[fuel98rider]

It's a strut, not a shock. It goes on, comes off as one complete unit (spring, strut, & mount). Nobody makes a complete, ready to install OEM assembly like Monroe or even Honda. To replace the strut, you need to pull the assembly off the car, compress the spring, remove the nut, and swap the new strut in and reverse the procedure. It is a good idea to replace the strut mount while you have the strut disassembled. It's cheap insurance so you don't have to tear it out again.

 

[serotta]

Here Jason, this thread might be slightly helpful:

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...40-05xt-needs-shocks-dealer-estimate-wow.html

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

one option for a DIY'er is, remove the entire assemblies, take them, with the new KYB shocks to a shop, pay them to the compress and swap in the new shock, then just reinstall the unit. Saves messing with renting the compressors, probably as fast overall, maybe just a few bucks extra.

check rockauto and amazon for prices. plenty of other online parts houses too.

 

[tdelker]

I would add that the rears are very easy to compress with the spring compressors. The fronts are slightly tougher, but the rears are easy.

To get them out, you might need to pull apart the wheel well inside. I was able to get tools in there to get the two nuts off each side, but it was tight. But I was too lazy to try to figure out how to pull all that finish apart