🔧 Tucson - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This repair replaces the front strut assemblies on your Tucson. The struts support vehicle weight, control bouncing, and help keep the front tires planted during braking and turns.

For a beginner, the safest method is installing complete loaded strut assemblies. A loaded strut is a complete unit with the spring and upper mount already installed, so you do not need to compress the spring.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Replace front struts in pairs so your Tucson handles and brakes evenly.
• ⚠️ Never remove the center nut on the strut shaft unless the coil spring is compressed with proper professional equipment.
• ⚠️ A coil spring stores extreme force and can cause severe injury if released incorrectly.
• ⚠️ Always use jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Do not let the steering knuckle hang by the brake hose or ABS sensor wire.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is required after replacing front struts.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 21mm wrench
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Hammer 16-ounce
• Paint marker
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Mechanic gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front loaded strut assembly - Left: 1, Right: 1
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• Front stabilizer link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front upper strut mount nuts - Qty: 6

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Tucson on level, solid ground.
• 🚗 Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🚗 Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts and stabilizer link nuts 10-15 minutes before removal.
• 🚗 Take photos of the brake hose bracket, ABS wire bracket, and lower strut position before removing parts.
• 🚗 The stabilizer link connects the sway bar to the strut and helps reduce body roll in turns.
• 🚗 The steering knuckle is the large metal part that carries the wheel hub and connects to the strut.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each front lug nut about half a turn.
• Do this while the tires are still on the ground so the wheels do not spin.
• Loosen first, lift second.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the front of your Tucson from the front subframe jacking area.
• Place jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the approved front support points.
• Lower the vehicle slowly onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum lightly touching the subframe as backup support.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the front lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels.
• Place the wheels flat under the sides of the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Mark the Lower Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to trace where the strut bracket meets the steering knuckle.
• This helps keep the alignment close enough for a short, careful drive to an alignment shop.
• This mark does not replace a proper wheel alignment.

Step 5: Remove the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket with a ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the bracket bolts from the strut body.
• Move the brake hose and ABS sensor wire aside gently.
• The ABS sensor wire is the thin electrical wire going toward the wheel hub.
• Do not pull, twist, or stretch the brake hose or ABS wire.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Link

• Use a 17mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the stabilizer link nut from the strut bracket.
• If the stud spins, hold it with a 17mm wrench while turning the nut with the 17mm socket.
• Move the stabilizer link away from the strut.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum under the lower control arm or hub area to lightly support the steering knuckle.
• Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This prevents the axle, brake hose, and ABS wire from being pulled downward.

Step 8: Remove the Lower Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts

• Use a 19mm wrench on one side and a 21mm socket with a breaker bar 1/2-inch drive on the other side to loosen the two lower strut bolts.
• Remove the nuts and bolts using the 21mm socket, 19mm wrench, and ratchet 1/2-inch drive.
• If a bolt is stuck, spray penetrating oil and tap the bolt end lightly with a hammer 16-ounce.
• Keep one hand on the steering knuckle so it does not swing outward.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Find the three upper strut mount nuts on top of the strut tower.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the three upper nuts.
• Hold the strut assembly with your other hand while removing the last nut.
• Do not remove the center nut on the strut shaft.

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Guide the old strut assembly out through the wheel opening using both hands.
• If it sticks at the steering knuckle, use a pry bar 18-inch gently between the strut bracket and knuckle.
• Do not pry against the CV axle boot, brake hose, or ABS wire.

Step 11: Install the New Loaded Strut Assembly

• Guide the new loaded strut assembly into the strut tower.
• Start the three upper mount nuts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the upper strut mount nuts to Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• Hand-start every nut first.

Step 12: Reconnect the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Line up the lower strut bracket with the steering knuckle using your paint marks.
• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to gently raise or lower the knuckle until the bolt holes line up.
• Install the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket, 19mm wrench, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle nuts to Torque to 160 Nm (118 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reconnect the Stabilizer Link

• Place the stabilizer link stud back into the strut bracket.
• Install a new stabilizer link nut by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket, 17mm wrench, and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the stabilizer link nut to Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Reinstall the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Place the brake hose bracket and ABS wire bracket back onto the strut.
• Use a 10mm socket or 12mm socket with a torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the bracket bolts to Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).
• Make sure the hose and wire are routed the same way as before.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the other front strut assembly.
• Make sure the left and right struts are installed on the correct sides if marked.

Step 16: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Install the front wheels and start all lug nuts by hand.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the vehicle slightly.
• Remove the jack stands rated 2-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle to the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 88-107 Nm (65-79 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of your Tucson by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Check that nothing pulls tight or rubs.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks, rattles, or scraping noises.
• ✅ Get a professional wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• ✅ Recheck the front lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $750-$1,200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $400-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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