Friday, June 3, 2011

Difficulty level of changing rear struts on 2001 Hyundai Elentra GLS?

I%26#039;m under the belief that a new car I bought, this 2001 Hyundai Elantra GLS, requires at least one rear strut. The inner side of the passenger rear tire has random flat spots in it%26#039;s treads. I%26#039;m pretty sure this is common sign of a bad strut. I%26#039;m not sure which strut going bad would cause the right rear tire to get these flat spots, I%26#039;ll assume it%26#039;s the right-rear. Common sense says to replace both struts as replacing just one could make the ride uneven and have the opposite strut wear prematurely. First off, are these the proper struts?





Item Number: 333500 and 333501


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and second, how difficult would it be to change these? I know there are heavy-duty spring coils that are involved which will likely need to be compressed. If possible, can you provide me with a general idea of how to do this?





Thanks for any information and help.|||KYB%26#039;s are great for the Elantra. I was thinking about getting them for my 01%26#039; Elantra GT but they aren%26#039;t the OEM from Hyundai. If you%26#039;re only looking for OEM; the dealer is the best bet.


For the best ride you might as well change all the struts and other parts of the suspension but keep in mind it%26#039;s fairly involving. This site will give you a better idea of what is needed.


http://www.elantraxd.com/DIY/sands.php





IMO changing all the struts to KYB%26#039;s are the way to go.|||The tire wear you are seeing is called Cupping. It is due to lack of rotating the tires at every 6000 miles %26amp; or improper tire inflation. there are two ways to tell if your struts are bad. 1-st, are they leaking, (oil film around below the chrome shaft). 2-nd bounce the struts being tested, rears, up-down Hard from the bumper, let go. There should be 1-1/2 bounces to the car. Normal. Any more then that then they are going bad. To replace the struts you will need a strut spring compressor that is made just for this purpose. If you have never done this b-4 I say bring it in to have it done. I say rotate the tires to the front or replace them %26amp; stay up on tire PSI %26amp; rotations.

I'm really on a budget, and i was tricked into buying a car with a bad strut, on the drivers side.?

Now my Question is Do i have to change both struts?


because its pretty expensive...


The car is a 2000 Honda Prelude, is it a common thing?|||yes and yes...if you only do one strut the car will handle unevenly, and tire wear may be uneven too.|||technically no you do not have to change both but you should because once one goes bad than the other one will start to go bad and quite often by the time it shows that one is bad the other one is on its way to going bad or bad already|||You do not absolutely HAVE TO replace both struts. But it is a good idea, for the same reasons that others have given.|||Yeah! You do want to change them in pairs. Same as most things on a car, even headlights.

How do I change my stabilizer bar strut?

I have a 2003 ford escape,and when I go over a bump it makes a clunking noise. I found out that from the front shock there is a strut connected to the stabilizer arm. When I grab it and shake it it clunks, worn joint I think.|||Very common on Fords where the stabilizer bar link connects between the strut and front sway bar. You can save a few bucks of you have an Advance Auto auto parts store near by. They have TRW steel links complete with grease fittings on both ends. Ford replacements are a few dollars more expensive and you%26#039;ll notice they%26#039;ve switched from the usual plastic links to steel with grease fittings. Carquest and NAPA has them also at comparable prices.

Changing Shock struts?

I am going to change the front shock stuts on my 1995 Chevrolet Corsica. Does this task really require a front end alignment after putting them on? Can it wait a couple of weeks, because after next payday I am going to change the front CV Joints also, does that job require a front end ailignment?|||Yes, after you change the struts/shocks on the front end of your Corsica, it needs aligned. It does not need aligned after the CV joints, but if you have to wait for a little cash any way, a couple of weeks won%26#039;t be that bad on your tires. When was the last time you rotated the tires, if it is even close to half way through that time period, rotate them right after you get it aligned, or have them do it. But by the sounds of it, if you are willing to change the struts on your car, you can handle rotating the tires. It will drive worse for a bit after you change the struts, did you think about waiting until you have to money to get it aligned to change them? Well good luck to you.|||yes it does,if you wait even a little while you will find the car drives terible and will wear tires fast.cv joints dont require an alignment|||Hi there the jobs your going to carry out dont require wheel alignment doing but its always advisable to have it checked ive replaced thousands and not done the wheel alignment afterwards|||swapping the struts will need an alignment - you can get them close by eyeballing it, but it will need done soon.





The cv shaft you can do without an alignment.|||I would suggest that you wait and install the shocks when you do the CV joints.


For two reasons-


1) Reduced time, some of the parts that you have to take out to do the shocks will help you do the CV joints easier. If you are letting a shop do this try to get some time knocked off the flat rate chart because the front end is already apart.


2) Reduced cost, front ends need alignment more often the most of us have it done. So you most likely need an alignment right now anyway and one time is cheaper then two.|||*Red alert! Save your money till you can do both jobs at once. First you need to pop the lower ball joint apart with a pitman arm press, avalable as a free reatal tool at Auto Zone. You will have to press inward the CV half shaft splined end from the front wheel bearings with a 3 finger 5 ton wheel puller to change the struts. This also is a free rental tool at auto Zone. You will be able to complete both jobs at once. Forget a CV joint only. Replace the entire half shaft and you%26#039;ll have two new rebuilt joints, boots and an axle.





