🔧 Highlander - Front Strut Replacement

On your Highlander, the front suspension uses MacPherson strut assemblies (shock + spring + top mount). Replacing worn struts improves ride control, braking stability, and tire wear, but you’ll need to be careful around the coil spring and finish with an alignment.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours (both fronts)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands on the proper lift points; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ If you reuse the coil spring, use a coil spring compressor (a tool that compresses the spring so it can’t release violently).
• ⚠️ Keep hands/face out of the “line of fire” of the spring and top mount.
• ⚠️ After strut replacement, get a 4-wheel alignment—front camber/toe can change.
• Disconnecting the battery 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
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 3/8" (10-80 ft-lbs)
• Torque wrench 1/2" (50-200 ft-lbs)
• Socket set 3/8" drive (10mm-19mm)
• Socket set 1/2" drive (17mm-22mm)
• Wrench set (14mm-22mm)
• 6mm hex key socket
• Pry bar 18"
• Needle-nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly (quick-strut) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• OR Front strut (damper insert) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kit - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front bump stop and dust boot kit - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• New strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 4

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts with a 21mm socket before lifting.
• Spray the strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway bar link nut with penetrating oil.
• If you’re not using a quick-strut, confirm you have a coil spring compressor ready before disassembly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheels

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front and set the vehicle on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the lug nuts using a 21mm socket and remove both front wheels.

Step 2: Unclip brackets from the strut

• Remove the brake hose bracket bolt using a 12mm socket. Torque to 29 Nm (21 ft-lbs) on reassembly.
• Remove the ABS wire bracket bolt using a 10mm socket. Torque to 19 Nm (14 ft-lbs) on reassembly.
• Tip: Don’t stretch the ABS wire.

Step 3: Disconnect the sway bar end link from the strut

• Hold the stud with a 6mm hex key socket and remove the nut with a 17mm wrench.
• Torque to 74 Nm (55 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 4: Mark camber position and remove strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the strut and knuckle (helps keep alignment closer until you get it professionally aligned).
• Support the knuckle/hub so it doesn’t pull on the axle or brake hose.
• Remove the two lower strut bolts/nuts using 19mm socket and a breaker bar 1/2".
• Tap bolts out if needed using a pry bar 18" for alignment.
• Torque to 177 Nm (131 ft-lbs) on reassembly.

Step 5: Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle

• Open the hood. Remove the three upper strut mount nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Torque to 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs) on reassembly.
• Lift the strut assembly out of the wheel well.

Step 6A: If installing “quick-struts” (recommended)

• Skip spring transfer. Position the new strut assembly into the strut tower and hand-thread the three top nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Line up the knuckle and install the two lower bolts/nuts using 19mm socket and a breaker bar 1/2".

Step 6B: If reusing the coil spring (spring transfer)

• Install the coil spring compressor (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and compress evenly until the spring is loose at the top mount.
• Remove the strut shaft nut using a 17mm socket while holding the shaft with a 6mm hex key socket.
• Move the spring, dust boot/bump stop, and mount/bearing onto the new strut in the same orientation.
• Install the shaft nut and tighten with a torque wrench 3/8". Torque to 71 Nm (52 ft-lbs).
• Slowly release the spring compressor and confirm the spring ends sit correctly in their seats.

Step 7: Reconnect brackets and sway bar link

• Reattach the sway bar end link using a 17mm wrench and hold the stud with a 6mm hex key socket. Torque to 74 Nm (55 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the brake hose bracket bolt using a 12mm socket. Torque to 29 Nm (21 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the ABS wire bracket bolt using a 10mm socket. Torque to 19 Nm (14 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench 1/2". Torque to 103 Nm (76 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock and confirm nothing rubs or pulls on wires/hoses.
• Road test at low speed first. Listen for clunks over bumps.
• Schedule a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a torque wrench 1/2".

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,700 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $350-$1,050 (parts only)

You Save: $550-$650 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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