I just did this and it was so easy I had some time leftover to post about it.

 

The struts were still working fine, but the balls and sockets on the lower ends were so badly corroded that they were coming loose. The results of it being used in this condition are some scratched paint above the taillight housing, broke a corner off of the left taillight housing, and broke the right rear piece of trim behind the rear side window. I need to buy a couple of clips to fix the external trim piece but other than that it's all good.

 

To my surprise even though the studs and bolts were very rusty they came out easily.

 

The parts needed for this job, for a '99 legacy outback wagon, are:

 

Left Strut 60311AC030

Right Strut 60311AC020

Stud Bolt 62351AA010 x 2

 

HTH

On the Legacy, is there a spherical metal socket on one end of the strut and if so, how do you pry it off from the ball end? That's the arrangement used on Impreza and I just want to know how it comes apart. Interestingly, on Impreza the struts are not exposed to the weather.

The original had a ball and socket on both ends. The replacements had a ball and socket on one end and the other end was different. I don't think I can describe it very well right now, I'm pretty tired. I will take a look tomorrow.

 

It came apart by itself due to rust. I don't know how to get them apart when they are in good shape. Prying perhaps? I would replace the ball with the strut.

Any pics? Before would be nice, but after's would be kewl too.

 

Anybody ever worked on making it a power lift, like the backs/side doors of minivans do? It would make loading my pup & gear MUCH easier...

I really need to get a digital camera, it would make my posts so much more interesting. My wife insisted on the EOS rebel 2000, which takes nice pictures, but doesn't make for easy picture posting.