You absolutely will not have changed the alignment of your car by changing either or both of these items. You can rent with a credit card (free) the spring compresser tools (Auto Zone) for the front coils once the strut is out of the car.|||Yes you will need an alignment after you replace your struts. I don%26#039;t suggest driving it far because you tires will be out and this could cause your tires to wear VERY fast and also make it very difficult to steer. You will not necessarily need an alignment when you replace your cv joints. I would try to do the alignment after all the front end work is completed to insure a good proper alignment.|||i suspect that you have never done this before:


country boy from big flats is correct but, I have never ever seen a spring that had more then 100k miles that could not use replacement too. In most cases the spring is just as much cause of the boing boing and always the bottoming out than the strut/shock. springs keep the car UP (therefore not bottoming out). and strut/shocks keeps/slows down the movement of the hole suspension


change them both. I have seen cars in NY that would not pass inspection because of shot shocks, struts. Changed the springs and the car passes and handled like new. If you change the springs it will change camber and toe|||I have replaced hundreds of struts and axles in this particular car, you dont have to have an alignment but it is strongly suggested. And wow in my 40 years of doing auto work, this is funny, I have never had to use a pitman arm puller to disconnect a lower ball joint nor use a 5 ton press for the axles, that is hilarious, dude you have no idea as to what you are talking about, try the boyfriend girlfriend questions, not here where you are way out of your league little man with incorrect garbage for answers.

How do you change the front strut and bearings on a 92 lumina?

i need to know please help thats for your advice|||Since this is a %26quot;W%26quot; body car the strut has a replaceable cartridge inside it. It requires the use of specialized tools that allow the cartridge to be removed. The car does not have to be put in the air to change this cartridge. You would be better served by bringing this car to a shop which has these tools.|||Take it to a shop that has a strut compressor. You can not do the job without it or you could get seriously hurt.

How do I change the engine torque strut mount on a 94 Buick?

I was told by the car repair shop that I need to replace the torque strut mount on my 94 Buick Regal 3.8. I tried to do it myself but can not fit the new one in because the rubber on the old one was pushed forward and the engine is sitting about 1/4 to 1/2 inch too far forward. The guy at the auto parts store told me to put the transaxle in neutral and pry the engine back to fit the new strut mount on. If I follow his advice, do I run the risk of messing up anything else that is now relying on the engine being in its current position? Also any advice on tilting the engine back would help.|||I did this years ago on a Buick Century, 1983 model.





As I recall, I used the weight of the car to position the engine. I was either nose uphill or nose downhill and when in %26quot;Park%26quot; the enigne rocks forward or backwards.





If you are a member of the Flat Earth Society and don%26#039;t have a driveway that slopes up or down then you could use a wooden dowel (like1%26amp;1/2%26quot; diameter) or a 1/2 inch breaker bar wedged under an engine bracket (make sures it%26#039;s a steel bracket and not aluminum) and then pull or push the engine until the holes are lined up.





It%26#039;s a bit delicate but not quite neurosurgery.





Good Luck!|||I agree...just try rocking the car back or forth in gear to align the holes or use a pry bar on a steel part of the brackets or engine to get the holes to line up. Loosening the engine bracket bolts may also help too.

Whats the best spring/strut combo for a prelude 95?

i have a 1995 prelude and i need to change my struts and springs..now, i dont need to lower it because the bodykit and 18%26quot; tiresgive that look, i just need good suspension performance..what brand do u reccomend?? thank u|||The shocks are not what lowers the car, it is the springs. You can look into any shock such as Tokico, Koni, Skunk2, etc. It all depends on what you are going to use the car for. Best for drag racing isnt the best for road racing. You could even use an aftermarket strut with a fresh set of factory springs to keep the same ride height. Coilovers are another option where you can adjust the height.|||try looking for koni shocks. I thinks its pretty rare for aftermaket springs to come at stock ride height, so not sure about that.





But the koni shocks can be adjusted and customed to match whatever springs you put on.

How do i change the front strut mounts on a 97 toyota avalon?

both front strut mounts are broken.|||first you need a strut compressor tool to safely remove.You can but or get from some Auto Zone or similar stores for free with a deposit. Then check on line at autozone.com/repairs or buy a repair manual. To explain her is too much detail|||6 bolts and tools.|||Strut springs are under tremendous pressure, and should not be removed without the proper spring compressor and acute knowledge of the correct way to compress them. Most shops can do this for around $85 per side----well worth the money. Plenty of stories about guys losing fingers, arms and breaking ribs trying this without the above mentioned.

I have an 01 Deville. When at high speeds the front end vibrates. and turning makes a popping noise?

changed struts,bearing plates and springs. Also the intermediate steering unit.and i%26#039;m still getting the viberation at high speeds. The popping continues also. What should I do next?|||CV joints

Do i have to change the strut when i get dropzone lowering springs on a 1995 nissan 200sx?

Yes, you should replace the shocks and struts. The factory shocks and struts on just about any vehicle had a tendency to blow out shorlty after the installation of lowering springs. You need to replaced them with shocks and struts that are designed for lowered behicled. Eibach has them and Koni makes good ones as well. You will also need to get your car aligned after lowering the car as it will increase your negative camber. If your factory suspension is not adjustable, then you will have to buy camber bolts to adjust the camber. If you do not do this, you will wear your tires out very quickly

Do u have to change the strut when lowering your car?

want to lower my car got a 1995 nissan 200sx|||yes you do,if you want it done right the strut controls some of the ride height on the car. if you don%26#039;t, the rest of the suspension don%26#039;t sit right. and puts to much stress on those parts|||yes you will have to|||among other things yes will cost about as much as cars worth to lower it|||No, you can just change the springs from a lowering kits, but why not change them anyway while you have them out.

