How to Check Shock Absorbers or Macpherson Struts in a Subaru Outback

Nearly all new vehicles have a modern front suspension system that includes Macpherson struts. The struts act as a shock absorber, supporting the weight of the Subaru Outback. Macpherson struts contain a small sub-frame that allows for a single mounting point of the axle and wheel. Macpherson struts are for front wheels on the Outback—some cars use them on the rear wheels.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Floor jack
• Spring compressor
• Wrenches
• Penetrating oil

1. Gather a few wrenches and some pliers and jack the Outback up so you can get under the car.

2. Find where to remove the spring and strut as an ensemble instead of separate parts.

3. Check the Macpherson strut separate from the spring. You can use a coil spring compressor to alleviate the pressure of the spring.

4. Feel for a rubber boot and don't let any penetrating oil drip on it. Make sure the rubber is pliable, without cracks and not in need of repair.

5. Drip penetrating oil on any rusty nuts and bolts to remove the rust. You may need to scrub the rust off with a wire brush.

6. Determine the strength of the bolts—look at the hex on the top of the bolt and calculate the grade of the manufacturer stamp. The more lines or dots, the higher the grade.

7. Remove Macpherson struts as an assembly with the spring. Remove the spring from the strut at the workbench.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the Outback for a wheel alignment when finished.
• Lines on a bolt represent the grade of a standard bolt and dots represent a metric one.
• Getting under a car is dangerous. Keep children out of the work area and have a friend with you as you check the struts on the Outback.

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[justinuf2]

on 7/22/2009 Doesn't this need a warning about the dangerous compression in the spring?Could be very bad news for someone not alerted to proper handling.