🔧 Altima - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This procedure covers replacing the front strut assemblies on your Altima. For a first-time DIYer, the safest method is to install complete loaded strut assemblies, which come with the spring and upper mount already assembled.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Replace front struts in pairs so braking, steering, and ride height stay even.
• ⚠️ Use loaded strut assemblies. A loaded strut is a complete preassembled unit with the coil spring already compressed safely.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the center nut on the old strut. The coil spring is under very high pressure.
• ⚠️ Always support your Altima with jack stands. A floor jack alone is not safe for working.
• ⚠️ Do not stretch the brake hose or ABS wheel speed sensor wire.
• ⚠️ 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 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 21mm socket
• 21mm wrench
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rubber mallet
• 18-inch pry bar
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front loaded strut assembly - Left: 1
• Front loaded strut assembly - Right: 1
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4 recommended
• Front upper strut mount nuts - Qty: 6 recommended

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Altima on level ground and set the parking brake.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• 🔩 Loosen the front lug nuts before lifting the vehicle.
• 🖊️ Use a paint marker to mark the strut-to-knuckle position before removal.
• 🧰 Spray penetrating oil on the two lower strut bolts on each side.
• 📐 Schedule a wheel alignment after the repair.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen them while tires touch ground.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack to lift the front of your Altima.
• Place jack stands under the front side support points.
• Lower the vehicle slowly onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching as backup support.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels.
• Place the wheels flat under the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Mark the Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to draw alignment marks where the strut bolts to the steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the large metal part behind the wheel hub that the strut attaches to.
• This mark helps you get close enough to drive safely to an alignment shop.

Step 5: Remove the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket or 10mm socket with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut.
• Use a flathead screwdriver or needle-nose pliers to release the ABS wire clip from the strut.
• Move the hose and wire aside gently.
• Do not bend, kink, or stretch them.

Step 6: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Use the floor jack under the lower control arm or steering knuckle area.
• Raise it just enough to support the suspension.
• Do not lift your Altima off the jack stands.

Step 7: Remove the Lower Strut Bolts

• Use a 21mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen the two lower strut nuts.
• Use a 21mm wrench on the bolt heads if they turn with the nuts.
• Remove both lower nuts.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolts out.
• Use an 18-inch pry bar only for gentle movement if the knuckle is stuck.
• Keep one hand on the knuckle so it does not fall outward.

Step 8: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Find the three upper strut mount nuts at the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to remove the three outer nuts.
• Support the strut from below while removing the last nut.
• Do not touch the center strut shaft nut.

Step 9: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Lower the old strut assembly out through the wheel well by hand.
• Use a rubber mallet only if the strut is lightly stuck.
• Compare the old strut to the new loaded strut before installation.
• Make sure the left and right loaded struts are not swapped.

Step 10: Install the New Loaded Strut Assembly

• Guide the new loaded strut assembly up into the strut tower by hand.
• Start the three upper mount nuts by hand.
• Use a 14mm socket and 3/8-inch drive ratchet to snug the nuts lightly.
• Do not fully tighten them yet.

Step 11: Connect the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Use the floor jack to raise or lower the knuckle until the lower bolt holes line up.
• Install the two lower strut bolts by hand.
• Install the lower nuts by hand.
• Use a 21mm socket, 21mm wrench, and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lower fasteners.
• Torque to 165 Nm (122 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Torque the Upper Mount Nuts

• Use a 14mm socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the three upper strut mount nuts.
• Torque to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• Do not tighten or loosen the center nut.

Step 13: Reattach the Brake Hose and ABS Wire

• Use a 12mm socket or 10mm socket with a 3/8-inch drive ratchet to reinstall the brake hose bracket bolt.
• Torque small bracket bolts to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).
• Use needle-nose pliers to clip the ABS wire back into its holder.
• Turn the steering by hand side to side and make sure nothing pulls tight.

Step 14: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 13 on the opposite front strut.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.

Step 15: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Place each front wheel back onto the hub by hand.
• Start every lug nut by hand first.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 16: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to raise the front slightly.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower your Altima fully to the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
• Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Listen for rubbing, popping, or clunking.
• ✅ Take a short, slow test drive on a smooth road first.
• ✅ Recheck that the brake hoses and ABS wires are secure on both sides.
• ✅ Get a professional wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles using a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $850-$1,350 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $300-$650 (parts only, alignment extra)

You Save: $400-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4 hours.

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