Is changing your own struts/springs dangerous?

My fianc茅 has decided to replace the struts and springs on his car by himself. He claims it%26#039;s an easy job, and that if he needs any help he can always call his friend who%26#039;s a mechanic. With instructions printed off the Internet in hand, my fianc茅 feels very confident about this job.





However, he%26#039;s had his car lifted off the ground and has been tinkering with it for a whole day already, but hasn%26#039;t made any progress. He claims he%26#039;s %26quot;getting the feel of it.%26quot;





Is what he is doing dangerous, or is it a simple maintenance routine that is fairly easy to accomplish and he%26#039;s just being %26quot;slow%26quot; about it?|||You have cause to concerned, it IS dangrous if he doesn%26#039;t have the compression tool needed to compress the spring on the struts before he removes them AND he better use the tool correctly, if he doesn%26#039;t and the strut %26#039;%26#039;busts%26#039;%26#039; loose of the tool, it could seriously injure or even kill him. (this has happened before) if he has a %26#039;%26#039;mechanic%26#039;%26#039; friend, he better use him to do this job.(this is a 30min.job per strut)|||he should be little bit skilled to do it himself if he doesn%26#039;t know how. I would get him a manual. .It helps professionsls...why not him.|||yes it is a dangerous job





the struts are under gas pressure and improper removal of them could result in serious injury , without the proper tools and know how he can very easily injure himself





they make a tool called a coil spring compressor that he will need to get before trying to remove the spring and strut assembly





have him get ahold of his mechanic friend before he goes any farther








B.|||The struts aren%26#039;t hard to do, but Ivan Dag is right. You need the spring compressor toil to compress the springs when putting them back on. Without it, you wont be able to compress the springs (even if he tries, he can%26#039;t). Other then then, it%26#039;s pretty easy. Like Mazda Man said, get a manual, either Chilton%26#039;s or Haynes. It makes repairs much easier.|||yes without the right tools it can be very dangerous.he needs a spring compressor.it%26#039;s pretty straight foreward,but he should get his buddy to help him|||it depends... it can be dangerous if not done carefully... those springs can pop out and seriously hurt a person. short of that i did a pair for my friend with basic hand tools and some spring compressors from harbor freight tools, and had it done in a full day. most of that was cranking on the spring compressors with a ratchet. besides compressing the springs its easy... 3 bolts on top, 3 bolts on the bottom,special offset wrench for the center bolt on top , and thats about it... it still takes time though.|||Any auto work that requires you to put your body or portions of it under the car body is dangerous.


Struts do take time.


To be a novice, without a manual and the right tools is only to ask for problems.


Encourage him to get the manual, to buy to buy some jack-stands and the right tools such as a spring compressor.

On a Cadillac CTS (2003) How do you change the trunk Strut?

One of my trunk struts broke off and I do not see any means of taking off the old part and replace it with a new one.|||Just %26quot;pops%26quot; on and off.|||Before you remove the trunk shock be sure to use a prop to hold the trunk open, when you remove the old shock the trunk will likely fall down, be safe. The trunk shocks are easy to R%26amp;R they will pop off but you may need to open the clamp or clip with a screw driver first. Good Luck and God Bless

How do you change a rear strut in a 1996 Monte Carlo?

If anybody has any information about this i would greatly appreciate it!! Thank you|||To add to Bandit%26#039;s answer.... NEVER remove the large center bolt on the strut until the spring is compressed with a coil spring compressor. It can easily kill you if you do it.|||place a jack under the body and 1 under the strut. mark where the bottom bolts are at so you can get it back in alignment, take out the 2 bottom bolts and then you have about 3 nuts on top that needs to come off and the strut should come off.

Can i change struts on a 2001 eclips without a spring compressor?

could i use C clamps or how muck is a spring compressor|||Not if you value your life, and want your head attached when the job is finished! This is more dangerous than looking down the barrel of a loaded cannon!!





You can buy spring compressers for around $20 if you find the right place, -- but if you get struts from AutoZone, they will let you borrow spring compreser to do the job (usually with a deposit, - but no charge if brought back as good as you took it out)! Buy a manual (Haynes Auto repair manual), -while you are there (if you don%26#039;t have a manual for your vehicle)! It tells and illustrates how to do the job! Costs less than $20 in most places,- and well worth the price because you can continue using it as long as you drive this vehicle!|||not reccommended very dangerous|||dont try it without the proper tools, dont even attempt with a g clamp. Go to any parts shop, a compressor costs about 40 bucks. loosen the top nut, dont remove yet,fit the compressors and wind them down until the spring is loose, have the new strut ready to fit everything on. use the new nut that comes with the strut|||I wouldn%26#039;t try with out a spring compressor


but here%26#039;s a good place to start


harbor freights|||u can go to autozone, advanced auto. ect. and rent the tool for the day it will only cost u $20. rental fee $ 50. deposit|||No.|||those springs can be a pain and probably not worth the work without spring compressor, check auto-zone and see if they have a spring compressor to rent, c-clamp will just slip off, one of the auto stores should rent one, I really don%26#039;t see any other way, those springs stay under pretty good tension on the strut|||Absolutely not! And that is with any kind of vehicle.

