🔧 Flex - Front Strut Replacement

On your Flex, the front suspension uses MacPherson struts (a shock + coil spring assembly). Replacing worn struts restores ride comfort, braking stability, and steering control, and it also prevents uneven tire wear.

Assumption: You mean the front struts. (The rear of your Flex uses separate shocks and springs, not “struts.”)

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the vehicle with jack stands—never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ If you are NOT installing a complete strut assembly (“quick-strut”), the coil spring is under high force. A spring compressor (tool that safely squeezes the spring) is required. Improper use can cause serious injury.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of pinch points at the steering knuckle and strut mount.
• ⚠️ Plan on a wheel alignment after strut replacement (camber can change).
• ✅ 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
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (20–250 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (8mm–24mm, 1/2")
• Wrench set (8mm–24mm)
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 24mm socket
• Torx T30 bit
• Pry bar (18")
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flat trim tool
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Bungee cord
• Spring compressor (internal or external) (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assemblies (quick-struts) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• Front sway bar end links - Optional but recommended if loose/noisy - Qty: 2
• Front upper strut mount nuts - Optional if damaged/corroded - Qty: 6

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, steering wheel straight, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels with wheel chocks.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn using a 21mm socket and breaker bar (do not remove yet).
• Open the hood and locate the strut tower (top of the strut) nuts so you know where they are, but do not remove them yet.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle down onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) placed under solid frame/support points.
• Remove both front wheels using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Disconnect the brake hose/ABS wire brackets from the strut

• Spray fasteners with penetrating oil.
• Remove the brake hose bracket fastener(s) from the strut using a 10mm socket.
• Remove any ABS wire clips from the strut using a flat trim tool.
• Tip: Don’t pull on the ABS wire itself.

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

• Remove the end link nut at the strut using an 18mm wrench.
• If the stud spins, hold the stud with a Torx T30 bit while turning the nut.
• Torque on reassembly: 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs)
• Tip: If boots are torn, replace the links.

Step 4: Mark the strut-to-knuckle position

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the strut and the steering knuckle.
• This helps keep alignment close enough to drive to the shop, but you still need an alignment.

Step 5: Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the steering knuckle so it doesn’t drop and stress the axle or ball joints. Use a floor jack lightly under the control arm, or a bungee cord to support the knuckle.
• Remove the two large strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a 21mm socket and breaker bar (bolt head size may vary; use the correct matching socket/wrench from your set).
• Use a pry bar (18") to gently separate the knuckle from the strut if needed.
• Torque on reassembly: 240 Nm (177 ft-lbs)

Step 6: Remove the upper strut mount nuts and take the strut out

• From under the hood, remove the upper strut mount nuts using a 13mm socket.
• Hold the strut from below as you remove the last nut so it doesn’t fall.
• Remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.
• Torque on reassembly: 46 Nm (34 ft-lbs)

Step 7: If using quick-struts, install the new assembly

• Position the new quick-strut into the strut tower and start the top nuts by hand using a 13mm socket (do not fully tighten yet).
• Slide the strut into the steering knuckle and install the two strut-to-knuckle bolts/nuts using a 21mm socket and breaker bar.
• Align your paint marks as closely as possible.
• Torque: Upper mount nuts 46 Nm (34 ft-lbs); Strut-to-knuckle bolts 240 Nm (177 ft-lbs)

Step 8: If NOT using quick-struts (spring swap)

• Install a spring compressor (specialty) on the coil spring and compress evenly until the spring is loose on the mount.
• Remove the strut shaft nut using a 24mm socket while holding the shaft with the correct counter-hold (often an internal hex/Torx depending on the strut design).
• Transfer the spring, boot, and mount in the same order onto the new strut.
• Release the spring compressor slowly and evenly.
• Tip: For first-timers, quick-struts are safer.

Step 9: Reconnect brackets and end link

• Reconnect the sway bar end link using an 18mm wrench and Torx T30 bit if needed.
• Torque: 115 Nm (85 ft-lbs)
• Reattach brake hose bracket using a 10mm socket.
• Torque: 10 Nm (89 in-lbs)
• Re-clip the ABS wire using needle-nose pliers if required.

Step 10: Reinstall wheels and lower the vehicle

• Install wheels and snug lug nuts using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the Flex off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts: 203 Nm (150 ft-lbs) in a star pattern using a torque wrench.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the Flex and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while parked to confirm no rubbing or stretched wires/hoses.
• Road test at low speed first. Listen for clunks over small bumps.
• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25–50 miles using a torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $600-$900 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?

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.