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.

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