🔧 Front Strut Assembly - Replacement

This guide covers replacing the front strut assemblies on your Sentra. The strut supports the front suspension and steering, so replacement should be followed by a wheel alignment.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the car securely with jack stands before removing any suspension parts.
• The coil spring is under heavy load. Do not remove the top strut nut without a spring compressor on the strut assembly.
• Do not let the brake hose or wheel speed sensor wire hang by themselves.
• Have the front-end alignment checked after the repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 10mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Socket extension
• Penetrating oil
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Bungee cord

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount hardware - Qty: 2
• Front stabilizer link nuts - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the car.
• Replace struts in pairs to keep handling even.
• If your replacement strut is a bare unit, transfer the spring only with a spring compressor.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack to raise the front of the car.
• Set the car on jack stands and chock the rear wheels.
• Remove both front wheels with a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Free the strut from the knuckle

• Spray the lower strut bolts with penetrating oil.
• Use a 19mm socket and 21mm socket to remove the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts.
• Support the steering knuckle so it does not pull on the axle or brake hose.

Step 3: Disconnect the attached lines and links

• Use a 10mm socket or 14mm socket to remove the brake hose and ABS wire brackets from the strut.
• Use a 17mm socket to remove the stabilizer link nut from the strut if equipped.
• Use a flat-blade screwdriver if a clip needs to be gently released.

Step 4: Remove the top strut nuts

• Open the hood and locate the top strut mount nuts.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the three upper mount nuts.
• Hold the strut from below as you remove the last nut so it does not drop.

Step 5: Remove the strut assembly

• Pull the strut assembly out through the wheel well.
• If the assembly is tight, lower the knuckle slightly and guide it free by hand.

Step 6: Transfer parts if using a bare strut

• Install the strut in a spring compressor and compress the spring evenly.
• Use a ratchet and the correct socket to remove the top shaft nut.
• Transfer the spring, mount, and isolators to the new strut.
• Make sure the spring ends sit in the proper pockets before releasing the compressor.

Step 7: Install the new strut assembly

• Position the strut in the tower and start the top nuts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket to snug the top mount nuts.
• Align the lower strut holes with the knuckle and install the bolts.
• Torque the lower strut-to-knuckle fasteners to 156 Nm (115 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reconnect brackets and links

• Reinstall the brake hose and ABS wire brackets using a 10mm socket.
• Reinstall the stabilizer link nut with a 17mm socket if removed.
• Torque the upper strut mount nuts to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reassemble and lower the car

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts with a 21mm socket.
• Lower the car with the floor jack.
• Torque the lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the steering wheel left and right to check for rubbing or hose binding.
• Road test at low speed first.
• Schedule a front-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Recheck all visible fasteners after the first drive.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $220-$500 (parts only)

You Save: $480-$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?

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