🔧 Outback - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This guide covers replacing the front strut assemblies on your Outback. For a first-time DIYer, the safest method is using complete loaded strut assemblies, which come preassembled with the spring, mount, and strut already together.

Assumption: This procedure is for the front struts. The rear suspension uses shock-style dampers, not front-style struts.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not disassemble the coil spring unless you have a professional-grade spring compressor. A compressed spring can cause serious injury.
• ⚠️ Use complete loaded strut assemblies for beginner-safe replacement.
• ⚠️ Always support your Outback with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Replace front struts in pairs so the vehicle handles and brakes evenly.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is required after replacing front struts.
• ⚠️ Disconnecting the battery is not required for this repair.

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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
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 6mm hex key socket
• Flat trim clip tool
• Paint marker
• Rubber mallet
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete loaded strut assemblies - Left and Right - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• Front sway bar link nuts - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Outback on level ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts, sway bar link nuts, and brake hose bracket bolts.
• A loaded strut assembly means the spring and upper mount are already installed, so you do not need to compress the spring.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the front lug nuts about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of your Outback at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands under the proper front side support points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them aside.

Step 4: Mark the Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the position of the lower strut bracket against the steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the metal part that holds the wheel hub and connects to the strut.
• This mark helps keep alignment close enough to drive safely to an alignment shop.

Step 5: Remove the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut.
• Use a flat trim clip tool to release any ABS wire clips attached to the strut.
• The ABS wire is the small sensor wire for the anti-lock brake system. Do not pull on it.

Step 6: Disconnect the Front Sway Bar Link

• Use a 17mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the sway bar link nut from the strut.
• If the stud spins, hold the center with a 6mm hex key socket while turning the nut with a 17mm wrench.
• The sway bar link connects the suspension to the anti-roll bar and helps reduce body lean in turns.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Place the floor jack lightly under the lower control arm or knuckle area.
• Do not lift the vehicle. Just support the suspension so it does not drop suddenly.
• Protect the axle from over-stretching.

Step 8: Remove the Lower Strut Bolts

• Use a 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the two large strut-to-knuckle nuts and bolts.
• Remove the lower bolt first, then the upper bolt.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolts out if they are stuck.
• Do not let the knuckle pull outward sharply because that can stress the CV axle.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Locate the three upper strut mount nuts at the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the three upper nuts.
• Hold the strut with one hand while removing the final nut so it does not fall.
• Do not remove the large center nut on the strut assembly.

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Lower the old strut out through the wheel well by hand.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch gently if the lower bracket is stuck to the knuckle.
• Compare the old and new strut assemblies before installation.

Step 11: Install the New Loaded Strut Assembly

• Guide the new loaded strut assembly up into the strut tower by hand.
• Install the three upper mount nuts by hand first to prevent cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the upper mount nuts to Torque to 20 Nm (15 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reattach the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Line up the lower strut bracket with the steering knuckle using your paint marks as a guide.
• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the knuckle slightly until the bolt holes line up.
• Install the upper and lower strut-to-knuckle bolts by hand.
• Use a 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the strut-to-knuckle nuts to Torque to 155 Nm (114 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reconnect the Sway Bar Link

• Install the sway bar link into the strut bracket by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the sway bar link nut to Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• If the stud spins, hold it with a 6mm hex key socket and tighten with a 17mm wrench.

Step 14: Reinstall Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to reinstall the brake hose bracket bolt.
• Tighten the brake hose bracket bolt snugly to Torque to 18 Nm (13 ft-lbs).
• Use a flat trim clip tool if needed to seat the ABS wire clips into the new strut bracket.
• Make sure the brake hose and ABS wire are not twisted or stretched.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 14 on the opposite front strut.
• Always replace both front struts together.

Step 16: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Install both front wheels by hand.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack, remove the jack stands, and lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of your Outback gently by hand. It should settle quickly without clunking.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Listen for rubbing, popping, or pulling wires.
• ✅ Test drive slowly at first. Avoid highway speeds until the vehicle feels stable.
• ✅ Schedule a front wheel alignment immediately after strut replacement.
• ✅ Recheck the lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $750-$1,250 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $300-$600 (parts only, alignment extra)

You Save: $350-$650 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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