🔧 Tucson - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This repair replaces the front strut assemblies on your Tucson. The strut supports the vehicle’s weight, controls bouncing, and helps keep the tire planted on the road.

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

Assumption: This guide covers complete front loaded strut assemblies, not spring-only strut disassembly.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Use jack stands every time. Never work under or around a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Replace struts in pairs. If one front strut is replaced, replace the other front strut too.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the center nut on the strut shaft unless the coil spring is safely compressed with a proper spring compressor. A loaded spring can cause serious injury.
• ⚠️ After strut replacement, your Tucson needs a wheel alignment to prevent tire wear and poor handling.
• ⚠️ Keep brake hoses and ABS wheel speed sensor wiring supported. Do not let the steering knuckle hang by the hose or wire.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 12mm wrench
• 14mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 21mm wrench
• 6mm hex key socket
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Ball peen hammer 16-ounce
• Paint marker
• Needle nose pliers
• Penetrating oil spray
• Bungee cord 24-inch
• Wire brush
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assemblies - Qty: 2
• Front sway bar end links - Qty: 2
• Strut-to-knuckle mounting bolts and nuts - Qty: 4 bolts, 4 nuts
• Upper strut mount nuts - Qty: 6

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Tucson on flat, solid ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly while the tires are still on the ground.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts, sway bar end link nut, brake hose bracket bolt, and ABS wire bracket bolt.
• A loaded strut assembly means the coil spring is already installed on the strut. This is safer for a beginner because you do not have to compress the spring.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loose first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your Tucson at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the proper front side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Give the vehicle a small shake to confirm it is stable before removing the wheels.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

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

Step 4: Mark the Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to mark where the strut meets the steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the heavy metal part that holds the wheel hub and turns with the steering.
• This mark helps you get close enough to drive safely to an alignment shop.

Step 5: Remove the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket or 12mm wrench to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut.
• Use a 10mm or 12mm socket if equipped to remove the ABS wheel speed sensor wire bracket from the strut.
• If a push clip is used, remove it carefully with needle nose pliers.
• Move the hose and wire aside without pulling on them.

Step 6: Disconnect the Sway Bar End Link from the Strut

• The sway bar end link connects the strut to the sway bar, which helps reduce body roll in turns.
• Use a 17mm wrench on the end link nut.
• If the ball stud spins, hold the center with a 6mm hex key socket while loosening the nut with the 17mm wrench.
• Remove the end link from the strut bracket.
• If the end link is rusty or damaged, replace it with the new one.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Use a bungee cord 24-inch to support the steering knuckle from the suspension or body.
• This prevents strain on the brake hose and axle shaft.
• Do not let the knuckle fall outward after the strut bolts are removed.

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

• Use a 19mm socket or 21mm socket with a 1/2-inch drive breaker bar on the lower strut bolts.
• Use a matching 19mm wrench or 21mm wrench to hold the nut while loosening the bolt.
• Remove both lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts.
• If the bolts are tight, use penetrating oil spray, a wire brush, and a ball peen hammer 16-ounce to gently tap them out.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch only as needed to separate the strut from the knuckle.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Locate the three upper strut mount nuts on the strut tower.
• Hold the strut with one hand from below so it does not drop.
• Use a 14mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Do not remove the center shaft nut.

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Guide the old strut assembly down and out through the wheel well by hand.
• Use mechanic gloves because the edges and spring can be dirty or sharp.
• Compare the old and new struts side by side before installing.
• Check that the spring seat, brake hose bracket, sway bar bracket, and upper mount orientation match.

Step 11: Install the New Strut Assembly

• Raise the new strut assembly into the strut tower by hand.
• Start the three new upper strut mount nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench (10-200 Nm range) to tighten the upper mount nuts to Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reconnect the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Line up the lower strut holes with the steering knuckle.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch if needed to gently align the holes.
• Install the new strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts by hand first.
• Use a 19mm socket or 21mm socket with a matching 19mm wrench or 21mm wrench to snug the bolts.
• Use a torque wrench (10-200 Nm range) to tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle nuts to Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reconnect the Sway Bar End Link

• Insert the sway bar end link stud into the strut bracket.
• Use a 17mm wrench to tighten the end link nut.
• If the stud spins, hold it with a 6mm hex key socket.
• Use a torque wrench (10-200 Nm range) to tighten the sway bar end link nut to Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Reinstall the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Position the brake hose bracket onto the strut.
• Use a 12mm socket and torque wrench (10-200 Nm range) to tighten the brake hose bracket bolt to Torque to 9 Nm (80 in-lbs).
• Reattach the ABS wire bracket or clip using a 12mm socket or needle nose pliers, depending on the fastener style.
• Make sure the hose and wire do not rub the tire or strut spring.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 14 on the other front strut.
• Use the same tools and torque specifications.
• Do one side at a time.

Step 16: Reinstall the Front Wheels

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

Step 17: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise your Tucson slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench (10-200 Nm range) to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 88-107 Nm (65-79 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each front corner of your Tucson. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and check that brake hoses and ABS wires do not stretch or rub.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for clunks, scraping, or pulling.
• ✅ Schedule a professional front wheel alignment immediately after the repair.
• ✅ Recheck the lug nut torque after 25-50 miles of driving.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $700-$1,100 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $450-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4.0 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.