Can the shocks on a 99 avalon be replaced with out changing the struts on the front?

the shock is part of the strut, but yes you can change just the shock within the strut, you%26#039;ll need a special tool to do it so you don%26#039;t kill yourself though, a lot of do it your self types find it cheaper to just replace the whole strut as the tool can be quite expensive, and if your taking it to a shop that doesn%26#039;t have the tool and they want to replace the whole strut, you may want to find another shop.|||Of course.|||Yes they can. If nothing is wrong with the struts. Why replace them ? Everybody will tell you to do both at the same time for one reason or the other. But I have seen it happen and it is not that bad.

How do you change the strut coil spring on a 98 malibu?

You need a spring compressor tool to compress the spring


before you can remove it from the strut.|||take the strut off and take it to a shop so they can break it down and put a new spring on

When should one change struts in a honda accord 1999; after how many miles or years?

how much does it cost?|||This varies. I just bought replacement struts for our %26#039;00 V6 Accord at 95K miles. The car still handles reasonably well, but does not manage the road the way it did when new.





Manufacturers recommend ~ 60K miles as a rule of thumb interval for replacing struts. This will vary depending upon how you drive your car...if you%26#039;re prone to hitting potholes, and drive mostly over substandard roads %26amp; with heavy passenger loads, you might find that you need to change struts sooner. In my case, I baby the car, and they%26#039;ve lasted longer.





One easy test you can perform is to have a couple of people push down hard on one corner of a bumper, then release and observe how the car rebounds. If it%26#039;s not taught, but if it rebounds more than once, odds are your struts need replacing. Also, if the car tends to float %26amp; bob over grade changes such as railroad track crossings, then it%26#039;s a good sign to change the struts.





The problem in sensing when to change struts is that they tend to fail very slowly %26amp; gradually....you%26#039;ll scarcely notice the change season-to-season.|||bounce over the shock absorber until it%26#039;s rocking a lot, then stop. If it settles immediately-they%26#039;re ok. if not.......

What parts do i need exactly to change a rear strut from top to bottom?

Is for a 2003 dodge stratus es, 2.7 four door!|||just a strut dude but you better have the right tools and know what you are doing because if you don%26#039;t you can end up losing a finger and can really get hurt.DONT BE SO CHEAP TAKE IT TO A SHOP IF YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO IT. ive been called so many times to come out or over to so and so%26#039;s house cause they screwed up so save your self the grief and headache.|||get parts from parts store/no big deal/may need a spring compressor

What is the easiest way to change the air strut on a 92 lincoln continental?

im changing the rear|||The rear should have an air bag that will come free when the car is jacked and the air line is removed from the solenoid. I would replace the solenoid along with the air bag so just unscrew it from its mount, remove the air bag then pull the air line from the solenoid using the brass connector. It will be a lot easier than trying to pull it when the assembly is still on the car. Then reverse the process.

Why should I have to have my strut mounts changed?

My car is only 4 years old. A Honda Civic. Isn%26#039;t it kind of early for that to happen?|||It certainly sounds early and I don%26#039;t know WHO recommended that? Struts are equivalent to shock absorbers, especially front wheel drive. If you have AAA, they have a decent inspection in case you bought this as a used car despite being only 4 years old. Mounts are rarer to be changed. If the car%26#039;s suspension is bad (much like shock absorbers) then strut repair can be a strut cartridge replacent as that is an inner part instead of replacing the whole strut. Also, repairs are generally done in pairs, like front left as well as front right. Also, many cars have struts for the front, but absorbers for the rear. Other things like tie rods and ball joints can be at fault if you have steering problems. Find a good mechanic or use AAA if you use AAA. Like many things in life, it%26#039;s best for things to be done properly and not just cheap. Like the old AAMCO transmission commercial, it%26#039;s pay me now or pay me more much later. Finding a good qualified mechanic is always a good thing. Ask around friends and neighbors who they recommend. They can be like gold.|||Strut mounts on a Civic only 4 years old? The only reason I could see you needing them is if it was causing the strut springs to squeak, or you%26#039;ve been using it to drive in the Baja 500. I%26#039;d definitely get a second opinion, because the only way you%26#039;d need strut mounts at only 4 years old would be due to extreme driving conditions or a shop trying to take you to the cleaners. Good luck and hope this helps.|||good idea to change them because eventually they will bang and squeak if you don%26#039;t.

How hard is it to change struts with a friend?

I have intermediate car repair knowledge...





I understand I will need a spring compressor other than that...anything else I should know?|||depends on vehicle . Get a good repair manual for year and make of car and scope it out . Also most parts stores offer rental tools for the job . On some it is not just a %26quot;spring compressor%26quot; .|||if you or your friend have never replaced struts it it advisable to find a friend who has done it before. it is not too difficult but having someone there who has done it before will help greatly.

How hard is it to change struts?

I have a Toyota Corolla i think its a 92, I%26#039;m trying to save money by not going to the shop, i was just wondering if anyone knew how hard it would be or if there is a how to site anyone knows of.|||In this case if you have to ask you shouldn%26#039;t even attempt it. The job itself is simple but it is VERY dangerous if you don%26#039;t know what you%26#039;re doing, even with the right tools. This is one situation where you shouldn%26#039;t try saving money.|||I%26#039;d let someone else do this if you%26#039;ve never done this before! That coil spring can shoot off and kill you if not done the right way.|||unless you got the right tool to remove the springs with they can come off and literally take your head off,those are dangerous to work on ,id let a shop repair this one,struts can be dangerous to work on especially if you have never done any before,good luck.|||Actually Monroe (and I think Gabriel) have something called %26quot;quick struts%26quot; they are a one piece unit that requires no removal of the spring or disassembly of the old strut. It makes the job alot easier and safer....and along with the new strut it has a new spring which will probably ride better than a slightly worn spring.|||They bolt in and bolt out but you do need a spring compressor to remove the strut from the assembly. These can be rented but are potentially dangerous to use if you do not know what you are doing.

