🔧 Impala - Strut Replacement

On your Impala, “struts” can mean the front struts, the rear struts, or all four. The steps and torque specs differ front vs rear, and they also change depending on whether you’re installing a complete quick-strut assembly (preloaded spring) or transferring your old spring onto a new strut.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours (pair) / 6-10 hours (all four)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a jack.
• ⚠️ If you are reusing the coil spring, a spring compressor is required. This tool compresses the spring so it can’t release explosively.
• ⚠️ Keep hands/face out of the spring’s path at all times.
• ⚠️ Don’t let the steering knuckle hang by the brake hose or ABS wire.
• ⚠️ After strut work, you will need a 4-wheel alignment to prevent tire wear and pulling.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not normally required for this job.

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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
• Metric socket set 10mm-24mm
• Metric wrench set 10mm-24mm
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive (20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Hammer 24 oz
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• 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
• Rear strut assemblies (quick-strut) or rear struts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mounts/bearings (if not included) - Qty: 2
• Rear upper strut mounts (if not included) - Qty: 2
• Sway bar end links (recommended if worn) - Qty: 2 (front) or Qty: 2 (rear)
• New strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts (recommended) - Qty: 4 (front pair) / Qty: 4 (rear pair)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks at the opposite end you’re lifting.
• Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway bar link nuts 10–20 minutes before disassembly.
• If using a spring compressor: inspect the tool for damage and make sure both sides “bite” the spring evenly.
• Plan an alignment appointment for after the repair.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Before I give the exact step-by-step with correct torque specs, answer these 2 quick questions:

• Which are you replacing: front, rear, or all four?
• Are you installing complete quick-strut assemblies (spring already installed), or reusing your original springs?

Reply with “front quick-struts” / “rear reuse springs” etc.

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✅ After Repair

• Double-check every fastener is tightened and all brake hose/ABS wire clips are reattached.
• Road test at low speed first. Listen for clunks over bumps and verify straight-line braking.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25–50 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,800 (parts + labor, front/rear varies)

DIY Cost: $300-$900 (parts only, depends on quick-struts vs struts)

You Save: $600-$900 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?

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.