🔧 Strut Replacement - Front Suspension

Assumption: This covers the front struts on your Sierra. Your truck uses front struts, while the rear uses shocks.

Replacing the front struts restores ride control, braking stability, and steering feel. On this truck, the job also involves handling the steering knuckle and suspension hardware carefully so alignment stays close enough to drive to an alignment shop afterward.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the truck securely with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• Front suspension springs are under heavy tension. Use only a proper spring compressor if the strut comes apart from the spring.
• Do not let the brake hose or ABS wire hang by themselves.
• An alignment is required after this repair.
• Battery disconnect 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
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Breaker bar
• Ratchet
• Metric socket set
• 15mm socket
• 18mm socket
• 21mm socket
• Torque wrench
• Wrench set
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount nuts - Qty: 6
• Front sway bar link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front lower strut bolt nuts - Qty: 2
• Alignment - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• If replacing both sides, do them one at a time so you can compare hardware.
• Mark bolt positions before removal.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the front wheel lug nuts

• Use a 21mm socket and breaker bar to loosen the front lug nuts one turn each while the truck is still on the ground.
• Do not remove them yet.

Step 2: Lift and support the truck

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the truck by the frame.
• Set the frame securely on jack stands.
• Remove the front wheel with the 21mm socket.

Step 3: Remove the sway bar link from the strut

• Use the correct wrench set and socket set to remove the sway bar end link nut from the strut.
• If the stud spins, hold it with the matching wrench while loosening the nut.

Step 4: Disconnect the brake hose and ABS wire brackets

• Use a ratchet and 15mm socket or small socket set as needed to remove the bracket fasteners from the strut.
• Move the hose and wire aside so they do not stretch.

Step 5: Mark the strut-to-knuckle position

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the strut and steering knuckle.
• This helps keep alignment changes smaller.

Step 6: Separate the strut from the knuckle

• Use an 18mm socket and breaker bar to remove the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts.
• Support the knuckle as the bolts come out so it does not drop.
• Use a pry bar or hammer only if needed to free the joint carefully.

Step 7: Remove the upper strut mount nuts

• Open the hood and locate the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 15mm socket to remove the upper strut mount nuts.
• Hold the strut assembly with one hand while removing the last nut.

Step 8: Remove the strut assembly

• Lower the strut assembly out of the wheel well.
• If it sticks, angle the knuckle outward carefully and guide the strut free.

Step 9: Transfer parts if needed

• If your new strut is not preassembled, use a spring compressor (specialty) to transfer the spring, mount, and isolators from the old strut to the new one.
• Do not remove the top nut without the spring securely compressed.
• Keep hands clear of the spring path.

Step 10: Install the new strut

• Position the strut in the tower and start the upper nuts by hand.
• Align the lower strut tabs with the knuckle and install the lower bolts.
• Use an 18mm socket and 15mm socket as needed to snug the hardware.
• Torque the lower strut bolts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).
• Torque the upper strut mount nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 11: Reinstall brackets and sway bar link

• Use the ratchet and 15mm socket to reinstall the brake hose and ABS wire brackets.
• Reinstall the sway bar link to the strut and tighten it securely.
• Torque the sway bar link nut to 95 Nm (70 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reinstall the wheel

• Put the wheel back on and start the lug nuts by hand.
• Lower the truck to the ground.
• Use the 21mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque the lug nuts to 190 Nm (140 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Start the truck and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock to check for rubbing or noise.
• Test drive slowly first and listen for clunks.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.
• Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $280-$650 (parts only)

You Save: $420-$550 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.