Strut SUBARU LEGACY 1996 Service User Guide

4. Front Strut
A: REMOVAL
G4M0502
1Dust seal

2Strut mount

3Spacer

4Upper spring seat

5Rubber seat

6Dust cover
7Helper

8Coil spring

9Damper strut

10Adjusting bolt

11Self-locking nut
Tightening torque: N⋅m (kg-m, ft-lb)
T1: 20±6 (2.0±0.6, 14.5±4.3)
T2: 54±5 (5.5±0.5, 39.8±3.6)
T3: 152±20 (15.5±2.0, 112±14)
G4M0503
1) Remove wheel.
2) Depress brake pedal and hold it down using a wooden
block etc.
3) Remove union bolts from caliper.
CAUTION:
Use brake hose cap to prevent brake fluid from escap-
ing.
21
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
4. Front Strut

G4M0504
4) Remove brake hose clamp and disconnect brake hose
from strut. Attach brake hose to body using gum tape.
5) Scribe an alignment mark on the camber adjusting bolt
which secures strut to housing.
6) Remove bolt securing the A.B.S. sensor harness.
(A.B.S. equipped models.)
G4M0505
7) Remove two bolts securing housing to strut.
CAUTION:
While holding head of adjusting bolt, loosen self-lock-
ing nut.
8) Remove the three nuts securing strut mount to body.
G4M0506
B: DISASSEMBLY
1) Using a coil spring compressor, compress coil spring.
G4M0507
2) Using ST, remove self-locking nut.
ST 927760000 STRUT MOUNT SOCKET
3) Remove strut mount, upper spring seat and rubber seat
from strut.
4) Gradually decreasing compression force of spring
compressor, and remove coil spring.
5) Remove dust cover and helper.
22
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
4. Front Strut

C: INSPECTION
Check the disassembled parts for cracks, damage and
wear, and replace with new parts if defective.
G4M0508
1. DAMPER STRUT
1) Check for oil leakage.
2) Move the piston rod up and down to check its operates
smoothly without any binding.
3) Play of piston rod
Measure the play as follows:
Fix outer shell and fully extend the rod. Set a dial gauge at
the end of the rod: L [10 mm (0.39 in)], then apply a force
of W [20 N (2 kg, 4 lb)] to threaded portion. With the force
of 20 N (2 kg, 4 lb) applied, read dial gauge indication: P
1.
Apply a force of 20 N (2 kg, 4 lb) in the opposite direction
of“W”, then read dial gauge indication: P
2. The free play
is determined by the following equation:
Play = P
1,P2
Limit of play:
Less than 0.8 mm (0.031 in)
If the play is greater, replace the strut with new one.
2. STRUT MOUNT
Check rubber part for wear, cracks and deterioration, and
replace it with new one if defective.
3. DUST COVER
If any cracks or damage are found, replace it with new one.
4. COIL SPRING
When vehicle posture is uneven, although there are no
considerable reasons like tire puncture, uneven loading,
etc., check coil spring and spring seats for cracks,
deformation, etc., and replace it with a new one if defective.
5. HELPER
Replace it with new one if cracked or damaged.
23
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
4. Front Strut

D: ASSEMBLY
1) Before installing coil spring, strut mount, etc., on the
strut, check for the presence of air in the dampening force
generating mechanism of the strut since air prevents
proper dampening force from being produced.
2) Checking for the presence of air
(1) Place the strut vertically with the piston rod facing
upward.
(2) Move the piston rod to the center of its entire
stroke.
(3) While holding the piston rod end with finger-tips,
move the rod up and down.
(4) If the piston rod moves at least 10 mm (0.39 in) in
step (3), purge air from the strut.
3) Air purging procedure
(1) Place the strut vertically with the piston rod facing
upward.
(2) Fully extend the piston rod.
(3) With the piston rod fully extended, place the piston
rod side down. The strut must stand vertically.
(4) Fully contract the piston rod.
(5) Repeat 3 or 4 times steps (1) through (4) above.
NOTE:
After completely purging air from the strut, be sure to place
the strut with the piston rod facing upward. If it is laid down,
check for entry of air in the strut as outlined under item 2)
above.
B4M0568A
4) Using a coil spring compressor, compress the coil
spring.
NOTE:
Make sure that the vertical installing direction of coil spring
is as shown in figure.
G4M0510
5) Set the coil spring correctly so that its end face fits well
into the spring seat as shown.
6) Install helper and dust cover to the piston rod.
24
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
4. Front Strut

