🔧 CX-5 - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This guide covers replacing the front strut assemblies on your CX-5. The strut supports vehicle weight, controls bouncing, and helps keep the tire planted on the road, so worn struts can cause clunking, nose-diving, uneven tire wear, or poor handling.

Recommendation: Replace front struts in pairs so both sides handle evenly.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always support your CX-5 with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Strut coil springs store a lot of energy. Use complete loaded strut assemblies if you are a beginner.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the center strut shaft nut unless the spring is safely compressed with a proper spring compressor.
• ⚠️ If replacing bare struts only, a coil spring compressor is required and must be used carefully.
• ⚠️ Keep brake hoses, ABS sensor wires, and axle boots from being stretched or pinched.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is required after front strut replacement.
• ⚠️ 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-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive, 20-250 Nm range
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive, 10-80 Nm range
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• 21mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 21mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 14mm wrench
• Socket extension 6-inch, 1/2-inch drive
• Socket extension 6-inch, 3/8-inch drive
• Trim clip removal tool
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Rubber mallet
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil spray
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front loaded strut assembly, driver side - Qty: 1
• Front loaded strut assembly, passenger side - Qty: 1
• Front stabilizer bar link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 1 set
• Front strut mount nuts - Qty: 6

Beginner note: A loaded strut assembly comes pre-assembled with the spring, mount, boot, and strut. This avoids compressing the spring.

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your CX-5 on level ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the strut-to-knuckle bolts and stabilizer link nuts. Let it soak for 10-15 minutes.
• Open the hood and locate the three upper strut mount nuts on each front strut tower.
• A steering knuckle is the large metal part that holds the wheel hub and connects to the strut.

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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 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each front wheel lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
• Loose first, lift second.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift the front of your CX-5 at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands rated 3-ton minimum under the front side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Use mechanic gloves and shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to remove the lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels.
• Place the wheels flat under the body as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Mark the Strut-to-Knuckle Position

• Use a paint marker to mark the outline where the strut meets the steering knuckle.
• This helps keep the alignment close enough for a safe drive to the alignment shop.
• It does not replace a professional alignment.

Step 5: Disconnect the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut.
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the ABS wheel speed sensor wire bracket if attached to the strut.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to release any plastic wire clips from the strut body.
• Move the hose and wire aside gently. Do not pull on them.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link from the Strut

• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the stabilizer bar link nut at the strut bracket.
• If the link stud spins, hold the stud with a 14mm wrench while removing the nut with the 14mm socket.
• Move the stabilizer link away from the strut bracket.
• A stabilizer bar link connects the strut to the sway bar, which helps reduce body roll in turns.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Place the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum lightly under the lower control arm near the ball joint.
• Raise the jack just enough to support the knuckle and suspension.
• Do not lift the vehicle off the jack stand.
• This prevents the axle, brake hose, and ABS wire from stretching when the strut bolts are removed.

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

• Use a 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen the two lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts.
• If very tight, spray penetrating oil spray and wait a few minutes.
• Do not remove both bolts fully until the knuckle is supported.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Use a 14mm socket, 6-inch 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove two of the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Loosen the third nut but leave it threaded on a few turns to hold the strut in place.
• Do not remove the large center nut on the strut mount.

Step 10: Remove the Lower Strut Bolts

• Use a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench to remove the two lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolts out if they are snug.
• Support the knuckle with one hand or the jack so it does not fall outward.

Step 11: Remove the Strut Assembly

• Hold the strut from below with one hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the final upper mount nut.
• Lower the strut assembly out through the wheel well.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch only for gentle positioning if needed.

Step 12: Compare the New Strut Assembly

• Set the old and new loaded strut assemblies side by side.
• Check that the spring seat, mounting studs, lower bracket, and hose brackets match.
• If the upper mount has a direction arrow or mark, orient it the same way as the original.

Step 13: Install the New Strut Assembly

• Guide the new strut assembly up through the wheel well.
• Line up the upper strut mount studs with the holes in the strut tower.
• Install the upper mount nuts by hand first.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the upper nuts, but do not fully torque them yet.
• Hand-start nuts to prevent cross-threading.

Step 14: Attach the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to adjust the knuckle height until the bolt holes line up.
• Install the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts by hand.
• Install the nuts by hand.
• Use a 19mm socket and 19mm wrench to snug the bolts.

Step 15: Torque the Lower Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts

• Use a 19mm socket, 19mm wrench, and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle fasteners to Torque to 156-176 Nm (115-130 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the strut bracket is seated flat against the steering knuckle before final tightening.

Step 16: Torque the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket, 6-inch 3/8-inch drive extension, and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the upper strut mount nuts to Torque to 44-54 Nm (32-40 ft-lbs).
• Do not tighten or remove the large center strut shaft nut on a loaded strut assembly.

Step 17: Reconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Insert the stabilizer bar link stud into the strut bracket.
• Install the nut by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket, 14mm wrench, and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the stabilizer link nut to Torque to 43-60 Nm (32-44 ft-lbs).

Step 18: Reconnect the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the brake hose bracket bolt to Torque to 19-25 Nm (14-18 ft-lbs).
• Use a 10mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the ABS wire bracket bolt to Torque to 8-10 Nm (71-88 in-lbs).
• Use a trim clip removal tool only if needed to reseat plastic clips carefully.
• Confirm the hose and wire do not rub the tire or strut spring.

Step 19: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the strut assembly on the opposite side.
• Do one side at a time if this is your first suspension job.
• One side can guide the other.

Step 20: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Install the front wheels by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• A star pattern means tightening across the wheel instead of around in a circle.

Step 21: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack rated 3-ton minimum to lift your CX-5 slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands rated 3-ton minimum.
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts to Torque to 108-147 Nm (80-108 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of your CX-5 several times to settle the suspension.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Listen for rubbing, popping, or binding.
• ✅ Test drive slowly at first over a smooth road, then over small bumps.
• ✅ Stop and recheck that the brake hoses and ABS wires are clipped in place and not stretched.
• ✅ Schedule a professional 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• ✅ Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $850-$1,400 including parts, labor, and alignment

DIY Cost: $350-$750 parts only, plus alignment

You Save: $350-$650 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 plus alignment time.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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