How do you install a new strut on a car?

Installing a New Strut Install the completed strut assembly back into the steering knuckle. Replace the bolts, leaving them finger tight, allowing the assembly to move freely. Place the strut assembly back into the strut tower and replace the strut tower bolts.

Where are the strut bolts located on a car?

Once the strut bolts are out the strut and steering knuckle are separated. Open the hood and locate the strut towers to remove the bolts. Usually they are located at the midpoint of the inside fender well and look like cylinders. They are most likely held in by three small bolts. Remove the strut tower bolts.

How often do you need to replace a strut on a car?

One difference is that when they do wear out, struts are more expensive to replace, but there’s nothing a driver can do about that. Regardless of what suspension system your car has, be sure to have it inspected regularly — every oil change or alignment, or every 5,000 miles or so is fine.

How do you remove a strut from a spring?

Remove the large nut on top of the strut with ratchet and socket combination, and hold the strut rod with a wrench just below the strut bearing. Make a note of the strut top plate rotation before removal and reinstall in the same position. The strut can now be removed from the spring while the spring is still compressed by the spring compressor.

Do you have to install shocks and struts in pairs?

The shocks or struts you purchase may or may not come with detailed instructions for installation. If they do, you should always adhere to those steps for the best results. Also, shocks and struts should only be replaced in pairs (both fronts at the same time, or both rears).

Is it cheaper to replace all rear struts at once?

Repeat the process for all struts you want to change. It’s cheaper to replace struts on a need-to basis, but they tend to wear out all at once, so you might as well do the rest if you’re willing to invest in two or four new struts. The process will work in the same basic way for struts in all positions. Not all cars have rear struts.

Do you need an alignment on your struts?

Some struts or the steering knuckles on some vehicles have slotted holes and will require an alignment after the struts are replaced. Do not drive these vehicles without getting an alignment or the tires will get damaged. Thanks! Rusted, damaged or cracked springs must be replaced.

Which is the best strut assembly for your car?

This ready-to-install complete strut assembly includes everything needed for strut replacement in an affordable, fully-assembled unit. You save time because spring compression is not… Bare Shocks and Struts by FCS®. FCS bare shocks and struts are engineered to restore your vehicle’s handling and control.

How to replace your own shocks and struts?

How to replace shocks and struts 1. Check whether you need a spring compressor. On many cars, the struts/shocks and springs are interrelated or… 2. Securely raise one side of the car. If you’ve got access to an actual lift, great. Driveway DIYers everywhere are… 3. Remove the wheel and extract …

How long does it take to replace front struts?

Plus, removing the rusty nut at the top of the strut could turn into a nightmare if the internal hex stripped out. But these days you can buy a complete strut assembly that eliminates the strut/spring/mount disassembly process. These assemblies allow you to replace both of your front struts yourself in less than two hours.

What are the steps to replace front struts?

Part 3 of 3: Replacing your struts Park your vehicle on a level, hard, and flat surface. Open the hood. Open the hood of the car to provide greater access. Loosen the lug nuts. Position the wheel chocks. Lift the vehicle with jack. Position the vehicle on jack stand. Remove lug nuts and wheels. Disconnect brake hoses. Remove bolts. Mount upper strut.

What’s the cost to replace the front struts?

Like most car repairs, strut replacement cost varies by the type of strut you install as well as how many other components your replace at the same time. As a general rule of thumb, typical strut replacement cost runs about $600 to $700 per pair.

When to replace front struts?

Struts are wear items, since they’re the ones absorbing countless bumps in the road. That’s why some experts recommend replacing struts on a car every 50,000 miles. Improved handling, shorter stopping distances, and a smoother ride are the benefits you realize from changing struts.

Why to replace front struts?

The corner with the weak shock absorber or strut will keep bouncing up and down longer, while the corner with the good unit will rebound slowly and will not bounce more than twice. Another common reason to replace struts is after hitting a major pothole, curb or after an accident.

When do you need to replace your strut assembly?

If your overall ride is becoming bumpy or rough, contact YourMechanic so they can road test, diagnose, and replace the strut assembly if needed. Like most suspension jobs, it’s important to replace both sides of the vehicle at the same time.

Why is strut assembly important to suspension family?

The strut assembly for a car, truck or SUV is a critical member for the suspension family that impacts the overall drivability of the vehicle. While driving any vehicle, hitting bumps and dips along the way is normal and are absorbed by several suspension components to produce a smooth ride.

How can stiffer struts change the ride on a car?

Stiffer struts and new bushings can definitely change the ride on a car. If you were floating along down the road on bad struts, it will feel stiff to you now. The good thing is your handling will be much better and your braking distances will be much shorter. VDCdriver July 6, 2016,…

What does a front strut assembly do for a car?

Your front strut assembly is specifically designed to keep your auto cruising smoothly by absorbing the forces caused by road irregularities. There are independent suspension systems like the MacPherson strut that use front suspension in the assembly.

What should I do if my strut assembly is defective?

