Front struts can be relatively strait forward and easy or take the entire day depending on your luck and skill. If you want to do the job the easy way I would recommend purchasing the complete strut and spring assemble, service manual, torque wrench and use an impact wrench. If you do not have access to a compressor and impact wrench you may need a breaker bar. If you do not have one it will be a welcome addition to your tool box if you do your own work on your cars. If you did not purchase the complete strut and spring assembly you will need a spring compressor.
To get started open the hood and look directly above the strut where it attaches to the fender well. If you do not see the four nuts to remove the top of the strut you need to remove the protective dust cover to gain access to them. Turn the steering wheel to enable easier access to the nuts and bolts at the bottom of the strut. Jack up the front and place jack stands under the frame if available. Remove the front wheel and use blocks or a jack stand to support the wheel assembly so it will not drop when the strut is removed. Remove the four top nuts of the strut located under the hood. Remove the lower nuts from the strut by using the impact wrench or breaker bar. Once all bolts have been removed, make sure you can remove the strut assembly without tangling with the brake lines, or you may have to remove the brake calipers. Remove the blocks under the wheel assembly while and slowly lower it to free the strut being careful not to damage the brake lines. If you do not have the complete strut assembly you will need to compress the spring and remove the strut nuts with an impact wrench. Remove the old strut if you did not purchase the complete assembly and reassemble the strut unit the same way. When reassembling, be sure to torque all nuts and bolts to their proper specifications. Do not use impact tools when reassembling. Replace the strut and place the lower bolts and nuts in first. Raise the wheel assembly until the four threaded rods are visible on the other side of fender well and use blocks to support the wheel assembly. Tighten the nuts on the top of the strut and torque all the nuts. Remove the wheel assembly blocks and replace the wheel. Lower the jack after removing the jack stands. Torque the wheel lug nuts and replace the dust cover on the top of the strut. You should be good to test drive.
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