🔧 Tucson - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

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

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

Assumption: This guide covers complete front strut assemblies, not disassembling the coil spring from the strut.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Struts are suspension parts that carry vehicle weight. Support your Tucson securely with jack stands before working underneath or near the wheel well.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the center strut shaft nut unless the coil spring is safely compressed with the correct spring compressor. A compressed spring can cause severe injury.
• ⚠️ Replace struts in pairs on the same axle. If the left front strut is replaced, replace the right front strut too.
• ⚠️ Avoid pulling or stretching the brake hose and ABS wheel speed sensor wire.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is required after replacing front struts.
• ⚠️ 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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 10mm socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat blade screwdriver
• Needle nose pliers
• Paint marker
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete 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 ground and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Use complete strut assemblies if you are a beginner. A complete assembly includes the strut, coil spring, mount, and bearing already assembled.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts and stabilizer link nuts 10-15 minutes before removal.
• A trim clip removal tool is a small fork-shaped tool used to lift plastic clips without breaking them.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to an exact tightness. This helps prevent loose bolts or damaged threads.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not fully remove the lug nuts while the tires are still on the ground.
• Tip: Loosen before lifting.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Vehicle

• Use the 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.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the lift point as a backup.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and place them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Mark the Strut-to-Knuckle Position

• Use a paint marker to mark around the lower strut where it meets the steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the metal part that the wheel hub and brake rotor attach to.
• This mark helps keep the alignment close enough to drive carefully to an alignment shop.

Step 5: Disconnect the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut.
• Use the trim clip removal tool or flat blade screwdriver to gently release the ABS wire clip from the strut bracket.
• Move the hose and wire aside without stretching them.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Link from the Strut

• The stabilizer link is a short rod that connects the sway bar to the strut to reduce body roll in turns.
• Use a 17mm wrench to hold the stabilizer link stud if it spins.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the nut from the strut bracket.
• Push the stabilizer link out of the strut bracket.
• If the nut is rusty, apply more penetrating oil and wait a few minutes.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Place the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum under the lower control arm or under the outer knuckle area with light pressure only.
• This keeps the knuckle from dropping when the strut bolts are removed.
• Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stands.

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

• Use a 19mm wrench on the bolt head and a 19mm socket with 1/2-inch drive breaker bar on the nut.
• Remove both lower strut-to-knuckle nuts.
• Tap the bolts out using a rubber mallet if needed.
• Keep one hand on the strut so it does not swing outward.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

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

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Carefully lower the strut out through the wheel opening by hand.
• Use the rubber mallet only for light tapping if the lower bracket is stuck.
• Compare the old strut to the new complete strut assembly before installation.

Step 11: Install the New Strut Assembly

• Guide the new strut assembly up into the strut tower by hand.
• Install the three new upper strut mount nuts by hand first.
• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the upper nuts.
• Do not fully tighten them yet.

Step 12: Reconnect the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Align the lower strut bracket with the steering knuckle using your paint marks as a guide.
• Insert the new lower strut-to-knuckle bolts by hand.
• Install the new nuts by hand.
• Use a 19mm wrench and 19mm socket with 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle nuts to Torque to 140 Nm (103 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Tighten the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Use the 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• Do not tighten or loosen the center strut shaft nut.

Step 14: Reconnect the Stabilizer Link

• Insert the stabilizer link stud through the strut bracket.
• Install the new stabilizer link nut by hand.
• Use a 17mm wrench to hold the stud if it spins.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the nut to Torque to 100 Nm (74 ft-lbs).

Step 15: Reattach the Brake Hose and ABS Wire

• Place the brake hose bracket back onto the strut.
• Use the 10mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to install the bracket bolt.
• Tighten the brake hose bracket bolt snugly to Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).
• Press the ABS wire clip back into the strut bracket by hand.
• Make sure the brake hose is not twisted.

Step 16: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 15 on the opposite front strut.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Tip: Replace struts in pairs.

Step 17: Reinstall the Front Wheels

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

Step 18: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the vehicle slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower your Tucson to the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each front corner gently. The vehicle should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Listen for rubbing, popping, or clunking.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Check braking, steering feel, and noises.
• ✅ Get a professional front wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• ✅ Recheck the front lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• ✅ If the steering wheel is off-center or the vehicle pulls, avoid highway driving until alignment is done.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $750-$1,250 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $250-$550 (parts only, alignment not included)

You Save: $400-$700 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?

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