🔧 Altima - Strut Replacement

Struts are the main suspension dampers. Replacing worn struts restores ride comfort, braking stability, and tire wear control. The steps and tools change depending on whether you’re doing the front or rear, and whether you’re installing complete assemblies or swapping springs onto new struts.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Do not remove the top strut nut with the spring loaded
• ⚠️ If reusing springs, a spring compressor is required; a compressed spring can cause severe injury
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone
• ⚠️ Keep the brake hose and ABS wire from being stretched or twisted
• ⚠️ After strut work, a wheel alignment is required to prevent tire wear

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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
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (1/2")
• Socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Wrench set (8mm-22mm)
• Pry bar
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies (quick-strut) or front struts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mounts and bearings - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front dust boots and bump stops - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front sway bar end links - Optional if worn - Qty: 2
• Strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Recommended if damaged/corroded - Qty: 4

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels
• Loosen the wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn with the car on the ground
• Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway link nuts 10-15 minutes before starting
• If you are not using quick-struts: understand that the spring must be compressed before disassembly (a spring compressor squeezes the coil spring shorter so it can be safely removed)

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm what you’re replacing (needed for correct steps)

• Reply with: Front or Rear
• Also reply with: Quick-strut (complete assembly) or Strut only (reuse spring)
• I’ll tailor tools, steps, and torque specs.

Step 2: Safely lift and remove the wheel (front shown)

• Use floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift at the front jacking point
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the proper support points and lower onto them
• Remove the wheel using your socket set (8mm-22mm)

Step 3: Detach lines and links from the strut

• Remove the brake hose/ABS brackets from the strut using the correct size from your socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Disconnect the sway bar end link from the strut using wrench set (8mm-22mm) and socket set (8mm-22mm)
• If the stud spins, use needle-nose pliers only if there is a provision to hold it

Step 4: Separate the strut from the steering knuckle

• Support the knuckle lightly with the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so it doesn’t drop
• Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts using breaker bar (1/2") and socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Use pry bar and rubber mallet as needed to free the strut

Step 5: Remove the strut from the top mount

• Open the hood and locate the strut tower nuts
• Hold the strut from below, then remove the top mount nuts using socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Lower and remove the strut assembly from the wheel well

Step 6: If reusing the spring (skip if quick-strut)

• Install the spring compressor (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and tighten evenly
• Remove the center top nut using a pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty)
• Transfer spring, dust boot, bump stop, and mount to the new strut
• Slowly release the spring compressor, ensuring the spring seats in its upper/lower pockets

Step 7: Reinstall the strut

• Position the strut into the tower and start the top nuts by hand using wrench set (8mm-22mm)
• Align the strut to the knuckle and install the lower bolts using socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Reconnect sway link and all brackets using socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Torque specs vary by axle and hardware; I’ll provide exact Altima specs once you answer Step 1.

Step 8: Reinstall wheel and lower the car

• Install wheel and snug lug nuts using socket set (8mm-22mm)
• Lower the car and torque lug nuts using torque wrench (1/2")

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✅ After Repair

• Drive slowly at first and listen for clunks or rubbing
• Recheck that brake hose and ABS wiring are clipped back correctly
• Get a professional wheel alignment as soon as possible
• If the steering wheel is off-center after repair, do not ignore it; alignment is needed

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,600 (parts + labor, per axle)

DIY Cost: $250-$900 (parts only, per axle)

You Save: $450-$700+ by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

Answer these two quick questions so I can give you the exact Altima torque specs and the correct front vs rear procedure: Front or Rear? and Quick-strut or strut-only? 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.