rear strut mounts might be rusted out :(

[95 legacy lsi]

so i took my car to have the struts looked at because the drivers side was making a klunking noise. the mechanic said he would rather not fool with it because the mount is really rusty and he was afraid if he started untightning bolts that it could just come apart. so am i completely screwed here? i couldnt imagine it getting that rusty just on that one side. its a southern car to beat it all so i know its seen very little ice and salt. any ideas?

[SpeedmanRC]

well if the mount is rusty just get if off and replace it. the mount is not going to come apart till it's loose off the strut.

[95 legacy lsi]

so i wouldnt have to cut out the old mount and weld in another one?

[mike-tracy]

so i wouldnt have to cut out the old mount and weld in another one?
not if it comes out easily or you use power/air tools!

[Huffer]

Double check the language the mechanic used, the strut tower is where the strut mount/tophats bolt to the car. The mechanic might be suggesting that the strut tower is rusty, but you can check this yourself by looking. Get us a pic of the area if you can.

[Reason]

Yes, if the mount is rusty, you can just replace them. But is the "area where the mounts bolts/sits on" then yea you are screwed.

[95 legacy lsi]

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n68/lanier_customs/downsized_0101001523.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n68/lanier_customs/0101001522.jpg
ok, i took the back seats out, and what a PITA that was. so here are the strut mounts. i cant see up through the bottom.

[SpeedmanRC]

that looks like a cap...or cover. the body looks fine around it.

[95 legacy lsi]

so then i should be o.k.?

[mike-tracy]

so then i should be o.k.?
Should be good, look under that cap/cover to be sure.

[Huffer]

Park the car on level ground. Handbrake on or in park. Use a 10mm? Socket and undo all three bolts. Remove metal cap which is covering the strut top. Check strut mount, replace cap and bolts. Find new mechanic.

[Reason]

Thats the cap and theres 10mm bolts on there. I don't even think I reused my caps when I had to replace my rear struts.

[Navi271]

Thats the cap and theres 10mm bolts on there. I don't even think I reused my caps when I had to replace my rear struts.
I know I didn't reuse mine! What are the point to those caps anyways?? Mine had some surface rust, but none undernear near the strut mount, so that's why I didn't put them back.

[95 legacy lsi]

looks to me like it might keep dirt and water from entering the car. but thats just a guess.

[impreza_GC8]

Legacies are the only cars that come with them, the Imprezas even in the same year dont have them. The caps are not necessary.

[phi11]

I don't even think I reused my caps when I had to replace my rear struts.
this!

[klix]

The cap is odd, but I instantly recalled the time i noticed some dent on the hood of my sister's Galant and opened the hood to find the strut rod lodged part-way though the strut mount...
So it probably helps save your back glass when taking your legacy off a ski jump and blow through the rear mounts upon landing? ..or whatever it was that my sister wouldn't own up to back in the day :smt017

[AWD_FTW!]

Definitely find a new mechanic. My suspension clunks around on my outback too. but I know I need tie rods and what not.

[EJ22E]

On my 97 impreza it came with plastic caps that just covers the 10mm bolts. I wonder why Subaru didn't use plastic instead for the Legacy's.