G4M0511
7) Pull the piston rod fully upward, and install rubber seat
and spring seat.
NOTE:
Ensure that upper spring seat is positioned with“OUT”
mark facing outward.
8) Install strut mount to the piston rod, and tighten the
self-locking nut temporarily.
CAUTION:
Be sure to use a new self-locking nut.
G4M0507
9) Using hexagon wrench to prevent strut rod from turning,
tighten self-locking nut with ST.
Tightening torque:
54±5 N⋅m (5.5±0.5 kg-m, 39.8±3.6 ft-lb)
ST 927760000 STRUT MOUNT SOCKET
10) Loosen the coil spring carefully.
E: INSTALLATION
1) Install strut mount at upper side of strut to body and
tighten with nuts.
Tightening torque:
20±6 N⋅m (2.0±0.6 kg-m, 14.5±4.3 ft-lb)
2) Connect housing to lower side of strut.
3) Position aligning mark on camber adjusting bolt with
aligning mark on lower side bracket of strut.
CAUTION:

While holding head of adjusting bolt, tighten self-
locking nut.

Be sure to use new self-locking nut.
Tightening torque:
152±20 N⋅m (15.5±2.0 kg-m, 112±14 ft-lb)
4) Install A.B.S. sensor harness to strut. (A.B.S. equipped
models.)
Tightening torque:
152±20 N⋅m (15.5±2.0 kg-m, 112±14 ft-lb)
5) Install brake hose at lower side of strut with clamp.
G4M0503
6) Install union bolts which secure brake caliper to brake
hose.
Tightening torque:
18±3 N⋅m (1.8±0.3 kg-m, 13.0±2.2 ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Be sure to bleed air from brake system.
7) Install wheels.
NOTE:
Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
25
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
4. Front Strut

9. Rear Strut
A: REMOVAL
B4M0199A
1Strut mount cap

2Self-locking nut

3Strut mount

4Rubber seat upper

5Dust cover
6Coil spring

7Helper

8Rubber seat lower

9Damper strut
Tightening torque: N⋅m (kg-m, ft-lb)
T1: 20±6 (2.0±0.6, 14.5±4.3)
T2: 59±10 (6.0±1.0, 43±7)
T3: 196
+39
10(20.0+4.0
1.0, 145+29
7)
B4M0200A
1) Depress brake pedal and secure it in that position using
a wooden block, etc.
2) Remove rear seat cushion and backrest. (Sedan)
B4M0201A
3) Remove strut cap of rear quarter trim. (Wagon)
4) Loosen rear wheel nuts.
5) Jack-up vehicle, support it with safety stands (rigid
racks) and remove rear wheels.
6) Remove brake hose clip.
40
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
9. Rear Strut

G4M0538
7) Models equipped with rear disc brakes:
Remove union bolt from brake caliper.
8) Models equipped with rear drum brakes:
Disconnect brake hose from brake pipe from strut, and
disconnect brake pipe from dram brake.
G4M0539
9) Remove bolts which secure rear strut to housing.
10) Remove nuts securing strut mount to body.
11) Remove strut mount cap.
B: DISASSEMBLY
For disassembly of rear strut, refer to procedures outlined
under front strut as a guide.

C: INSPECTION
Refer to Front Strut 4-1 [W4C0] as a guide for inspection
procedures.
G4M0540
D: ASSEMBLY
Refer to Front Strut 4-1 [W4D0] as a guide for assembly
procedures.
CAUTION:

Install rear strut with “FWD” or “4WD” mark on strut
mount facing outside of vehicle body.

