Legacy Front Strut Replacement

[ricardo381]

2003 Legacy L SE Wagon: The front suspension has been making squeaking
noises when going over small bumps and also when accelerating from
stop. I have 64,000 miles and I've owned this car since new (average
about 20,000 miles/year). I took my car into the dealer today and they
found the right front strut was leaking and recommended replacement. I
was quoted $550 (parts+labor for two front struts plus alignment). Does
this price seem fair? Does anyone know the Subaru part numbers for the
two front struts? The dealer didn't have the parts in stock and had to
special order them (which means I need to take my car back in about
week). Thanks for any thoughts and opinions!

 

[Greg]

In downtown California prices, that sounds about right. If you want to check
prices on parts go to www.1stsubaruparts.com , I haven't purchased from them
in a while but they used to have good prices on factory parts.

 

[ricardo381]

I made an appointment to take my car back to the Subaru dealer next
Friday, on October 13. Since I had some time today, I decided to take a
look at the struts myself to see how the leak is showing up. I also
took some photos. Here's the link:

http://photos.yahoo.com/ricardolee2000

There are separate albums for the left front, and right front struts.

I couldn't find or see any leaks. What does a leaking strut look like?
The black crusty stuff you see on the bottom part of the strut is kinda
flaky and not oily. I'm not sure what to look for. What do you guys
think? I don't want to spend $$ at the Subaru dealer just because they
*think* the noise is coming from the struts...

Thanks for all thoughts and advice!

 

[Alan Ronemus]

I don't see evidence of a leak - there would be an oily residue. A
squeak is more likely to be coming from one or more of the suspension
bushings, but there are several - taking the suspension and sub-frame
apart to inspect and grease them would cost more than $550.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I made an appointment to take my car back to the Subaru dealer next
Friday, on October 13. Since I had some time today, I decided to take a
look at the struts myself to see how the leak is showing up. I also
took some photos. Here's the link:

http://photos.yahoo.com/ricardolee2000

There are separate albums for the left front, and right front struts.

I couldn't find or see any leaks. What does a leaking strut look like?
The black crusty stuff you see on the bottom part of the strut is kinda
flaky and not oily. I'm not sure what to look for. What do you guys
think? I don't want to spend $$ at the Subaru dealer just because they
*think* the noise is coming from the struts...

Thanks for all thoughts and advice!

While its possible you would benefit from new struts, I think its also
possible the noise is a dry/worn sway bar (or other)bushing or strut
bearing/top mount and the dealer wants some money for struts you can
live without. maybe $40 or whatever for a second opinion would be money
well spent?

Carl

 

[ricardo381]

Is there a spray-on lubricant (WD-40?) that I can use on the bushings?
Maybe I can spray-soak the bushings and parts of the suspension to see
if it gets rid of the squeak? I took my car to another mechanic and he
checked out the struts. They were not leaking at all (no oily
residue)...

 

[AS]

Ricardo:

Your struts are not leaking. When they leak, you will see an oily stain
coming out from in between the polished rod and the top part of the
black body.

Once more I agree with Carl, your noise could be a loose strut mount, or
a bushing that needs cleaning or replacing. Rubber bushings should not
be lubricated

I think that what you were quoted is too expensive given that you do not
need to change your struts.

When there is a defective strut you will know, because the car moves
strangely when going over a bump (if only one strut is defective) or
will bounce repeatedly if both.

If you are near south east florida I will help you find the noise, for free.

Good luck

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Is there a spray-on lubricant (WD-40?) that I can use on the bushings?
Maybe I can spray-soak the bushings and parts of the suspension to see
if it gets rid of the squeak? I took my car to another mechanic and he
checked out the struts. They were not leaking at all (no oily
residue)...

I would avoid WD-40 or other petroleum based lubes. Look for some
silicone spray lube. It may not last long, but should not harm the
bushings and might help find the offending one.

Carl

 

[ricardo381]

Thanks for the offer. However, I live in Los Angeles...I took my car to
another mechanic and he didn't find any strut leakage. I also got the
same advice about checking the bushings. Unfortunately he told me
finding the source of these types of squeaks may require taking apart
the suspension and bushings, which is a lot of labor...checking to see
if the strut itself is the cause of the squeak requires removal of the
strut assembly itself...I think I'm going to try spraying down the
bushings with the silicone based lubricant to see if the squeak will go
away...thanks again for all the help...

 

[Doc]

Spray them one at a time. If you sparay them all at once you'll never know
which one is squeaking.

Claude