I took the car back to my mechanic and he said that he thinks the strut assembly was defective and that I should get a replacement since it was under warranty. I would just pay labor again for him to change it.

Do you have to have front suspension aligned after replacing struts?

Make sure to have the front-end suspension aligned after replacing struts. Regardless of what your local mechanic might tell you, anytime struts or a front-end suspension components is removed, having the suspension professionally aligned is a vital step.

Can a damaged strut be replaced with a bare strut?

When replacing your car’s damaged strut assembly, there are two options available for you: a “complete strut assembly” or the “bare strut”. By replacing the damaged system with a complete strut assembly, you might end up spending more as compared to replacing just one part.

Why do you need to replace your front struts?

By being proactive about replacing your front struts as recommended by your manufacturer, you can avoid further damage to steering and suspension components like shock absorbers, ball joints, and tie rod ends, reduce wear and tear on tires, and maintain a safe-operating vehicle.

How often should front suspension and struts be inspected?

Have your struts and suspension inspected every 25,000 miles or when you notice premature tire wear. Most automotive mechanics suggest having the front suspension components inspected every 25,000 to 30,000 miles.

How to install or replace front struts on any vehicle?

How to Install or Replace Front Struts on Any Vehicle! (Full Guide!) – YouTube How to Install or Replace Front Struts on Any Vehicle! (Full Guide!) If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV’s watch history and influence TV recommendations.

Is it cheaper to change struts one at a time?

Do you need a compressor to change struts?

It’s recommended that the beginner forego attempts to compress the spring on the old strut using a spring compressor or spring clamps. This method is used to save money by salvaging the old spring and installing it on the new strut, but if you don’t have your own strut compressor, it will run you $700.

What happens if you remove the center nut on a strut?

Do not remove the center nut or the strut will come apart and it is under high spring tension. Since you’ve removed the bolts from the steering knuckle, the strut might fall loose after you remove these bolts. It might help to have a partner holding onto the strut assembly while you loosen these bolts.

What’s the best way to change a steering knuckle?

Try hammering a few times on the knuckle itself to loosen things up a bit before hammering directly on the bolts holding the strut to the knuckle. This might take some elbow grease. Depending on the model of your car, you may also need to place your jack under the steering knuckle to raise it slightly and make the bolts visible.

When do steering and suspension knuckles need replacement?

Steering and suspension knuckles often need replacement after collisions, curb strikes, or rust-related issues and bearings can simply wear out, often after 75,000 miles.

When do you need to replace your knuckle Knuckles?

A knuckle is the connection point between the wheel and vehicle suspension, connecting hubs, bearings, calipers, struts, and control arms. Steering and suspension knuckles often need replacement after collisions, curb strikes, or rust-related issues and bearings can simply wear out, often after 75,000 miles.

Which is the best Dorman knuckle replacement product?

New from Dorman! Dorman Loaded Knuckles can help you get your knuckle or Gen-1 bearing replacement job done 75% faster than before. Dorman has the most comprehensive Loaded Knuckle coverage in the Aftermarket with 4x the SKUs of the next largest competitor.

What are the components in a loaded knuckle shoe?

Dorman Loaded Knuckles can help you get your knuckle or Gen-1 bearing replacement job done 75% faster than before. Dorman has the most comprehensive Loaded Knuckle coverage in the Aftermarket with 4x the SKUs of the next largest competitor. What are the components in a Loaded Knuckle? Rear Brake Shoes – Dorman Exclusive!

When do you need to replace upper strut mounts?

If the vehicle is more than a few years old, we typically recommend replacing the factory upper strut mounts with new factory-spec units and here’s why… It’s not hard to understand why an automotive bushing would need to be replaced. Simply put, it wears out! The bushing is the buffer between shock/spring and body of the vehicle.

Can you install new suspension with old bushing?

When installing new suspension with old bushings, you run the risk of not getting the full performance and comfort potential of that suspension when not replacing this bushing. This can often make the suspension spongey in feel and performance and not how the original manufacturer designed the vehicle to handle and perform.

When to replace a top shock mount on a car?

Top strut mounts and upper shock mounts: when to replace? In a car, a strut is a shock absorber that is built into an assembly with the coil spring and the top mount, called a strut mount, see the illustration. A top strut mount connects the strut to the vehicle’s body or frame. Strut mount in a MacPherson strut.

How do you remove a strut from a CV boot?

Jam a pry bar between the strut and the knuckle and pry the knuckle toward you until it pops out of the strut flange. Place a thin piece of plywood under the strut flange to prevent it from damaging the CV boot once you disengage the top portion of the strut.

What makes a strut a shock absorber in a car?

In a car, a strut is a shock absorber that is built into an assembly with the coil spring and the top mount, called a strut mount, see the illustration. A top strut mount connects the strut to the vehicle body or frame.

When do you need to replace your struts?

They get worn out with use and sometimes will break if you’ve gone over some particularly bumpy terrain, resulting in a kind of deep click sound when you turn. Purchasing a quick-strut assembly is the quickest and easiest way to replace the struts yourself.

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