🔧 Front Strut Assembly - Replacement

This job replaces the complete front strut assembly on your CX-5. The strut supports the suspension, helps control body motion, and affects ride quality and steering feel. If your vehicle has clunks, bouncing, or uneven tire wear, worn struts are a common cause.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours per side

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle securely with jack stands before removing any suspension parts.
• The front suspension spring is under high tension. If replacing only the strut cartridge, use a proper spring compressor. A spring compressor is a specialty tool that safely controls the coil spring.
• Do not hang the brake caliper by the hose.
• After reassembly, a wheel alignment is required.
• 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 socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 19mm socket
• Ratchet
• Breaker bar
• Torque wrench
• Trim clip tool
• Penetrating oil
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Paint marker
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assembly - Driver side - Qty: 1
• Front strut assembly - Passenger side - Qty: 1
• Front strut mount and bearing kit - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front stabilizer link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• If replacing both sides, do one side at a time so the other side can be used as a reference.
• Use penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts and sway bar link nut if they are rusty.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of the CX-5 at the proper jacking point.
• Support it with jack stands under the designated support points.
• Remove the front wheel using a 21mm socket.

Step 2: Disconnect the sway bar link

• Use a 17mm socket and 19mm socket to remove the front stabilizer link nut from the strut.
• If the stud spins, hold it with the correct backup wrench while loosening the nut.
• Clean threads help prevent stripping.

Step 3: Free the brake line and ABS wire brackets

• Use a trim clip tool or small hand tool to release any brackets attached to the strut.
• Move the brake hose and ABS wire aside carefully. Do not stretch them.

Step 4: Remove the lower strut bolts

• Use a 17mm socket and breaker bar to remove the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts.
• Support the steering knuckle so it does not drop and stress the axle or brake hose.
• Mark the position of the strut to help with alignment during installation.

Step 5: Remove the strut mount nuts

• Open the hood and locate the top strut mount.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the upper strut mount nuts.
• Hold the strut assembly from below as you remove the last nut.

Step 6: Remove the strut assembly

• Lower the assembly out of the wheel well.
• If needed, swing the knuckle outward gently for clearance.

Step 7: Transfer the spring and mount if required

• If you are installing a complete loaded strut, skip this step.
• If reusing the spring, install a spring compressor (specialty) and compress the coil evenly.
• Use a 14mm socket to remove the top nut from the strut shaft.
• Transfer the spring, mount, and bearing to the new strut in the same orientation.
• Double-check spring seat alignment.

Step 8: Install the new strut assembly

• Position the strut in the tower and hand-start the top mount nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Align the lower strut holes with the steering knuckle.
• Install the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts using a 17mm socket.
• Torque the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to 175 Nm (129 ft-lbs).
• Torque the upper strut mount nuts to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Reconnect the sway bar link and brackets

• Reinstall the stabilizer link to the strut using a 17mm socket and 19mm socket.
• Torque the sway bar link nut to 58 Nm (43 ft-lbs).
• Reattach the brake hose and ABS wire brackets.

Step 10: Reinstall the wheel and lower the vehicle

• Install the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts using a 21mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle and torque the lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs) in a star pattern.

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✅ After Repair

• Bounce the front of the vehicle gently and listen for clunks.
• Check that the brake hose and ABS wire are not twisted or pinched.
• Test drive carefully at low speed first.
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 50-100 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $220-$500 (parts only)

You Save: $480-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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