Wow, I just got done putting the Outback struts on my wagon and what a PITA the rear's were.
I decided to swap the hats out instead of drilling more holes. That actually went pretty well. I don't have a spring compressor, but I managed to use a pretty nice set of Kant Twist "C" clamps and they worked really well. You really don't need much compression to get the hats off.
I've read that the struts can be installed without the lift blocks, which is what I did for the moment. For the life of me I could not get the lower bolts in the struts. I disconnected the sway bar and no matter what I could not tilt the knuckle in enough to get the upper bolt in.
I finally loosened the rear carriage bolts and it dropped down just enough (along with some serious prying) to finally get the upper bolt in.
In any case, all four are installed and the wagon looks so much better.
Now, I just need to install the OEM Outback lift blocks and see what I can do to move the wheel back so that it's closer to the center of the opening.
Any suggestions on re-centering the wheels? I'm thinking I need some new brackets that will move the lower control arm back an inch or two. Either that or a longer arm.
Pics will follow.