🔧 Altima - Strut Replacement

Replacing struts means removing the suspension “damper” assemblies and installing new ones, then reassembling everything safely. On your Altima, the front struts affect steering/handling, and the rear units affect ride control—either way, you’ll need a wheel alignment afterward.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Strut springs store a lot of energy—improper handling can cause serious injury.
• ⚠️ If you are not using complete pre-assembled struts, you must use a proper spring compressor and follow its instructions exactly.
• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands on the pinch welds/subframe; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Do not let the steering knuckle hang by the brake hose or ABS wiring.
• ⚠️ After front strut replacement, get a professional alignment as soon as possible.
• Battery disconnect is not typically required for this job.

---

🔧 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-inch
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch (20-200 ft-lbs)
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch (10-80 ft-lbs)
• Socket set 3/8-inch metric 10mm-19mm
• Socket set 1/2-inch metric 14mm-22mm
• Deep socket set metric 14mm-19mm
• Wrench set metric 14mm-22mm
• Needle-nose pliers
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Hammer (2 lb)
• Pry bar (18-inch)
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Spring compressor (external hook type) (specialty)
• Strut nut pass-through socket set (specialty)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear shock/strut units - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front upper strut mounts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount bearings - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front bump stops and dust boots - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear upper mounts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Rear bump stops and dust boots - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• New strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• New sway bar end link nuts - Qty: 2

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen lug nuts 1/2 turn with the car on the ground using a 21mm socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch.
• Decide your approach: “complete strut assembly” (pre-built) or “reuse spring.” A complete assembly is much safer and faster for a first-time DIYer.
• Tip: Spray bolts with penetrating oil 15 minutes early.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm what you’re replacing

• Are you replacing front struts, rear units, or all four?
• Are you installing complete quick-strut assemblies or transferring your old spring onto the new strut (requires spring compressor (specialty))?

Step 2: Lift and support the front (for front struts)

• Lift the front with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the front jack point.
• Set the car on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) and confirm it’s stable.
• Remove the front wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 3: Disconnect attachments from the front strut

• Remove the brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut using a 10mm socket.
• Remove the sway bar end link nut from the strut bracket using wrench set metric 14mm-19mm and socket set 3/8-inch metric 10mm-19mm.
• Tip: Hold the end link stud if it spins.

Step 4: Mark the strut-to-knuckle relationship

• Use a paint marker to mark the strut position at the steering knuckle.
• This helps keep alignment closer until you get a real alignment.

Step 5: Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the knuckle with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so it doesn’t drop.
• Remove the two large bolts/nuts using a socket set 1/2-inch metric 14mm-22mm, wrench set metric 14mm-22mm, and breaker bar 1/2-inch.
• If stuck, tap the bolts out with a hammer (2 lb).

Step 6: Remove the front strut top nuts

• Open the hood and locate the strut tower.
• Remove the top mount nuts using a socket set 3/8-inch metric 10mm-19mm.
• Hold the strut with your other hand as you remove the last nut, then lift the strut out.

Step 7: If reusing springs, swap parts to the new strut (skip if quick-strut)

• Install a spring compressor (external hook type) (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and compress evenly.
• Remove the center shaft nut using a strut nut pass-through socket set (specialty) and wrench set metric 14mm-22mm.
• Move the spring, dust boot, bump stop, mount, and bearing onto the new strut in the same order.
• Slowly release the spring compressor once everything is seated correctly.
• Tip: The spring end must sit in its pocket.

Step 8: Install the new front strut

• Position the strut into the strut tower and start the top nuts by hand using a socket set 3/8-inch metric 10mm-19mm.
• Align the strut to the knuckle and insert the two lower bolts using a socket set 1/2-inch metric 14mm-22mm.
• Reconnect sway bar end link using wrench set metric 14mm-19mm.
• Reattach brake hose/ABS brackets using a 10mm socket.
• Tighten fasteners with a torque wrench to manufacturer specification: Torque to Nissan OEM spec (refer to HowToo spec sheet for your exact fasteners).

Step 9: Repeat on the other side

• Replace the other front strut the same way.
• Struts should be replaced in pairs to keep handling even.

Step 10: Rear unit replacement (overview steps)

• Lift the rear with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove rear wheels using a 21mm socket.
• Support the rear suspension arm with the floor jack.
• Remove the lower mounting bolt using a socket set 1/2-inch metric 14mm-22mm.
• Access and remove the upper mount fasteners (may require trunk trim removal) using a trim clip removal tool and socket set 3/8-inch metric 10mm-19mm.
• Install the new rear unit and tighten fasteners with a torque wrench to manufacturer specification: Torque to Nissan OEM spec (refer to HowToo spec sheet for your exact fasteners).

---

✅ After Repair

• Reinstall wheels and snug lug nuts using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the car and torque lug nuts evenly using a torque wrench 1/2-inch: Torque to Nissan OEM spec (refer to HowToo spec sheet).
• Test drive at low speed first. Listen for clunks and verify steering is centered.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible (especially after front struts).
• Re-check for any loose brackets or rubbing ABS/brake lines after the test drive.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$2,000 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$1,100 (parts only)

You Save: $550-$900 by doing it yourself!

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

---

🎯 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.