First the question:
On the front struts of the 2001 Outback 4-cyl wagon, are there aftermarket strut mounts available? Monroe's website shows struts and the bearing plate, but nothing in their pics that looks like a replacement for the rubber thingee I see at the top of the strut towers? Anyone know the story on this? Are mounts = bearing plates?
This did explain why non-Subaru shops keep wanting to quote me parts prices for the strut and plate though.
I've gotten a variety of quotes all over the map Midas $470+tax for 4 monroe sensitrack struts + $400 for 4 bearing plates + $80 4-wheel align. This supposedly includes installation, but comparing to others seems eerily low?
CarX $858 for front struts and mounts (Monroe) w/ labor $664 for rear. $150 rebate if all 4 done from Monroe
Subaru $600 in labor alone for front struts only including 4-wheel alignment. $403 in parts for the front only ($125 strut + 76 for the mount). $266 in parts for the rear. Labor I didn't ask about. They said generally the fronts go before the rear. Subaru parts guy says the bearing plate rarely get replaced just the "mount" so I'm left without a good picture of exactly what the heck needs to be replace.
Napa autoparts couldn't even find a price on the struts.
Advance showed parts $118/ea for front struts. $89/ea for rear struts parts only.
Thanks for any insight.
Best Regards,
-- Todd H.
2001 Legacy Outback Wagon, 2.5L H-4 Chicago, Illinois USA