🔧 Traverse - Front Strut Replacement

On your Traverse, the front suspension uses a MacPherson strut (the shock and spring are one assembly). Replacing worn struts restores ride comfort, braking stability, and steering control, and it also helps prevent uneven tire wear.

Assumption: You mean the front struts; the rear of your Traverse typically uses shocks + separate springs (not struts).

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never loosen the center nut on top of the strut without the spring secured.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Coil springs store huge energy; if you’re not experienced, use complete strut assemblies to avoid spring transfer.
• ⚠️ Support the steering knuckle so the axle/CV joints aren’t over-extended.
• ⚠️ Keep the ABS wire and brake hose from being stretched or twisted.

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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 (1/2")
• Torque wrench (3/8")
• Socket set (8mm–24mm)
• Wrench set (8mm–24mm)
• Ratchet (3/8")
• Ratchet (1/2")
• Torx bit set
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Punch set
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Bungee cord
• Spring compressor (external) (specialty)
• Strut nut pass-through socket set (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies (quick struts) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount/bearing kit - If not included with quick struts - Qty: 2
• Front strut dust boot and bump stop kit - If not included - Qty: 2
• Front stabilizer (sway bar) end links - Optional if worn - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle nuts/bolts - Recommended if specified as one-time-use - Qty: 4

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering wheel straight, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly using a breaker bar and correct lug socket before lifting.
• Spray penetrating oil on the strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway bar end link nuts.
• Tip: Replace both front struts together.

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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 (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the proper jack point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the proper support points.
• Remove the wheels using a lug socket and ratchet (1/2").

Step 2: Unclip and unbolt the brake hose/ABS wire from the strut

• Locate the brackets on the strut that hold the brake hose and ABS wire.
• Remove bracket bolts using the correct socket and ratchet (3/8").
• Carefully free the lines and keep them slack; use a bungee cord if needed.

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

• Remove the end link nut at the strut using the correct socket and wrench.
• If the stud spins, use the appropriate Torx bit to hold the stud while loosening the nut.
• Tip: End links often seize—go slow.

Step 4: Mark the strut-to-knuckle relationship

• Use a paint marker to mark the position of the strut against the steering knuckle.
• This helps keep alignment close enough to drive to an alignment shop.

Step 5: Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the steering knuckle with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) so it can’t drop.
• Remove the two large bolts/nuts that clamp the strut to the knuckle using a breaker bar (1/2") and correct socket set.
• Tap the bolts out using a hammer and punch set as needed.
• Torque to factory specification (refer to GM service information).

Step 6: Remove the upper strut mount nuts

• Open the hood and locate the strut tower top mount.
• Remove the mount nuts using a socket and ratchet (3/8").
• Leave one nut loosely threaded until you’re ready to catch the strut.
• Torque to factory specification (refer to GM service information).

Step 7: Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle

• Hold the strut, remove the last top nut using a socket and ratchet (3/8"), then guide the strut out.
• Move the knuckle slightly outward by hand if you need clearance; do not pull on the axle.

Step 8: If using quick struts, skip to installation

• If you bought complete strut assemblies (quick struts), the spring is already installed and safe.
• If you are reusing the spring, you must compress it first using a spring compressor (external) (specialty).
• A spring compressor is a clamp tool that squeezes the coil spring so it can’t expand suddenly.

Step 9: If reusing the spring, transfer components (only if experienced)

• Install the spring compressor (external) (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and tighten evenly using the correct socket and ratchet.
• Once the spring is loose in the seats, remove the center top nut using a strut nut pass-through socket set (specialty).
• Transfer the mount/bearing, boot, and bump stop as needed, then assemble onto the new strut.
• Release the spring compressor slowly and evenly until the spring seats correctly.
• Torque to factory specification (refer to GM service information).

Step 10: Install the strut into the tower

• Position the strut up into the strut tower.
• Start the top mount nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Snug them using a socket and ratchet (3/8"), but don’t final-torque yet.

Step 11: Attach the strut to the steering knuckle

• Align your paint marks and slide the knuckle onto the strut.
• Install the bolts and nuts using a socket set (8mm–24mm) and ratchet (1/2").
• Final tighten using a torque wrench (1/2").
• Torque to factory specification (refer to GM service information).

Step 12: Reconnect sway bar end link, brackets, and clips

• Reconnect the sway bar end link using the correct socket and wrench.
• Reinstall brake hose and ABS wire brackets using the correct socket and ratchet (3/8").
• Torque to factory specification (refer to GM service information).

Step 13: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Install the wheels and hand-thread lug nuts.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench (1/2").
• Torque to factory specification (refer to GM service information).

Step 14: Final-torque the upper mount nuts

• With the vehicle on the ground, final-torque the upper mount nuts using a torque wrench (3/8") and correct socket.
• Torque to factory specification (refer to GM service information).

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive slowly and listen for clunks, pops, or rubbing.
• Recheck that ABS wire/brake hose routing is not twisted and has slack at full steering lock.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible after replacing front struts.
• Tip: Alignment prevents rapid tire wear.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $350-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $550-$800 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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