Thursday, November 21, 2013
How Difficult Is it to Replace Front Struts
Struts are combination devices that perform three important tasks: they suspend the car with a spring, control body roll with shock absorbers and act as the upper suspension control arm. Replacement can be a do-it-yourself procedure provided you have some basic mechanical skills.
Tools
Struts generally come out with a few basic hand tools: sockets, ratchets, wrenches and pliers among them. Youll also need a tire lug wrench and a floor jack. The ball-joint removal tool (sometimes, a "pickle fork") is the only remotely specialized tool you might need to replace the strut, but most applications dont require one.
Basic Procedure
First youll need to lift the applicable corner of the car off of the ground until the wheel dangles in the air. Remove the wheel, then slip the jack under the lower control arm or brake rotor to help lift the arm back into place. Remove the bolt(s) securing the strut to the steering pivot, then remove the three or four bolts under the hood that hold the top of the strut to the cars chassis.
Complications
Youll probably need to remove the brake line from the caliper and any clips that secure it to the strut, which will necessitate a brake-bleeding job afterward. You may also need to remove the brake rotor, brake caliper, steering end links and/or anti-roll bar end-links.
