I'm driving my son's 1990 Subaru legacy wagon for a couple days. Without any clear cause - didn't hit a pothole, yada, yada - the car started bouncing a lot. If I drive on a slightly rough road, normal kind of road, I can see the front of the car start picking up every bump in the road and continue bouncing with it. It gets to the point where I'm concerned for his ability to safely drive it. When you apply the brakes, it often "skips" like you were trying to brake over cobblestones. It may be just coincidence, but the light on the height control switch is blinking rapidly.

 

Any clever ideas?

 

Rick

I'd say you've blown out an air strut, and all that's damping the car now is the spring, hence the bouncy nature of the vehicle.

blown strut(s) for sure.....

 

you wont realize just how bad it really is

until you replace them.....

 

try searcing google for "used subaru parts"

if you dont mind putting used struts on the car

 

or try a wholesale dealer for discounted new OE parts.

 

 

good luck

Jamie

Thanks for both responses. I guess I'm looking for struts. I don't have a problem with used parts - I drive on them all the time.

 

Reading other posts lead me to think this might be something I could do myself. Any insight?

 

Rick

Struts aren't that expensive, but you can always spend lots of money if you want. Autozone has 'em for 70 bucks a crack for the front. Used ones may be bad.

 

Too much work for a crap shoot.

Sounds kinda like the ~92 Legacy LS I was behind on the freeway today... all 4 air struts were deflated... that thing bounced worse than a civic with the coils cut

 

It kinda looked cool in a way though, I bet on a REALLY smooth surface it handled really good