just replaced a strut, had some questions.

[afterbang]

hey everyone. i just replaced the right rear strut assembly on my 98 outback with a complete assembly from a 97 outback. was a pretty straight forward process, bled the one caliper and everything feels pretty good. i am getting conflicting information from searching the threads about having to get an alignment now. is it really necessary to get an alignment when you replace the entire assembly out with a used complete? i have some good money in my tires that i just got for some gt rims so i dont want to ruin them. if i need an alignment should i first put a few miles on the car before i take the car in? can you get an alignment for just one wheel?

 

thanks for any and all advice.

[lmdew]

The two bottom bolts on the strut should have been just bolts, straight through. There is NO camber adjustment on the rear struts, unless you put the after-market strut bolts in.

 

The only adjustment on the rear is the toe, which is done at the inner tie rod bolts.

 

You could not have changed a thing.

 

The next time you change a strut, but the brake line bracket and slip the brake line out. That way you will not have to bleed the brakes. Just cut a slot in the end and bend it opena and then bend it back. Some like to cut a slot top and bottom so there is no bending.

 

Larry