BRZ means removing the strut assemblies from the suspension and installing new ones, then getting a wheel alignment so the car tracks straight and doesn’t chew up tires. The main “gotcha” is whether you’re installing complete quick-strut assemblies (easier) or swapping your springs onto new struts (requires a spring compressor).

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Never loosen the strut top center nut unless the spring is safely compressed (the spring stores a lot of energy).
• 🛑 Support the car with jack stands at proper lift points; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• 🛑 Keep fingers clear of pinch points between the knuckle and strut.
• 🛑 After strut work, you must get a professional alignment.
• 🛑 No battery disconnect is required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20–200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (10mm–19mm)
• Wrench set (10mm–19mm)
• Hex key set (metric)
• Pry bar
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flat trim tool
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (external clamp style) (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kit - Replace in pairs - Qty: 1
• Rear strut mount kit - Replace in pairs - Qty: 1
• Front sway bar end links - Optional if worn - Qty: 2
• Rear sway bar end links - Optional if worn - Qty: 2
• New strut-to-knuckle nuts/bolts - Optional if corroded - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, leave the car in gear, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks on the wheels staying on the ground.
• Spray strut lower bolts and sway-bar link nuts with penetrating oil 10–15 minutes before removal.
• Decide your parts approach:
  • Complete strut assemblies: easiest, no spring compressor.
  • Strut-only swap: requires a spring compressor (a tool that squeezes the coil spring shorter so it’s safe to take apart).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the BRZ

• Use a breaker bar 1/2" and 19mm socket to crack the lug nuts loose 1/2 turn (do not remove yet).
• Use a floor jack to lift the front (or rear) and place jack stands under the proper support points.
• Remove the wheels using a 19mm socket.
• When reinstalling wheels later: Torque to Subaru factory spec (use your service manual spec for wheel lug nuts).

Step 2: Unbolt the sway bar end link from the strut

• Use the correct socket (typically 14mm–17mm) and a metric hex key to hold the stud if it spins.
• If the nut is seized, re-apply penetrating oil and use a breaker bar 1/2".
• Reassembly: Torque to Subaru factory spec (end link nut).

Step 3: Free any brackets/lines attached to the strut

• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket to remove the brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut body (do not open brake lines).
• Reassembly: Torque to Subaru factory spec (bracket bolts).

Step 4: Mark the strut-to-knuckle position (helps alignment get close)

• Use a paint marker to trace around the strut-to-knuckle interface and bolt positions.
• This helps you drive to alignment.

Step 5: Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the knuckle lightly with a floor jack so it doesn’t drop and stress the axle/brake hose.
• Use a breaker bar 1/2" with the correct socket (typically 17mm–19mm) and matching wrench to remove the lower bolts/nuts.
• If it’s stuck, use a pry bar to gently separate the knuckle from the strut.
• Reassembly: Torque to Subaru factory spec (strut-to-knuckle bolts).

Step 6 (Front): Remove the upper strut mount nuts

• Open the hood.
• Use a socket (typically 12mm–14mm) to remove the strut mount nuts at the strut tower.
• Hold the strut from below as you remove the last nut, then lift the strut assembly out.
• Reassembly: Torque to Subaru factory spec (upper mount nuts).

Step 6 (Rear): Access and remove the upper strut mount nuts

• Open the trunk and remove trim panels as needed using a flat trim tool.
• Use a socket (typically 12mm–14mm) to remove the upper mount nuts.
• Support the strut from below, remove the last nut, and remove the strut assembly.
• Reassembly: Torque to Subaru factory spec (upper mount nuts).

Step 7: If you are swapping springs (skip if using complete assemblies)

• Install the spring compressor (external clamp style) (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and tighten evenly with a wrench set.
• Compress until the spring is loose in the perch (you can rotate it by hand).
• Remove the strut top center nut using the correct socket and a metric hex key to hold the shaft if required.
• Transfer spring and mounts to the new strut in the same orientation.
• Tighten the top center nut: Torque to Subaru factory spec (strut shaft nut).
• Slowly release the compressor evenly until the spring is fully seated.

Step 8: Install the new strut assembly

• Position the strut into the tower and hand-start the upper mount nuts using the correct socket.
• Align the lower strut with the knuckle and insert bolts using the correct socket and wrench.
• Reconnect the sway bar end link using the correct socket and hex key.
• Reattach brake hose/ABS brackets using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket.
• Final tightening:
  • Torque to Subaru factory spec (upper mount nuts)
  • Torque to Subaru factory spec (strut-to-knuckle bolts)
  • Torque to Subaru factory spec (end link nut)

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Install wheels and snug lug nuts using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the car using a floor jack, then use a torque wrench 1/2" to finish tightening.
• Torque to Subaru factory spec (wheel lug nuts).

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✅ After Repair

• 🔎 Double-check all brackets and wiring are clipped/bolted back to the struts.
• Turn the steering lock-to-lock slowly and confirm nothing stretches or rubs.
• Test drive at low speed first; listen for clunks over bumps.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible (same day if you can).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹18,000-₹45,000 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: ₹10,000-₹30,000 (parts only, alignment extra)

You Save: ₹8,000-₹15,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor rates vary in Panipat; most shops bill 2.5–4.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.

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Two quick questions so I can give you the exact torque specs for your BRZ:

• ❓ Are you replacing front, rear, or all four struts?
• ❓ Are you installing complete strut assemblies or strut-only inserts (reusing your springs)?