How do you change struts on a 91previa?

how do you change them and how long will it take?|||back or front ? the front usually takes longer.

Other than a spring compressor do you need any other special tools to change struts on a 2001 Ford Taurus?

You need one of those long metal bars too for leverage. On the rear axle after you unbolt the struts from the axle you need to separate the two but even if it%26#039;s not corroded down there you need to insert a long metal pole between the bottom of the car and the axle just like so and press on it to pop the axle off the bottom of the struts in the rear. I watched how the repair shop did mine. It%26#039;s takes a few tries for it to work. It%26#039;s very hard to do, I would recommend just having a tire shop do it.|||Two I can think of are a impact wrench and a torque wrench.|||no you sure dont, ive done it a few times with a spring compressor and my tool box no special tools needed and no big hydraulic lift, just jack it up and im sure you know the rest. its very easy not as hard as most people think. good luck





p.s. you dont need an impact wrench, or a special wrench. you may need a rubber mallet to help get the control arms bolts out.|||No but be careful removing the springs they are very dangerous at the point of removal. Ensure the spring compressors are in good working order and you always face the springs away from you in case they let go. They can cause serious injury or death if they hit you.

How hard is it to change struts and how much does it cost?

I have a 1994 Pontiac Sunbird and need to change the struts...so what am I looking at here?|||$300 for parts and labor.





Your car%26#039;s front brakes do atleast 60% of the braking. Bad struts reduces this reducing your cars braking ability.





It hurts your car%26#039;s suspension.





You%26#039;ll wear out your brakes, suspension, and tires faster than normal.





The cost will multiply if you ignore the bad struts.





Your life may depend on if you have to stop fast to avoid an accident and the car does not!|||You need special tools . Specially if they are inside the springs. IThere are people who buy the tools but I think you would benefit better if you took the car in . It costs more in some 0places than others. so shop around and get quotes.|||The struts cost about $130.00 for both front, cost of labor will depend on who puts them on ! You could also need a frontend alignment !|||call sears and get quote

Changing a car strut?????????

Hello, Im changing a front car strut. The spring broke so it was easy to get off. I do have the spring compression tool, and I compressed the new one and assembled the strut/strut mount/ and spring. However the top but that holds the strut mount to the strut will only tighten a little and then the whole strut spins around with it (the center) How do I get this not to happen so I can tighten it and but it back in??? There is no pressure on it I had the spring compressed. Thanks.|||we use an air gun at the shop|||Put vice grips on the shaft towards the top of the shaft which you will need to release the compression tool to get between the spring coils.

How to change strut mounts?

I OWN A 95 MAZDA PROTEGE, MY FRONT STRUT MOUNTS HAVE GONE COMPLEATLY GONE OUT. I GOT THE CAR FROM MY BOYFRIENDS PARENTS, THEY UESED J.B WELD TO HOLD THEM IN. NOW THEY HAVE TO BE FIXED. I BOUGHT THE MOUNTS FROM A LOCAL AUTO ZONE, HOWEVER NO ONE COULD TELL ME HOW TO CHANGE THEM OUT. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW? OR HAVE A HOW TO WEBSITE I CAN GO TO?|||ill tell you how to do it but is not easy for newbies





raise the both front tires and put jack stands (that will help you to release and adjust the link at the strut)





remove 2 17mm bolts on the strut


remove the link with an 6mm allen and 12mm wrench (thats is one style of link but same car uses (depend on location) different links styles)


remove 3-4 12mm on the top of the strut





now with springs compressors, release the 19mm nut but not completely or the spring can take off really hard and serious hurts can occur, compress the spring and release completely the 19mm nut and that%26#039;s it





ill charge you 20$ bucks for the info, ill spy on your computer for any credit car number|||The strut mount plates are installed on shocks then the assembly is installed in the car.

Change strut mounts or sway bar links?

I have a 01 corolla with 152000 miles in it and I just changed all four struts. Now, everytime I go on bumps, Im hearing clunking noises. My mechanic told me that I have to change my front strut mounts and my rear strut mounts. Another mechanic told me, it could be the front sway bar links. I checked the front sway bar links to see if its loose but there not. However, I do see lots of rust. Any suggestions? I%26#039;ll try to post pictures tomorrow.|||Read the post below. That procedure is the ONLY way to know for sure. Any pro mechanic worth their salt does it that way. Anything else is just guessing.





http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com鈥?/a>

How is the ride quality on Skunk2 coilover sleeves?

Preferably on a 5th gen Prelude SH with stock struts. But other experiences will do also. I just want to know the ride quality. I know I should change the struts also but I don%26#039;t have the money for that as of now. I will probably change it by next year. Also if you wanted to know, I had many experiences in changing struts and springs and lowering cars, I%26#039;ve lowered many of my friends%26#039; cars.|||anytime you lower the car there is less spring travel so the ride is going to be more stiff. im sure you know coilovers are most of the time adjustable but if you slam the car expect a very stiff ride as opposed to a normal drop.





also the more you drop the quicker your stock struts will blow.





skunk2 are alright and pretty good for the price but I like tein better but they are a pretty penny.





either way the ride quality isnt sacrificed that much as long as you dont max them out.

