2077 Subaru Forester rear struts

My buddys forester has a bad strut (so says a local exhaust shop that is doing the state inspection).

How hard are they to change?

Anything weird I would need to know or do?

Any special tools?

Anybody recommend an OE type replacement?

Thanks!

Rob R.

cough 2007 cough.

You need spring compressors (USE CAUTION) if you buy one without the spring and strut mount (use a new mount with a new strut) already on it. Also half inch drive tools to get the strut-hub bolts loose, be sure to mark/note the alignment bolt position so it's close enough on reassembly to get to the alignment shop. Sometimes you need to get creative to get the strut rod nut back on. Other than that it's 5 bolts and a nut.

If it's anything like my 99 Impreza they are incredibly simple. I have heard the KYB GR-2 are decent.

Easy mode is to go to a local junkyard and get a complete assembly from them and just put the whole thing in. Next easiest mode is to pay a shop $10 to assemble the new strut/spring etc. for you so you don't have to mess with spring compressors.

EvanB wrote: If it's anything like my 99 Impreza they are incredibly simple. I have heard the KYB GR-2 are decent.

+1 if its anything like my '04 Impreza. I went ahead and replaced the rubber top-hat thingies and did the KYB's, it has a nice and firm ride with them.

Impact gun would be nice to have, otherwise nothing special. Alignment would be advisable afterwards though. Have thee a spring compressor?

I dont recall having to do much compressing of the springs, but it was a few years ago. I just have a set of HF type compressors though.

I gots compressors and an impact.

Is there something weird with the top nut?

The strut rod nut is usually down in a hole, with the rod barely poking above the top. You can drop a deepwell on it but then how do you hold the rod?

If you have impact, you can usually cheat on the top nut, just turn the impact down as to not get it stupid over torqued. You might get lucky and find the rear nuts aren't in a hole.

edit:

As for sourcing the part, I approve of the junkyard approach if you're only changing one, just know which springs came on which cars so you get that right.

Gotcha. So the Allen head on the shaft is only to hold it from spinning.

I've heard that 2075 thru 2079 models share the same rear struts with these:

KYB is the OE supplier to Subaru.

Just get a set of KYB Excel-G (replacement for the GR-2) and be done.