🔧 Tucson - Strut Replacement

On your Tucson, “struts” can mean the front MacPherson strut assemblies and/or the rear shock/strut units. The exact steps and (most importantly) the factory torque specs change depending on which end you’re doing and whether you’re transferring the coil spring.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours (pair)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never remove the center nut on top of a strut with the spring installed unless the spring is compressed; the spring stores a lot of energy.
• ⚠️ Support your Tucson on jack stands on a level surface; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ If your front knuckle has ABS wiring/brake hose brackets attached, unbolt brackets first so you don’t stretch or tear wiring/hoses.
• ⚠️ After strut work, you will need a 4-wheel alignment (front struts especially).

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Socket set (10mm-22mm)
• Wrench set (10mm-22mm)
• Pry bar (18")
• Hammer (2 lb)
• Punch set
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock/strut - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kit - If reusing springs - Qty: 2
• Front strut bump stop & dust boot kit - If reusing springs - Qty: 2
• Replacement strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts - If corroded/damaged - Qty: 1 set
• Replacement sway bar end link nuts - If corroded/damaged - Qty: 1 set

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the wheels.
• Spray penetrating oil on the large suspension bolts (especially strut-to-knuckle) 10–20 minutes before disassembly.
• Please answer these 2 quick questions so I can give you the exact factory torque specs and correct steps:
  • Are you replacing the front struts, the rear shocks/struts, or both?
  • Are you installing complete quick-strut assemblies (pre-assembled) or bare struts (reusing your coil springs)?

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise and support your Tucson

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the proper jack point, then set the vehicle on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheel using a socket set (10mm-22mm) and 1/2" drive breaker bar.

Step 2: Identify what you’re replacing and inspect for attached brackets

• Look for any ABS wire/brake hose brackets attached to the strut; you’ll remove these with a socket set (10mm-22mm).
• Use a paint marker to mark the strut-to-knuckle position if you see any camber adjustment markings. Helps alignment stay close.

Step 3: Stop here until you confirm front/rear and quick-strut vs bare strut

• The remaining steps require the correct OEM torque specs for your Tucson and the correct sequence (front and rear differ; quick-strut vs spring-transfer differs).
• Reply with: Front / Rear / Both and Quick-strut / Reuse springs, and I’ll provide the complete numbered procedure with all torque values and alignment notes.

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✅ After Repair

• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible (especially after front struts).
• Test drive at low speed first; listen for clunks and confirm the steering wheel is centered.
• Re-check for any loose brackets/lines near the strut and verify nothing is rubbing the tire.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$2,000 (parts + labor, front/rear/both varies)

DIY Cost: $250-$1,200 (parts only, quick-struts cost more)

You Save: $400-$1,200 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.