Do I have to change the strut springs?

I have a 1997 Mercury Sable, sedan and the gap between the tire and the fender is bigger on the front than it is in the back, and I don%26#039;t know what is causing that, recently I changed the Struts itselves but that did not fix the problem.|||you may be trying to fix a problem that don%26#039;t really exist,most cars have a different gap in the clearance between the front and the rear,as long as both sides set equal their alright,they wont ride perfectly level when the car is new,so their may not even be a problem with it,the springs can get weak over the years,but if you have about the same height on both sides it should be alright,good luck.|||The distance can be bigger, some cars are just designed that way. If youre that anal, youll have to either get body blocks, or adjustable springs. The concern would be if one front wheel has a bigger gap then the other front wheel.

Front Struts- iam changing the intire strut i pick up another from the scrape yard. alinement must not change?

i am not compressing a strute iam changing the intire strute not just the spring|||Alignment will change, if that%26#039;s your only question. And yes, a strut from a junk yard is not a good idea.|||You will still need to compress the spring.Scrap yard struts are not a good idea,by the way.|||Yeah, front struts simply change the intire strut. It%26#039;s always been that way and it will doubtless always stay that way, too|||No your alighnment will not change, ignore what he said! Swapping strut assemblies does not effect alighnment! But next time, if you care about your car, buy a new one! junkyards are great, but personally i would not use suspenion components from a junkyard... Good luck with your swap!

How much would it cost to bring my 1994 accord to a shop and change the strut?

I live in staten island and is there any places i can get it fixed with a good price? I can do it but i dont have time. So how much would it cost? thanks|||If you go to google products at:





http://www.google.com/products?q=1994+ho鈥?/a>





You%26#039;ll notice that the stut assembly is about $70 and the strut mount about $25.





However, labor costs about $85 an hour and most mechanics will charge you for 3hrs (some even 4hrs!)





So, expect about $255 for labor and $100 in parts, throw in some tax and you%26#039;ll be looking at $400!!|||Gee....I%26#039;m in New Mexico, so don%26#039;t think I can give any places, but I%26#039;d imagine it%26#039;d be about $500, trying to think how more expensive NYC area is than out here in this hot.....dry......no water for miles.....lonely......desert.........|||do it yourself man, Time is money.|||I wouldnt just relace one I would replace all of them. They cost anywhere from $35.00 a pc. to $100.00 for the factory ones. You should have 2 strust and 2 shocks. I would put a set of Tokiko or Konis on it and do it myself.





If you pay more than 300.00 for (2) with labor you are being ripped off. And for the rear if more than $150.00 again you are being ripped off.|||All I heard when replacing my struts on my old corolla was %26quot;oh they%26#039;re cheap%26quot;. I got 3 quotes, cheapest one was around $800, that was at pepboys.





I also have a 94 accord, I looked into replacing the struts, they%26#039;re around $60 each for KYBs, depending on where you get them. You also need boots, and it isnt a horrible idea to replace the mounts too. Labor will be a couple hundred dollars, so expect upwards of $500, you also need an alignment when they are installed.





Replace them yourself if you say you can! Mechanics are the guys you go to for an engine rebuild, alignment, tires, or something that involves expencive machinery.|||you%26#039;ll pay about 150 for all four and 45 bucks an hour for installation so do the math

Need an estimate on how much it would cost to change one strut/shock?

I was just wondering how much it would cost to change one strut/shock on a 99 nissan maxima..|||just cuz i am a nice guy i called a shop for you (im in the military 24/7 shop on base) and here in florida it will run 80 dollars labor plus parts|||If the manifold isnt damaged and the differential is in place 189.00 should be your top price if you go to pick your parts.|||$50 plus the parts.|||Mark, I think she was talking about the strut reduction manifold. You know, the one that delivers pressure to the Kanuder valve.|||J.B. Rule of thumb here is labor will match the price of the part. Look at the people doing the work...! Monroe is your best bet a Sensa-Trac will match with the other three. $104.00


Take a look at the strut bearing and plate $54.00 Most complaints are attributed to this part. {erratic steering control}


A rear strut would run around $54.00 Datsun is a well made car. And by the way stop before you hit the curb. Plays havoc on the tires. Redd

Advice for changing struts?

any advice greatly appreciated. we bought 2 front strut assemblies for a 95 eagle vision. we will have the spring compressor.|||Jack up your car then remove the nut off the bolt on the bottom of the strutt but don%26#039;t remove the bolt just yet..now take another jack and push up on the lower control arm that the strutt is mounted on till you can move the bolt freely..now remove the bolt and then go under the hood and remove the nut from the top of the old strutt..then let the jack down slowly till the strutt can be removed safely ..now put the new strutt on by putting up into the hole and replace the nut under the hood..now put the strutt in the space it goes on the control arm and jack up the control arm till you can put the bolt through..and put the nut on..with doing it this way you don%26#039;t need a spring compressor..and it is very safe.i%26#039;ve done many many strutts using this technic..and i%26#039;ve never had one problem..have fun my friend.|||whatch your fingers other than that you got it|||You will find that the bolt holes are slotted instead of round. That is for wheel alignment ajustment. Draw the outline of the holes and the exterior of the strut with a sharp tool to make sure you re-install exactly at the same spot. Afterwards monitor your tire wear for a while to make sur the alingment is still good.|||Excellent advice from frigon_p. You might still want to have your front end alignment checked afterwards.


