[canadmos]

Has anyone ever replaced the front struts on a car? I understand the basics of it, but have never attempted it before. It should be simple enough, 5 or so bolts per side and maybe one brake line mount?

How frustrated will I get with the lower bolts being seized?

I figure I can employ the help of a friend who has the garage space, tools (including my floor jack) and pay him in beer for the time. Rather than the labor for the job, which will be about the same as the parts.

 

[junkyard]

Don’t get frustrated with bolts, get new ones so you can cut old ones off.

 

[Adventurous]

Super easy provided you buy the strut preloaded with a spring; I wouldn't mess with trying to unload and swap over your current ones.

Otherwise you are correct, 3 bolts up top, two on the knuckle. Hit everything with generous squirts of PB blaster a few days beforehand, and repeat a couple of times before you tackle it.

Antiseize the threads of whatever bolts come out and you shouldn't have a problem getting it apart if you ever have to again.

 

[Westy]

Safety Third

 

[canadmos]

Super easy provided you buy the strut preloaded with a spring; I wouldn't mess with trying to unload and swap over your current ones.

Otherwise you are correct, 3 bolts up top, two on the knuckle. Hit everything with generous squirts of PB blaster a few days beforehand, and repeat a couple of times before you tackle it.

Antiseize the threads of whatever bolts come out and you shouldn't have a problem getting it apart if you ever have to again.

Yeah I plan on getting KYB's, which come with the spring already mounted up. Apparently KYB also made these for Toyota, so should be better than the Monroe quick struts that I've read about.

Excellent point on lubing up a few days prior...

Pretty sure I also need front right wheel bearing too, but that one I'll let the shop tackle.

 

[Adventurous]

Safety Third

View attachment 140819

I've used spring compressors before and its terrifying. I won't say never again, but gosh I hope never again.

 

[Adventurous]

Yeah I plan on getting KYB's, which come with the spring already mounted up. Apparently KYB also made these for Toyota, so should be better than the Monroe quick struts that I've read about.

Excellent point on lubing up a few days prior...

Pretty sure I also need front right wheel bearing too, but that one I'll let the shop tackle.

TBH, it's just a little more disassembly to get to the wheel bearing, and not bigly difficult to replace if you buy the pre-assembled wheel hub and bearing assembly. It should take a shop no more than 30 additional minutes to replace the strut while they are at it.

 

[Brian HCM#1]

Yeah I plan on getting KYB's, which come with the spring already mounted up. Apparently KYB also made these for Toyota, so should be better than the Monroe quick struts that I've read about.

Excellent point on lubing up a few days prior...

Pretty sure I also need front right wheel bearing too, but that one I'll let the shop tackle.

Struts are easy, same as wheel bearings, just need to pack them with grease.

 

[maxyedor]

Struts are one of the easiest things there are to replace, only tip I'd add that hasn't been mentioned yet is to have a gander under the car and see if disconnecting the either control arm from the spindle may be required for clearance. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, if it is, rent a ball-joint separator from the parts store and pick up some replacement cotter-pins.

Definitely just buy replacement hardware now if you live somewhere salty, hose them with penetrating oil now, but if they're at all rusty replace those bolts for your own sanity, Toyota bolts are made of cheese.

 

[stoney]

Done it a bunch on Subaru's. Spring compressors are a terrifying thing, but they get the job done. Subie springs are really big though.

I've always pulled the whole assembly off, supported the a-arm with a wood block and made sure to hang the caliper to not hang by the hose. When disassembling, don't get in-line with anything, keep the spring hat and strut perpendicular to yourself in case it shoots.

 

[MikeD]

I did it on a 2004 Subie on all four corners with no prior knowledge, the car's scissor jack, and some jackstands. Hand tools and a Makita electric impact. In a driveway in Africa.

New struts came with installed springs, tho.

 

[Scrub]

Try it now....

Good call on just buying the complete sub assembly rather than disassembling the spring from strut using the Harbor Freight spring compressor and throwing a towel over it (safety first) while using a ratchet and to slowly squeeze that sucker and not spill your beer as your buddy has his foot on the strut stabilizing it.

It's always challenging and if you like to put pressure on yourself this is one of those things to do.

 

[SkaredShtles]

I believe that most machine shops will swap the springs for a nominal charge, won't they?

 

[Pesqueeb]

Good call on just buying the complete sub assembly

If you're going to do it, do it right.

 

[eaterofdog]

My truck driver neighbor was hit in the face so hard by a semi suspension spring he was removing that he did two back flips before he hit the ground. The doctors said his skull was "eggshelled." He mostly eats pudding and looks out the window now.

 

[stoney]

Safety Third

View attachment 140819

This setup is fucking terrifying. I have a set (key word) that go onto each side. Once one gets snug, you tighten the other to snug, then do 1-turn on each until the tophat is loose and the spring is no longer loading the strut. Put the new strut in and reverse the process.

If you're in a salt location thought, get the whole assembly.

 

[Westy]

My truck driver neighbor was hit in the face so hard by a semi suspension spring he was removing that he did two back flips before he hit the ground. The doctors said his skull was "eggshelled." He mostly eats pudding and looks out the window now.

Your posts are best consumed if you think of them being read aloud by Mark Twain.

 

[StiHacka]

Whatever you do, make sure your gopro is well charged first.

 

[Scrub]

Safety Third

View attachment 140819

I'm sure he "tried" to use the basketball hoop as part of his safety protocol before he found a piece of plate steel

 

[canadmos]

I'm definitely getting struts with springs already installed. I don't want to have to deal with patching a hole in my buddies wall when it all flies apart.

But on that note, do springs wear out? I know they can snap, but do they lose their springyness over time? These ones have a quarter million kilometers on them now, so they must be pooched anyways?

 

[StiHacka]

But on that note, do springs wear out? I know they can snap, but do they lose their springyness over time? These ones have a quarter million kilometers on them now, so they must be pooched anyways?

Only the MTB ones do because they are more expensive.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

I'm definitely getting struts with springs already installed. I don't want to have to deal with patching a hole in my buddies wall when it all flies apart.

But on that note, do springs wear out? I know they can snap, but do they lose their springyness over time? These ones have a quarter million kilometers on them now, so they must be pooched anyways?

Yeah, they can wear out, but I'll leave it to one of our mechanical engineers to discuss...

 

[Westy]

I'm definitely getting struts with springs already installed. I don't want to have to deal with patching a hole in my buddies wall when it all flies apart.

But on that note, do springs wear out? I know they can snap, but do they lose their springyness over time? These ones have a quarter million kilometers on them now, so they must be pooched anyways?

Yes they can sag overtime. Probably more of a function of time than miles and even then probably because really old cars didn't have as good metallurgy.

In summary, they can sag but yours are probably fine.

 

[Adventurous]

I'm definitely getting struts with springs already installed. I don't want to have to deal with patching a hole in my buddies wall when it all flies apart.

But on that note, do springs wear out? I know they can snap, but do they lose their springyness over time? These ones have a quarter million kilometers on them now, so they must be pooched anyways?

In theory, a spring can have an indefinite life if it was properly spec'd for the application, with no flaws or inconsistencies introduced during manufacture.

In reality, the fact that it is subject to constant preload, manufacturing flaws, and environmental corrosion all guarantee that the spring will eventually fail.

 

[6thElement]

In theory, a spring can have an indefinite life if it was properly spec'd for the application, with no flaws or inconsistencies introduced during manufacture.

In reality, the fact that it is subject to constant preload, manufacturing flaws, and environmental corrosion all guarantee that the spring will eventually fail.

So you're saying he should save a few northern freedum tokens and swap springs?