🔧 Front Struts - Replacement

Replacing both front struts restores ride quality, steering control, and braking stability when the original struts are worn, leaking, or noisy. On your Equinox, the strut is part of the front suspension and must be removed from the knuckle and upper strut tower on each side.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-6 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Use a spring compressor only if you are transferring the coil spring to a new strut. A compressed spring stores a lot of force and can cause serious injury.
• Support the vehicle securely with jack stands before removing either front wheel.
• Do not let the brake hose or ABS wire hang by themselves while the knuckle is moved out of the way.
• If your Equinox has electronic stability control or steering angle systems, a wheel alignment is required after strut replacement.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• 21mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 15mm socket
• 13mm socket
• 10mm socket
• Ratchet
• Extension bar
• Socket wrench
• Open-end wrench set
• Ball joint separator (specialty)
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Trim removal tool
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front left strut assembly - Qty: 1
• Front right strut assembly - Qty: 1
• Front strut mount and bearing - Qty: 2
• Front strut dust boot and bump stop - Qty: 2
• Front stabilizer link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• Wheel alignment - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Raise the front and support it securely with jack stands.
• If you are replacing complete loaded strut assemblies, no spring compressor is needed.
• If you are reusing the coil spring, compress it only with a proper spring compressor before removing the top mount.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the front wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts.
• Lift the vehicle with a floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Remove both front wheels.
• Keep the wheels under the vehicle as extra backup.

Step 2: Disconnect the stabilizer link from the strut

• Use an 18mm socket and open-end wrench set to remove the sway bar link nut from each strut.
• If the stud spins, hold it with the correct wrench while removing the nut.

Step 3: Remove the brake hose and ABS wire brackets

• Use a 10mm socket to remove the small bracket bolts from the strut.
• Move the brake hose and ABS wire aside without stretching them.

Step 4: Separate the strut from the steering knuckle

• Use penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts if they are rusty.
• Use an 18mm socket, ratchet, and breaker bar to remove the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts.
• Use a ball joint separator (specialty) only if the knuckle needs more movement for clearance.
• Support the knuckle so the axle and brake hose are not stressed.
• Torque on reinstall: 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs) for the strut-to-knuckle fasteners.

Step 5: Remove the upper strut mounting nuts

• Open the hood and locate the three upper strut mount nuts on each side.
• Use a 13mm socket and ratchet to remove the upper nuts.
• Hold the strut from below while removing the last nut so it does not drop.
• Torque on reinstall: 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) for the upper mount nuts.

Step 6: Remove the old strut assembly

• Lower the strut out of the wheel well.
• If reusing the spring, use a spring compressor (specialty) to safely transfer the spring and mount to the new strut.
• Mark spring and mount positions first.

Step 7: Assemble the new strut

• If using a loaded strut assembly, skip spring transfer and go to installation.
• If reusing the coil spring, install the spring, dust boot, bump stop, and upper mount onto the new strut.
• Use the spring compressor (specialty) only until the top mount can be installed safely.
• Make sure the spring ends are seated in the proper pockets.

Step 8: Install the new strut into the vehicle

• Position the new strut in the strut tower.
• Install the upper mount nuts by hand first using a 13mm socket.
• Line up the lower strut holes with the steering knuckle.
• Install the lower strut bolts and nuts using an 18mm socket.
• Torque the upper nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).
• Torque the lower strut-to-knuckle fasteners to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reinstall the stabilizer link and brackets

• Use an 18mm socket to reinstall the stabilizer link nut.
• Use a 10mm socket to reinstall the brake hose and ABS wire brackets.
• Torque the stabilizer link nut to 75 Nm (55 ft-lbs).
• Torque the bracket bolts to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).

Step 10: Reinstall the wheels and lower the vehicle

• Install the wheels and snug the lug nuts by hand.
• Lower the vehicle carefully.
• Use a 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a crisscross pattern.
• Torque the lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Repeat on the other side

• Perform the same steps for the other front strut.
• Replace both sides together so ride height and handling stay even.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the vehicle and turn the steering wheel lock to lock to check for rubbing or binding.
• Drive slowly at first and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check that the brake hose and ABS wire are clipped back properly.
• Get a four-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• If you used a spring compressor, recheck that all spring seats and mount nuts are secure before driving.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,600 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $550-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 4-6 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.