The biggest factor is safety. Make sure the car is supported securely on stands and be very sure that the spring compressor is installed on the strut spring correctly. If that spring gets loose, it can certainly hurt or kill anyone in the way. A Haynes manual would help quite a bit.|||i own a repair shop and your getting ready to do a really dangerous job if you have a cheap made spring compressor and it slips on the spring that thing can take a limb off if its under enough pressure,that really not a job i recommend the average mechanic try and do,but if you are going to try and do this remove the whole assembly off the car and do it this way ,and be careful,good luck with it.|||Wear eye protection.

Is it ok to change 1 strut on the front of a Honda Civic and not change the other one at the same time?

The car has 60 k miles on it. The driver side front strut seems to compress much easier than the passenger side one. Thanks!|||Yes, you can replace just one strut.|||You have to change both.|||NO! You have to replace both. It is a safety issue. The car will not control properly if you just replace one.|||I cant believe the stupid answeres on here -





NO you can change 1 strut, just be sure to have the front end alignment after or you will be replacing it again.|||With only 60K miles on it I doubt the strut is in need of replacement. However, if it is leaking, go ahead and replace it and leave the other alone. These parts typically last 100K miles or so.|||lol, yes you can change 1 strut, it is advised that you change them in pairs, but it%26#039;s not necessary!! it%26#039;s pretty much like anything, ball joints (uppper/lower), tires, etc., etc. they recommend that you replace them in pairs (because it might effect the vehicle handling), but it%26#039;s not always necessary.





as mentioned, if you do the strut, have the alignment checked, and if you notice any big difference in handling, you might want to consider having the other strut done (but that%26#039;s up to you). you might have to pay for an additional alignment though.

The Honda dealer says I need to change my front strut cause one is leaking. What can happen, if I don't?

I have a %26#039;03 Honda Civic with 60k miles on it that is a daily driver mainly highways. I am the only one that drives my car and I am a responsible driver. I took it into the dealership for an oil change today. The dealer came back with 1 front strut that is leaking but recommends that I change both. If I do not change my struts, what will happen?|||Your vehicle handling will suffer, fuel mileage, braking, stopping distance, etc. I would go to a retailer that specializes in shocks/struts. Most are less then half the price of the dealer and give you a lifetime warranty on them.


You always should replace them as a pair.|||your car will rock and roll like a haywagon going down the road, and your ability to negotiate hard turns will be crap.





Surprising that a 03 civic would have that issue with only 60k on it.....take it to another mechanic before you do anything rash. And spray it off first.|||Visit the site below.


Basically your struts effect a lot on your car such as stopping distance, wear on tires, overall suspension performance.


I suggest if its needed then get it done, it will do you more good in the long run for your car.|||struts could lead to uneven wear on your tires. One bad strut causes car to bounce up and down. Replacing your struts could be cheaper than replacing tires and getting an alignment in the long run. take it somewhere else. Make sure they explain why.|||You will continue to have a loud bumpy ride. If you let it go you will also have to replace the strut mount if it isn%26#039;t already shot and they are expensive. You also have to replace them both when you replace one. You run the risk of breaking a motor mount from the shock of the car slamming down all the time.|||you will have a bumpy ride that doesn%26#039;t handle the way it is supposed to plus you can damage front end parts.|||UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, BAD HANDING, ACCIDENT AND BAD RIDE.








TRY FINDING AN INDEPENDENT SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER OR A CHAIN STORE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE OVERALL MORE PLEASED WITH THE FINDINGS AND THE SERVICE.

Do i need to change the strut mount if i change the strut?

i hit a curve and the strut is damaged, should i also replace the strut mount or i can use the old one with new strut?|||You can probably use the old one but if you go to the trouble of getting the strut off and apart this would be the time to replace it. Also on most vehicles after you replace the struts you should have the alighnment checked. So I would replace both struts and mounts now.|||May as well do it now!!

Can I change the strut on a 1999 mustang without a spring compressor?

The manual I have has the car jacked up(jack stand too), tire off, and another jack under lower control arm. It seems this keeps spring slightly compressed while you remove and replace strut.|||I do not think so for safety sake. Check the auto-zone web site under repairs for a description on how to remove. also I think you can borrow a spring compressor from auto zone, no need to buy|||For the sake of you health....use a compressor. You can buy them from Autozone or Napa and are not that costly.|||dial 1 800 new teeth get loane for free most auto parts store...or 20 dollar loaner

WHEN CHANGING STRUTS DO I CHANGE THE COIL TOO?

my car is a nissan maxima 96 with 185,000 miles on it, the struts and coil spring haven%26#039;t been changed and i really need new struts should i just buy the struts or buy a coil spring too???





when i get higher than 50 mph on my passenger side i can hear and feel rattling so i guess i should or what do you all think???|||If the springs don%26#039;t cost much I%26#039;d replace them at the same time as the struts since they have to compress the springs to replace the struts. It%26#039;s seems it%26#039;s always the labor part that costs the most.|||check spring for sag [measure length uncompressed] compare to specification. Replace both if either out of spec.|||Age and usage,maybe.springs are steel likley to be good.struts only on the cheap.A better job struts and springs = better handling and traction,certainly in snow conditions.|||You do not need to change the coil springs unless they are collapsed, and that is unlikely, and if you have a rattle check the strut mount bolts and nuts to make sure they are tight, they are located under the hood, there should be three bolts sticking up through the fender well with nuts on them, make sure they are tight.

