🔧 Tacoma - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This repair replaces the front strut assemblies on your Tacoma. The strut assembly supports the front of the truck, controls bouncing, and helps keep the tire firmly on the road.

For a beginner, the safest method is to install complete loaded strut assemblies, also called quick struts, instead of compressing the old coil springs.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Coil springs store a lot of energy. Do not remove the center nut on the strut shaft unless the spring is safely compressed with the correct tool.
• ⚠️ Use complete loaded strut assemblies if possible. This avoids using a spring compressor, which can be dangerous for first-time DIYers.
• ⚠️ Always support your Tacoma with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held up only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Replace front struts in pairs so both sides handle and brake evenly.
• ⚠️ After replacement, your Tacoma needs a professional front wheel alignment.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 6-inch socket extension 3/8-inch drive
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Dead blow hammer
• Needle nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front loaded strut assembly - Left: 1, Right: 1
• Front strut upper mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Front lower strut mounting hardware - Qty: 2 sets

Note: Replace front struts in pairs. If reusing original Toyota hardware, inspect each nut and bolt for rust, stretching, or damaged threads before reinstalling.

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tacoma on level, solid ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the truck.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts and upper strut nuts before starting.
• A loaded strut assembly means the spring, strut, mount, and upper plate are already assembled as one safe unit.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to the correct tightness so parts are secure without being over-tightened.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each front lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Truck

• Place the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) under the front center frame crossmember.
• Lift your Tacoma high enough for both front wheels to come off the ground.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the frame rails.
• Lower the truck gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the crossmember as a backup.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Support the Lower Control Arm

• Place the floor jack under the lower control arm on the side you are working on.
• Raise the jack just until it supports the arm. Do not lift the truck off the jack stand.
• The lower control arm is the large suspension arm under the strut that holds the wheel hub area in position.

Step 5: Mark the Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the position of the lower strut mount and bolt direction.
• This helps you install the new strut in the same orientation.

Step 6: Remove Any Brake Hose or ABS Wire Brackets Attached to the Strut

• Inspect the side of the strut for brake hose or ABS wire brackets.
• If attached, use a 12mm socket or 14mm socket with a ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the bracket bolt.
• Move the hose or wire gently aside. Do not stretch it.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Strut Mounting Bolt

• Use a 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the lower strut bolt and nut.
• Remove the nut first, then slide the bolt out.
• If the bolt is stuck, use penetrating oil and tap it gently with a dead blow hammer.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch only for gentle pressure if the strut eye is tight in the mount.

Step 8: Remove the Upper Strut Mounting Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Locate the three upper strut mounting nuts on top of the strut tower.
• Use a 14mm socket, 6-inch socket extension 3/8-inch drive, and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the three upper nuts.
• Do not remove the center strut shaft nut.
• Hold the strut from below as the last upper nut comes off.

Step 9: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Lower the floor jack under the control arm slightly to create room.
• Guide the old strut assembly down and out through the wheel well by hand.
• Use the pry bar 18-inch gently if extra clearance is needed.
• Do not pull on brake hoses.

Step 10: Position the New Loaded Strut Assembly

• Compare the new loaded strut assembly to the old one before installation.
• Make sure the upper mounting studs and lower mount face the same way.
• Guide the new strut up into the strut tower by hand.
• Install the three upper mounting nuts finger-tight only.

Step 11: Install the Lower Strut Bolt

• Use the floor jack under the lower control arm to raise or lower the arm until the bolt holes line up.
• Slide the lower strut bolt through by hand.
• Install the nut finger-tight.
• Use the 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lower bolt.

Step 12: Torque the Upper Strut Mounting Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket, 6-inch socket extension 3/8-inch drive, and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive if available.
• Tighten the three upper strut mounting nuts evenly.
• Torque to 47 Nm (35 ft-lbs)

Step 13: Torque the Lower Strut Mounting Bolt

• Raise the lower control arm with the floor jack until the suspension is close to normal ride height.
• Use the 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lower bolt.
• Torque to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs)

Step 14: Reinstall Brake Hose or ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket or 14mm socket with a ratchet 3/8-inch drive to reinstall any removed bracket bolts.
• Make sure the brake hose and ABS wire are not twisted or stretched.
• If using the 12mm bracket bolt, torque to 19 Nm (14 ft-lbs).
• If using the 14mm bracket bolt, tighten snugly unless your replacement hardware gives a specific torque.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the opposite front strut assembly.
• Work one side at a time so you can compare the other side if needed.

Step 16: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Install both front wheels by hand.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower the Truck and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise your Tacoma slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the truck fully to the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs)

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of your Tacoma gently by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Listen for rubbing, clunks, or stretched hose movement.
• ✅ Take a slow test drive on a smooth road first.
• ✅ Avoid hard braking or rough roads until you confirm everything feels stable.
• ✅ Schedule a professional front wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,050 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$550 (parts only)

You Save: $300-$500 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4 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.