Insert the protrusion of lower rubber seat into the
strut spring seat hole.
41
4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
9. Rear Strut

E: INSTALLATION
1) Install strut mount cap.
2) Tighten self-locking nut used to secure strut mount to
vehicle body.
CAUTION:
Use a new self-locking nut.
NOTE:
Tighten strut mount and cap as a unit.
Tightening torque:
20±6 N⋅m (2.0±0.6 kg-m, 14.5±4.3 ft-lb)
3) Tighten bolts securing rear strut to housing.
Tightening torque:
196
+39
10N⋅m (20.0+4.0
1.0kg-m, 145+29
7ft-lb)
CAUTION:
Use a new self-locking nut.
4) Models with rear disc brakes:
Tighten brake hose union bolt on brake caliper.
Tightening torque:
18±3 N⋅m (1.8±0.3 kg-m, 13.0±2.2 ft-lb)
Models with rear drum brakes:
Connect brake hose to brake pipe.
Tightening torque:
15
+3
2N⋅m (1.5+0.3
0.2kg-m, 10.8+2.2
1.4ft-lb)
5) Insert brake hose clip between brake hose and lower
side of strut.
CAUTION:

Check that hose clip is positioned properly.

Check brake hose for twisting, or excessive tension.

Models equipped with A.B.S.:
Do not subject A.B.S. sensor harness to excessive ten-
sion.
6) Be sure to bleed air from brake system.
7) Lower vehicle and tighten wheel nut.
Tightening torque:
88±10 N⋅m (9±1 kg-m, 65±7 ft-lb)
8) Sedan:
Install rear seat backrest and rear seat cushion.
Wagon:
Install strut cap of rear quarter trim.
NOTE:
Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
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4-1SERVICE PROCEDURE
9. Rear Strut

1. Suspension
1. IMPROPER VEHICLE POSTURE OR IMPROPER
WHEEL ARCH HEIGHT
Possible causes Countermeasures
(1) Permanent distortion or breakage of coil spring Replace.
(2) Unsmooth operation of damper strut Replace.
(3) Installation of wrong strut Replace with proper parts.
(4) Installation of wrong coil spring Replace with proper parts.
2. POOR RIDE COMFORT
1) Large rebound shock
2) Rocking of vehicle continues too long after running over
bump and/or hump.
3) Large shock in bumping
Possible causes Countermeasures
(1) Breakage of coil spring Replace.
(2) Over-inflation pressure of tire Adjust.
(3) Improper wheel arch height Adjust or replace coil springs with new ones.
(4) Fault in operation of damper strut Replace.
(5) Damage or deformation of strut mount Replace.
(6) Unsuitability of maximum and/or minimum length of
damper strutReplace with proper parts.
(7) Deformation or loss of bushing Replace.
(8) Deformation or damage of helper in strut assembly Replace.
(9) Oil leakage of damper strut Replace.
3. NOISE
Possible causes Countermeasures
(1) Wear or damage of damper strut component parts Replace.
(2) Loosening of suspension link installing bolt and/or nut Retighten to the specified torque.
(3) Deformation or loss of bushing Replace.
(4) Unsuitability of maximum and/or minimum length of
damper strutReplace with proper parts.
(5) Breakage of coil spring Replace.
(6) Wear or damage of ball joint Replace.
(7) Deformation of stabilizer clamp Replace.
47
4-1DIAGNOSTICS
1. Suspension

1. Front Axle
A: REMOVAL
1) Disconnect ground cable from battery.
2) Jack-up vehicle, support it with safety stands, and
remove front wheels.
G4M0214
3) Unlock axle nut.
4) Remove axle nut using a socket wrench.
CAUTION:
Be sure to loose and retighten axle nut after removing
wheel from vehicle. Failure to follow this rule may dam-
age wheel bearings.
G4M0215
5) Remove stabilizer link.
G4M0216
6) Remove DOJ from transmission spindle.
7) Remove front drive shaft assembly from hub. If it is hard
to remove, use STs.
ST1 926470000 AXLE SHAFT PULLER
ST2 927140000 PLATE
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage oil seal lip when removing
front drive shaft.
When replacing front drive shaft, also replace inner
oil seal.
8) Remove disc brake caliper from housing, and suspend
it from strut using a wire.
9
4-2SERVICE PROCEDURE
1. Front Axle