Is it hard to change strut mounts on 02 chevy malibu?

do i need a spring compressor to change mounts|||You can probably remove the strut assembly from the car, (remove the 3 nuts on the top of the strut mount, NOT the one in the center!!) but don%26#039;t mess with the springs yourself. It is extremely dangerous and best taken to a pro with the proper equipment.|||no. unbolt the top and loosen bottom of the strut and you will have enough clearance to switch them out. i would recomend an alignment when you are finished.|||yes,,and it can be a dangerous job,,i own a repair shop,,and almost had one of those take my head off,,because of a faulty tool,,your better off having it done,by a professional,,i did invest in the more expensive tool now I%26#039;m safe doing it,,but i have a hole in my ceiling to remind me of what could have happened,,I%26#039;m going to leave it there,,to show customers who think that it is an east job,,and as a reminder to me of how close i came to being hurt really bad,,i hope you take it some where and get it done,,maybe this will help you.,,,if its just the top mounts you can replace them,but always take caution when working on a front end.

Could someone tell me how to find a guide on changing struts on a 93 grand prix?

GO TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY AND YOU CAN DOWN LOAD FROM THE CHILTON%26#039;S MANUAL THE CHAPTER ON SUSPENSION AND BODY REPAIRS. THIS MANUAL USUALLY HAS PHOTO%26#039;S TO HELP FIRST TIMERS GET DOWN TO BUSINESS RIGHT AWAY|||Go to alldata.com. you can buy a subscription fairly cheap that will tell you just about anything. Many repair shops use it as there reference.

What r the best strut in the auto market?

I want to change strut %26amp; spring in my corolla ware can i get a good deal does anyone have a wed page could check it out.GOD BLESS thank u|||The best are Bilstien. However this would be over kill for a little economy car like yours. I seriously doubt this car has ever seen a race track.





Your real question is what are the best strut for my application, a small economy car used as daily driver. In my opinion the best struts for a daily driver are Monroe Struts. The Monroe-Matic Plus are all the struts that you will need for this car. They would give a decent ride and handling. Anything more would be a waste of money.

Can anyone help me with instructions on changing struts on a 1991 mercury sable?

anyone know of a online instruction manuel that is free to show me how to change struts on a 1991 mercury sable?|||No such things as free manuals, owners manuals, wiring diagrams, etc. Manufacturers hold strict copyrights to all those items.





Hit up your local auto parts store and plop down $25 and get a Haynes manual for your year and make of car. This manual will walk you through how to troubleshoot items, how to fix items from a light bulb and fuse to how to rebuild the engine. Covers all angles of the car with diagrams, photos, step by step instructions, tools needed, etc.





Never leave home without your Haynes.


http://www.Haynes.com|||Ditto the Haynes manual.





Besides, you%26#039;ll need some VERY strong clamps and such, as you need to compress the springs around the strut before you can remove it. Obviously you need to remove the wheels and the brakes and all that first. And you always do them in pairs (yes, both sides at once).|||it%26#039;s a ford so trade it in

Strut - Is it easy to change? Are there different types of struts available?

I need to change front wheel strut in camry. Should i change both at the same time? Problem is only on right side. I see different types of struts Trac, Gas, gs-2 gas etc. Which is good? Changing strut is a DIY job?|||By strut I take it you mean Macfearson strut,internal damper.If so,then no,its not diy,usually.Getting the strut off isn%26#039;t so hard,compressing the spring to allow damper removal can be deadly.lot of potential force built up in spring pressure.spring compressors are availiable,but I wouldn%26#039;t use less than 3 and some times that%26#039;s not enough,sliped off once,dam spring must%26#039;ve went thirty or more feet up in the air,good job it missed my face,or anything else!.You want cheap,take the strut off and take it to a garage for change,shouldn%26#039;t cost more than an hours labour.I prefer to do both sides at the one time.Imagine wearing one new shoe,and one of your old ones on the other foot,do you think u could walk okay?let alone run?|||In a nutshell...No. Changing struts is not a DIY job. If it has struts that come out in one assembly(spring and shock) together then the spring is under extreme load and will expand rapidly once the top bolt is removed and hurt you. You might be able to take the strut assembly out as one piece and take it to your local shop to disassemble/reassemble and save a few bucks but you will just have to put them back on the car to take it in anyway for an alignment. I have done them in the past with spring compressors but it is NOT at all safe and I would greatly recommend leaving that particular job to the pros.

Do you need to have strut boots/mounts installed when changing shocks/struts on the front suspension?

I own a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS and was curious if strut boots/mounts are required to install new shocks/struts on the front end of the car. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks.|||The boots are usually OK unless damaged, how-ever the bearing plate that sits on top of the strut may need to be replaced if it is worn or damaged. The mounts if your referring to the rubber mounting parts should come new with the new struts.|||sometimes they are wore out also.. the rubber boot maybe mount maybe not so much....with out boot the mount wears so.. with out looking it would be hard to say if your are bad or not|||





Required? Only if known to be bad. Advisable? Yes, particularly if there are 60,000+ miles on your car. The relatively minor increase in the cost of the job is more than outweighed if you decide not to, only to have a mount fail in ten thousand miles. If that were to happen you would wind up paying all of the labor costs again, including alignment, and then you%26#039;d probably be saying %26quot;Why didn%26#039;t I...%26quot;. The boots on the other hand are not as important. While serving a purpose, if one were to crack it wouldn%26#039;t necessarily require re-doing the job but could be put off until the next change. Consider it hedging your bets.|||they are not that exspensive so i would it cost twice if you have to go back to repair an annoying squeek