Subaru Legacy III (2000-2003 year). Manual - part 657

RS-16

REAR SUSPENSION

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

6. Rear Shock Absorber

A: REMOVAL

1) Lift-up vehicle and  remove rear wheels.
2) Remove clip and detach floor mat. (Wagon mod-
el)

3) Detach trunk mat. (Sedan model)
4) Roll up the trunk side trim. (Sedan model)

5) Remove bolt securing shock absorber to rear
arm.

6) Use a jack to support the shock absorber.
7) Remove nuts securing shock absorber mount to
body.
• Wagon

• Sedan

8) Remove shock absorber.

(1) Trunk side trim

RS-00063

RS-00064

( 1 )

RS-00065

RS-00066

RS-00067

RS-17

REAR SUSPENSION

REAR SHOCK ABSORBER

B: INSTALLATION

1) Use a jack to support the shock absorber.
2) Tighten self-locking nut used to secure shock
absorber to vehicle  body.

CAUTION:
Use a new self-locking nut.

Tightening torque:

30 N·m (3.1 kgf-m, 22 ft-lb) 

3) Place jack (furnished with vehicle) upside down
and position it between link rear and sub frame. Ad-
just jack position so rear shock absorber is aligned
with rear arm at their corresponding holes. Install
lower shock absorber bolts. 

CAUTION:
Put a cloth between jack and its mating area to 
protect link rear and sub frame from scratches.

4) Using transmission jack, support rear arm hori-
zontally and tighten shock absorber nuts and bolts
to specified torque.

Tightening torque:

160 N·m (16.3 kgf-m, 118 ft-lb) 

CAUTION:
Use a new self-locking nut.
5) Install floor mat. (Wagon model)
6) Set trunk side trim. (Sedan model)

7) Install trunk mat. (Sedan model)

NOTE:
Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.

C: DISASSEMBLY

For disassembly of shock absorber, refer to proce-
dures outlined under  front strut as a guide.
<Ref. to FS-18, DISASSEMBLY, Front Strut.>

D: ASSEMBLY

Refer to Front Strut as a guide for assembly proce-
dures.
<Ref. to FS-18, ASSEMBLY, Front Strut.>

E: INSPECTION

Refer to Front Strut as a guide for inspection proce-
dures.
<Ref. to FS-19, INSPECTION, Front Strut.>

F: DISPOSAL

CAUTION:
• Before handling shock absorber, be sure to
wear goggles to protect eyes from gas, oil and/
or filings.
• Completely discharge the gas from the shock
absorber before disposal. Follow the disposal
procedure outlined below.
• Do not disassemble shock absorber or place
into a fire.
• Drill holes before disposing of shock absorb-
er.
1) Place shock absorber on a flat and level surface
with piston rod fully extended.
2) Using a 2 to 3 mm (0.08 to 0.12 in) dia. drill,  drill
30 mm (1.18 in) deep holes in areas shown in the
figure.

(1) Rear arm

(2) Transmission jack

RS-00051

RS-00052

( 1 )

( 2 )

RS-00070

40 mm (1.57 in)

RS-18

REAR SUSPENSION

LINK FRONT

7. Link Front

A: REMOVAL

1) Loosen wheel nuts. Lift-up vehicle and remove
wheel.
2) Use transmission jack to support rear arm hori-
zontally.

3) Remove bolt securing link front to sub frame.

4) Remove bolts which secure link front to rear arm
and detach link front.

NOTE:
Link front bushing cannot be replaced alone. Al-
ways replace link front and bushing as a single unit.

B: INSTALLATION

Install in the reverse order of removal, observing
the following  instructions.

CAUTION:
• Using transmission jack, support rear arm
horizontally, install link front and tighten nuts
to specified torque.

• Install link front with protruded side facing
front.

• Replace self-locking nut.

NOTE:
Check wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.

Tightening torque:

120 N·m (12.2 kgf-m, 88 ft-lb)

C: INSPECTION

Visually check link front for damage or bends.

(1) Rear arm

(2) Transmission jack

RS-00052

( 1 )

( 2 )

RS-00072

RS-00073

(1) Rear arm

(2) Transmission jack

(1) Front

RS-00052

( 1 )

( 2 )

RS-00075

( 1 )

RS-19

REAR SUSPENSION

LINK REAR

8. Link Rear

A: REMOVAL

1) Loosen wheel nuts. Lift-up vehicle and remove
wheel.
2) Remove bolt securing stabilizer clamps to sub
frame.

3) Remove support sub frame RH. (When remov-
ing RH side link rear.)

4) Remove stabilizer link.

5) Use transmission jack to support rear arm hori-
zontally.

6) Remove bolt securing link rear to rear arm.

7) Scribe an alignment mark on link rear adjusting
bolt and  sub frame.
8) Remove bolts securing link rear to sub frame,
detach link rear.

CAUTION:
To loosen adjusting bolt, always loosen nut 
while holding the head of  adjusting bolt.

RS-00039

RS-00077

RS-00038

(1) Rear arm

(2) Transmission jack

RS-00052

( 1 )

( 2 )

RS-00080

RS-00081