MY00 2.5RS strut problem, please help/advise
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 137
From: San Francisco
Car Info: '08 FXT Dark Gray Metallic
MY00 2.5RS strut problem, please help/advise
Hi Everyone,
As the title says, I have a 2000 2.5RS. This car just turned 5 years old and roughly 55,300 miles. I just took it in to get new tires since it's snow season here in California and I am planning some Lake Tahoe ski trips. I went to Just Tires to get new tires and get my wheels aligned because I haven't done that in a very long time.
They called me up to tell me there is "bad news" regarding my car. Apparently when they were doing the alignment they found out that all 4 wheels were off pretty badly and one (right rear) was off so badly that they weren't going to be able to align it within spec. Since they only deal with wheels and tires his prognosis was done without trying to sell me anything: He says that the right-rear strut is "shot." It has worn out so much that it has moved far beyond the range of alignment.
I called the Subaru dealer to talk to a service manager (since I am not too familiar with all of this) and while explaining to him what Just Tires described about the alignment test, he agreed that the strut could possibly be going, 'causing this to happen.
I decided to get the alignment done any ways, the best it could get. While aligning it they were able to put a "shin" (I think) in with the strut to move it, in order to align it. However, since the strut is not holding the proper weight of the car (because it is bad), it is still going to cause the tire to wear unnaturally. I can get the wheels aligned again in 6 months for free, so he told me that that if I get a new strut (or two/four) installed within that 6 month period to bring it back for another free alignment.
I am wondering what to do. The dealer told me that it'll be around $400 for one, $800 for two, or $1600 for all four struts to be replaced. This is a lot of money. Perhaps I can find some aftermarket struts and people on the board who would be willing to help me do this (I will pay!) or if there are other suggestions.
I would really appreciate the advice-
Thanks,
~Eric
As the title says, I have a 2000 2.5RS. This car just turned 5 years old and roughly 55,300 miles. I just took it in to get new tires since it's snow season here in California and I am planning some Lake Tahoe ski trips. I went to Just Tires to get new tires and get my wheels aligned because I haven't done that in a very long time.
They called me up to tell me there is "bad news" regarding my car. Apparently when they were doing the alignment they found out that all 4 wheels were off pretty badly and one (right rear) was off so badly that they weren't going to be able to align it within spec. Since they only deal with wheels and tires his prognosis was done without trying to sell me anything: He says that the right-rear strut is "shot." It has worn out so much that it has moved far beyond the range of alignment.
I called the Subaru dealer to talk to a service manager (since I am not too familiar with all of this) and while explaining to him what Just Tires described about the alignment test, he agreed that the strut could possibly be going, 'causing this to happen.
I decided to get the alignment done any ways, the best it could get. While aligning it they were able to put a "shin" (I think) in with the strut to move it, in order to align it. However, since the strut is not holding the proper weight of the car (because it is bad), it is still going to cause the tire to wear unnaturally. I can get the wheels aligned again in 6 months for free, so he told me that that if I get a new strut (or two/four) installed within that 6 month period to bring it back for another free alignment.
I am wondering what to do. The dealer told me that it'll be around $400 for one, $800 for two, or $1600 for all four struts to be replaced. This is a lot of money. Perhaps I can find some aftermarket struts and people on the board who would be willing to help me do this (I will pay!) or if there are other suggestions.
I would really appreciate the advice-
Thanks,
~Eric
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Posts: n/a
Something seems wrong with that to me.
The only way the strut is going to make an alignment impossible is if it is bent. The strut piston doesn't support the weight of the vehicle, the spring does. The strut is just like a shock absorber it controls the rebound of the spring so you car doesn't keep bouncing after it hits a bump.
Now if they were able to get the alignment in specs you shouldn't see any uneven tire wear. Although if that strut is not doing its job of dampening the rebound, that tire might show some wear from constantly bouncing down the road instead of staying firmly on the pavement.
If you decide you do need new struts don't even think of paying the dealer prices. You can get a SET of high performance struts for less than $400 if you look around, and it only take a couple of hours to swap them out.
Hope this helps some,
Jason
The only way the strut is going to make an alignment impossible is if it is bent. The strut piston doesn't support the weight of the vehicle, the spring does. The strut is just like a shock absorber it controls the rebound of the spring so you car doesn't keep bouncing after it hits a bump.
Now if they were able to get the alignment in specs you shouldn't see any uneven tire wear. Although if that strut is not doing its job of dampening the rebound, that tire might show some wear from constantly bouncing down the road instead of staying firmly on the pavement.
If you decide you do need new struts don't even think of paying the dealer prices. You can get a SET of high performance struts for less than $400 if you look around, and it only take a couple of hours to swap them out.
Hope this helps some,
Jason
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 137
From: San Francisco
Car Info: '08 FXT Dark Gray Metallic
Thanks for the reply. I do recall him saying something about the strut being bent. So that could be why it couldn't align. However, using the shin (I think) he said he was able to shift it into place to get the wheels to align again.
What are some places to for suspension kits online for Subaru’s, any suggestions?
What are some places to for suspension kits online for Subaru’s, any suggestions?
Check out KYB, they have a couple different models at various prices. They make GR-2's (OEM replacement/slight upgrade) for Impreza's, jsc speed has set of four for $299, which may be a little pricey for GR-2's, they also have AGX adjustables for $459 (set of four). Horsepowerfreaks.com has them too, but they seem to be a bit more expensive there.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 137
From: San Francisco
Car Info: '08 FXT Dark Gray Metallic
If I purchase new suspension parts online, does anyone have suggestions on where I can get them installed? I personally don't know how to install struts or any suspension parts.
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plus if u can try to stay away from dealers man, caz they it would cost u n arm n leg just to get all the shocks replace n align the car. i no caz i work for them hehehe just find some shop or some one that u no n has expericence on replacing shocks, they r not that hard to do all u need is a spring clam tool n some hand tools n a book just incase u dont no what u r doing, n prb half a day of time if u have no expericence with it.
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