Safety glasses
Nitrile Gloves
Strut Assembly
Jack
Jack Stands
Wheel Chocks
Ratchet and Torque Wrench
Socket
Breaker Bar
Slotted Screwdriver
Hammer
Allen Wrench (5mm)
Penetrating Oil
If you’re not completely comfortable doing this yourself, we’d be happy to recommend a professional technician in your area.
Step 1: Prepare Your Car
Park on a level surface. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheels with a socket.
Step 2: Lift the Front End
Chock the rear tires, jack up the front end and put it on stands.
Step 3: Remove the Wheels
Using your socket wrench, remove the lug nut and take off the front wheels.
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Do It Right: Take a moment to spray rust penetrant on the nuts that need to be removed. Lift the hood and spray the four upper bushing nuts as well. |
Step 4: Raise the Side
Use your floor jack to lift the side where you’ll be working. Slide the jack under the control arm and lift the side slightly off the stand.
Step 5: Remove the Hose Clip and Sensor
Use a flathead screwdriver to pry off the brake jounce hose clip. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor harness bolt with a 10mm socket.
Step 6: Remove Stabilizer Bar Link Nut
Loosen the upper stabilizer bar link nut using a 14mm wrench and spraying rust penetrant and turn it until the stud starts to spin. You’ll use a 5mm Allen wrench to secure the stud and continue loosening the nut until the nut is removed. Once the nut is removed, the stud can be slipped out.
Step 7: Loosen the Bottom Nuts and Bolts
Use an 18mm socket wrench and breaker bar to loosen the bottom nuts and bolts of the strut assembly.
Step 8: Lower Vehicle Side
Use a hammer and punch to start the bolts out. Lower the floor jack so that the vehicle rests on the stands. Leave the bottom bolts in place for now.
Step 9: Remove Nuts and Bolts
In the engine bay, use a 14mm socket wrench to remove the four upper bushing nuts and the loosened bottom bolts. After this, you should be able to lift the old strut assembly from the wheel well.
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Do It Right: Compare the new strut assembly to the old one to make sure you’ve got the right part. As a reminder, we recommend replacing your struts in pairs, so make sure to repeat the previous steps on the other side of your vehicle. |
Step 10: Position New Strut Assembly
Position the new assembly in the wheel well, making sure the bracket at the bottom is toward the outside of the vehicle. Once in place, thread the upper bushing nuts to keep the assembly in place but don’t torque them yet.
Step 11: Install Strut Assembly’s Bottom Nuts and Bolts
Install the two strut-to-knuckle nuts and bolts at the bottom of the assembly.
Step 12: Put Weight On The Suspension Again
Use your floor jack under the control arm to lift the vehicle off the stands and put the weight of the vehicle on the suspension again.
Step 13: Tighten the Strut’s Upper Nuts and Bolts
Using a torque wrench and 14mm socket, tighten the upper bushing nuts to 30 foot pounds. Use your 18mm socket with a wrench securing the bolts to torque the bottom nuts to 85 foot pounds.
Step 14: Reinstall Parts
Reinstall the upper stabilizer bar link nut and the ABS wheel speed sensor. Torque the link nut to 46 foot pounds and the sensor to 11 foot pounds. Use a small hammer to tap the brake jounce hose clip back into place.
Step 15: Replace the Wheels
Put the wheels back in place and hand-tighten the lug nuts, making sure the wheels are seated flush against the hubs. Lower your vehicle, and use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to 100 foot pounds.
The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.