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Strut replacement...easy or hard?

37K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  DaveInColumbus 
#1 ·
I'm considering changing the front struts on my '01. New Monroe quick struts, which seem to include springs and everything, run about $300 for the pair. By looking at the part, it seems like its no more than taking off the wheels, removing some bolts, installing the new struts, then taking it to an alignment shop. It may also involve borrowing a spring compressor from an auto parts store. Anyone have experience doing this or have instructions?

 
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#3 ·
That's correct. And if you take some real careful measurements, where the strut fastens to the steering knuckle, and put the new strut back in the identical location, you may get away with no alignment problems. Worked for me.
You can find some info as follows. Auto Zone will likely have replacement info on their site as well.
Library Information (ARRC):
- Go to http://www.oplin.org/databases/proxy2/proxy.php?doCardCheck=1&txtCardNumber=123456789
- Go to the following Library from the drop down list and submit it.
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
- Go to ALL EBSCOhost Databases and click on it.
- Go down to Auto Repair Reference Center (ARRC) and click on it.
- Submit your "year" and take it from there.
Note: If info isn't there for your year / model, try another year or similar model.

Here's a quote for your vehicle from that site:
NOTE: Make sure to install the correct spring on the correct side of the vehicle. Springs on the left side of the vehicle have a left-hand wind top-to-bottom while springs on the right side have a right-hand wind top-to-bottom.
So the Quick Struts should have a left and right designation.
 
#5 ·
I replaced mine (re-using original springs). They were very easy to do.

If you intend on putting wider tires on your van, and they didn't quite fit previously (rubbed against the struts), now is the time to get them on. On the GEN1, I found the "camber" determines the tire width I can go. Don't tighten the bottom bolts until after you have re-installed the wheels/tires. Use your finger (width) for a minimum measurement, or a 1" piece of wood to slip in between the sidewall and the strut, before tightening the bottom bolts on the struts. Take it to a good alignment shop to get the final adjustments made, so you don't trash a new set of tires.
 
#6 ·
For those that read this ye be warned that replacing struts with a spring compressor while easy if all goes well it can be very dangerous to do.

There is a pretty high risk for serious injury when replacing struts. If a spring clamp where to slip and say a persons head was over the unit one could lose their head. These springs are under a lot of pressure.

So if you are on the fence on doing it by all means just buy the complete assembly. It will also save you a lot of time not having to get any extra tools as well. At least that way you are also getting a new upper bearing as well which has been shown to cause problems down the road for noises.

If you are doing just a strut replacement then make sure you mark where the the location of the spring relation to the strut placement as this sometimes can cause noise down the road if not lined up properly.
 
#12 ·
For those that read this ye be warned that replacing struts with a spring compressor while easy if all goes well it can be very dangerous to do.

There is a pretty high risk for serious injury when replacing struts. If a spring clamp where to slip and say a persons head was over the unit one could lose their head. These springs are under a lot of pressure.
It's not nearly as dangerous as you describe. You could lose a couple of teeth if you aren't careful, but your life is not in danger. It would take a lot more force than what an unloaded strut can provide to take off your head. The best advice is to ensure that the top of the strut isn't pointing toward you when you compress the spring and remove/install the strut rod nut. I've changed a lot of struts -- including a set last Saturday -- and spring compressors are pretty foolproof devices. The hooks that grab the springs are neither shallow nor fragile and simple concentration while doing the job will ensure that the compressors don't slip off.

If you are doing just a strut replacement then make sure you mark where the the location of the spring relation to the strut placement as this sometimes can cause noise down the road if not lined up properly.
Alternately, if you haven't had your van aligned in a long time and/or you plan on having it aligned after strut installation, take the extra time to remove the outer tie rod end after noting where it was before you removed it. Liberally apply antisieze to the toe rod and put the ends back on. Alignment techs are notoriously lazy and will not remove siezed tie rod ends. By doing this, you leave them no excuse for not putting the front alignment right on the numbers.
 
#7 ·
I replaced my struts a year or so ago. Replacing them was pretty simple and straighforward. The bolts take some muscle to remove. A breaker bar helps. I'd also suggest you get quick struts, so you don't have to mess with removing the spring.
 
#8 ·
I remember when I had my struts replaced on a Dodge Aries, the factory manual said that if you mark with a pencil the two bolts on the bottom of the strut, the two through bolts that hold it to the wheel, making a line on the frame of the strut and the bolt, and line them up when you replace the strut, you don't need an alignment. I did that and sure enough, it went back perfectly. I think only one, the bottom one I think, is a cam bolt, that is why the mark is needed. But not being sure, if you mark them both and label them upper and lower when you take them out, you should not have any problem. Of course, if you replace the whole thing and do not reuse the spring housing, that won't work, but noting the angle that the bolts came out (like marking them at 9:00 o'clock" might give you a good reference point for reassembly, to get it close. That is not to say that you won't need an alignment, but the strut replacement won't cause it, according to the book on the Aries. Someone out there must know if the same applies to these later Dodges.
tcwagner1
 
#9 ·
I went on Rock Auto web site and could not find the complete strut assembly for LXI, 3.8L, 2001.

I want ot replace the struts on our Van and avoid compressing springs and have issues. Can you tell me if the part # of the ones you purchased and if they fir my Van?

Thanks
Moe
 
#11 ·
If you time it right you can replace the struts and the tires at the same time which justifies the alignment. And, some places do the alignment for free with tire purchase (Tire Discounters for example).
 
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