Parts for your 2013 Subaru Exiga-Strut mounts

2013 Subaru Exiga strut mounts — what they do and when to replace

Based on the Subaru Exiga YA‑series Service Manual (Front Suspension) and the Subaru FAST parts catalogue, the 2013 Exiga runs a MacPherson strut front suspension that uses a dedicated top strut mount with an integrated bearing. Major aftermarket catalogues from KYB and Monroe also list front strut mounts for 2008–2014 Exiga models. The rear of the Exiga is a multi‑link/double‑wishbone layout with separate shock absorbers, so “strut mounts” aren’t used at the rear in the strict sense.

Up front, the strut mounts are the unsung heroes tying the strut to the body, carrying vehicle weight, and letting the strut rotate smoothly as the wheels steer. They set the top of the strut’s position, so they matter for alignment, and the rubber isolation in the mount keeps noise, vibration and harshness out of the cabin. The built‑in bearing is what allows easy, precise steering effort, when that bearing dries out or pits, you feel it as a graunch or notchy wheel.

Typical signs the Exiga’s front mounts are tired include: a dull clunk over sharp bumps, creaks at parking speeds, “memory steer” where the wheel doesn’t self‑centre cleanly, and uneven tyre wear that isn’t solved by a basic alignment. If the top hat rubber is cracked, the centre stud sits off‑centre, or the bearing feels gritty when the spring is unloaded, it’s time to sort them.

There’s no fixed interval, but many Exigas on Aussie and Kiwi roads see mount wear somewhere after 100–150,000 km, earlier if they live on corrugations or tackle speed humps all day. Best practice is to replace strut mounts in pairs and, if the struts are due, do them together with new upper spring insulators, dust boots and bump stops. A quality OEM‑equivalent mount (Subaru, KYB, Monroe, similar) will keep steering feel tidy and noises at bay.

• Inspection tips: look for perished rubber, rust staining around the top hat, and listen for knocks on rebound. With the strut out, spin the bearing by hand — it should be smooth and quiet.
• Fitment tips: mark spring and mount orientation, use a proper coil spring compressor, torque fasteners to factory spec, then get a wheel alignment. Reuse the old mount only if it’s crack‑free and the bearing glides without play or roughness.
• While you’re there: check sway bar links, top spring seats and front control arm bushes, fresh mounts won’t mask worn companion parts.

Popular questions about 2013 Subaru Exiga strut mounts

How do you tell if the front strut mounts are worn on a 2013 Exiga?
Listen for clunks over potholes, creaks at low speed, and feel for notchy steering or poor self‑centring. Visually, cracked or collapsed rubber at the top hat, or a top stud that’s sitting off‑centre, are giveaways. If removed, a gritty or loose‑feeling bearing confirms replacement is due.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing Exiga strut mounts?
Yes. The mount locates the top of the strut, so changing it can alter camber and caster slightly. An alignment after refit makes sure tyre wear and straight‑line stability are on point.

Should strut mounts be replaced with the struts, or can they be reused?
If the mounts are smooth, crack‑free and the bearing feels perfect, they can be reused. That said, many techs replace mounts whenever fitting new struts so everything beds in together and you’re not back in there soon after for a noisy or binding top bearing.