How to Replace Your Struts

When it’s time to replace your struts, you have two options:

1. Take your car to the mechanic, and prepare to pay for costly parts and labor.
2. Buy the struts, do the work yourself and save a boatload of money.

Replacing your car’s struts requires terrific amounts of applied torque and pressure, so we recommend that you utilize compressed air tools. If not, you can always borrow a buddy’s or see if your mechanic can perform certain functions to help you do it (mostly) yourself.

 1. Safely jack your car up and place on stable jack stands.
2. Remove the wheel(s).
3. Remove the fasteners that hold the strut on the steering knuckle.
4. Use caution to remove bolts; if bolts have trouble removing, gently tap steering knuckle with a hammer to loosen.
5. Remove strut’s upper fasteners (99% of the time, they’re accessible by opening your hood). They’re usually secured with 3-4 bolts.
6. With steering knuckle bolts and upper bolts removed, you can now remove the old strut.
7. Remove old strut spring, only if you have access to a spring compressor.
8. With spring properly and safely compressed, remove the old strut and install new strut onto existing spring. CAUTION: only perform steps 7-8 if you have a properly working spring compressor.
9. With new strut assembled with spring, secure upper bolts of strut assembly (again, usually accessible under your hood in your engine). Gently secure bolts with wrench.
10. Attach lower part of strut assembly onto steering knuckle. NOTE: use minimal pressure on bolts. We recommend you secure bolts with your fingers for now.
11. Tighten upper and lower strut bolts with wrench to ensure proper installation.
12. Put wheel back on.
13. Safely lower car and perform steps 1-12 for any remaining struts.
14. Take your car for a test drive to “break in” your new struts. Your car should turn, brake and control as normal. If you detect any problems, either make the necessary adjustments or have your mechanic inspect the new struts.

This procedure will work for most domestic and import cars. While you can do the work solo, it’s always recommended to have a friend help you out with the work.