How to Replace Struts

The suspension system plays an important role in balance and safety of the car. It influences the control and handling characteristics. The suspension system consists of various parts. Shocks and struts control the speed of the suspension, which is important for keeping the tires in contact with the ground. So when you experience a rough ride with your car, it may be time to replace the struts. Worn out struts will cause the wheels to bounce unnecessarily during regular driving or when you apply brakes. It is recommended by most of the car manufacturers to get your struts replaced every 40,000 miles. However, it is always better to get them changed whenever they show signs of going bad.

Replacing Struts on a Car
It is possible to replace struts on your own. All you need is some basic mechanical skills and the right tools needed for the job. These are some simple steps which will guide you through the entire process of how to change struts. Have a look at them.

Step 1: Lift or raise your car from the front end using a car jack. Once the car is in the air, secure the car, supporting it with jack stands.

Step 2: Spray a penetrating fluid on all the nuts and bolts on the wheels to loosen them up. Then carefully remove the wheel and place blocks under the control arm.

Step 3: Open the hood of the car and locate the strut towers, which looks like cylinders. In most assemblies, they are held by three small bolts. Loosen these bolts and remove them. Now hold the strut assembly as it becomes loose and may fall.

Step 4: The struts are held by three large bolts to the steering knuckle. Carefully remove these bolts to set the strut free. They may have to be hammered out as they are very tightly fixed. Now that the strut assembly is free, pull it out from the car and place it on the ground.

Step 5: The large nut on top of the strut, that looks like a disc, is actually the strut bearing. Remove this large nut with the help of a strut spring compressor, and hold the strut rod with a wrench, below the bearing. The strut bearing and spring is now completely free from the old strut.

Step 6: Assemble the new strut by putting the spring over it and installing the strut bearing on the spring. Replace the large strut rod nut as per the instructions given by the manufacturer.

Step 7: Now install the new strut assembly back into the steering knuckle. Replace all the nuts and bolts and tighten them, but make sure the assembly moves freely. You just have to do the reverse of removing the strut assembly.

Step 8: The next step is that once the new strut assembly is in its place, examine all the parts and check the torque specifications.

Step 9: Put the wheels back carefully. Tighten all the bolts properly. Now you can lower your car and remove the car jack.

Step 10: Your car is all set to hit the roads. Get ready for a smooth long drive!

You can get the struts replaced by a professional, but the struts replacement cost that they quote can be quite heavy on your pocket. It would be better to get the job done yourself, if you want to save some money or if you are the 'do it yourself' types!