🔧 Front Strut Assembly - Replacement

The front struts on your Explorer support the vehicle, control bounce, and keep the tires planted on the road. Replacing them restores ride control and helps fix clunks, excessive bouncing, or uneven tire wear. Because the front suspension geometry changes when struts are removed, a wheel alignment is required afterward.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle with jack stands before removing any suspension parts.
• Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• The front suspension is under load; keep hands clear when loosening strut fasteners.
• If your Explorer has electronic steering or ABS wiring clipped to the strut, disconnect clips carefully.
• A wheel alignment is required after this repair.
• Battery disconnect is not 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
• 19mm lug socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Combination wrench set
• Trim clip removal tool
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Left: 1
• Front strut assembly - Right: 1
• Front strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6
• Stabilizer link nuts - Qty: 2
• Alignment service - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Break the front lug nuts loose before lifting the vehicle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway bar link nut if rusty.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheel

• Use the 19mm lug socket and breaker bar to loosen the lug nuts.
• Raise the front of your Explorer with the floor jack and support it with jack stands.
• Remove the wheel and set it aside.

Step 2: Disconnect attached brackets and links

• Use the trim clip removal tool to free any brake hose or ABS wire clips from the strut body.
• Use the 21mm socket and combination wrench to remove the stabilizer link nut from the strut if it is attached there.
• Keep the hose and wire from twisting.

Step 3: Separate the strut from the steering knuckle

• Use the 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts.
• Support the knuckle so it does not hang on the axle or brake hose.
• Once the bolts are out, push the knuckle slightly away from the strut.

Step 4: Remove the top strut mount nuts

• Open the hood and locate the top of the strut tower.
• Use the 13mm socket to remove the upper strut mount nuts.
• Hold the strut assembly with one hand while removing the last nut.
• Remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.

Step 5: Install the new strut assembly

• Position the new strut into the strut tower.
• Install the upper mount nuts by hand first with the 13mm socket.
• Line up the lower strut holes with the steering knuckle.
• Install the lower bolts with the 18mm socket.
• Torque the upper strut mount nuts to 55 Nm (41 ft-lbs).
• Torque the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Reconnect all brackets and reinstall the wheel

• Reinstall the ABS wire and brake hose clips with the trim clip removal tool.
• Reconnect the stabilizer link using the 21mm socket and combination wrench.
• Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts with the 19mm lug socket.
• Torque the lug nuts to 135 Nm (100 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Repeat on the other side

• Replace struts in pairs to keep ride height and handling balanced.
• Use the same steps on the opposite side.

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✅ After Repair

• Lower the vehicle and pump the brake pedal before moving it.
• Check that the brake hose and ABS wire are not twisted or stretched.
• Drive slowly at first and listen for clunks or rubbing.
• Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,200 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $250-$500 (parts only)

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

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 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.