Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Need to replace REAR struts in '97 GT Wgn, do I need alignment ?

Featured Replies

Hi ALL!

 

I have a dead Rear Pass strut in my '97 GT Wagon. So I need to replace both my rear struts. Will I need an Alignment after this? Are those rear struts adjustable?

 

Many thanks, SubeeTed

definitely not.

 

i've never gotten an alignment after replacing front struts before either, mark the top camber bolt and reinstall exactly as it was. should all work fine if you're not getting something significantly different from stock.

 

in general since i'm rotating tires often (have to with 4WD subaru's), i keep an eye on tire wear. if i ever notice uneven tire wear i will get an alignment. i haven't had to get an alignment in 15 years and dozens of subarus since adopting that philosophy as recommended by someone who works in the field.

definitely not.

 

i've never gotten an alignment after replacing front struts before either, mark the top camber bolt and reinstall exactly as it was. should all work fine if you're not getting something significantly different from stock.

 

in general since i'm rotating tires often (have to with 4WD subaru's), i keep an eye on tire wear. if i ever notice uneven tire wear i will get an alignment. i haven't had to get an alignment in 15 years and dozens of subarus since adopting that philosophy as recommended by someone who works in the field.

 

 

 

I too, have marked the top camber bolts, and reinstall exactly as it was. My wife had an old bottle of nail polish that she was throwing away. I kept it, and use it to mark alignment points. The little nail polish brush works great. Makes it real simple to realign everything perfectly.

I confess I don't do much work myself. Had the rear struts replaced on my wife's car and found just a month later I needed an alignment done. If you feel competent handling it, which it sounds like you are, checking it is a must to ensure you avoid tire problems.

Had the rear struts replaced on my wife's car and found just a month later I needed an alignment done.
the causation is only assumed though, it may not have been due to the struts.

 

The alignment issue may have been there before hand but is just now getting noticed.

 

Or maybe you're getting new tires, in which case they often try to "require", "sell", "suggest", or otherwise have you get an alignment.

 

You had both rear struts replaced - something was previously wrong to have that work done. Those bad struts could have caused improper wear on your tires that is now showing up as beyond limits (down to the wear indicators on the tires).

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.