🔧 Altima - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This repair replaces the front strut assemblies on your Altima. The strut supports the vehicle’s weight, controls bouncing, and helps keep the tires planted on the road.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2.5-4 hours

Assumption: This guide covers front complete strut assemblies. Rear shocks are a different procedure.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Always replace front struts in pairs so the car handles evenly.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the center nut on the strut shaft unless the coil spring is safely compressed with a spring compressor. A loaded spring can cause serious injury.
• ⚠️ Complete strut assemblies are strongly recommended for beginners because the spring is already installed.
• ⚠️ The front suspension has alignment-sensitive parts. Your Altima needs a wheel alignment after this repair.
• ⚠️ If your Altima has ABS wheel speed sensor wiring or brake hose brackets attached to the strut, unclip them gently so the wiring is not stretched.
• ⚠️ 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
• 21mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• Socket set 10mm-22mm
• Wrench set 10mm-22mm
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 3/8-inch drive
• Trim clip removal tool
• Paint marker
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rubber mallet
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assembly - Left: 1
• Front complete strut assembly - Right: 1
• Front strut-to-steering knuckle nuts and bolts - Qty: 4
• Front stabilizer link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front upper strut mount nuts - Qty: 6

Tip: Complete strut assemblies include the spring, mount, and bearing already assembled.

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Altima on a flat, solid surface.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Open the hood before lifting the car.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly while the tires are still on the ground.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts, stabilizer link nut, and brake hose bracket bolt.
• A stabilizer link connects the strut to the sway bar, which helps reduce body roll in turns.
• A steering knuckle is the large metal part behind the wheel that holds the 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 lug nut socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each front lug nut about 1/2 turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Tip: Loosen before lifting for stability.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Car

• Use a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the front of your Altima at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) under the front pinch weld jack points.
• Lower the car gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching the lift point as a backup.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and place them flat under the side of the car as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Mark the Lower Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to mark where the strut meets the steering knuckle.
• This helps keep the alignment close enough to drive to an alignment shop.
• Tip: Mark both sides before disassembly.

Step 5: Remove the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm with a ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or flathead screwdriver to gently release any ABS sensor wire clips from the strut.
• Do not pull on the wire itself.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Link from the Strut

• Use the correct wrench from your wrench set 10mm-22mm to hold the stabilizer link stud if it spins.
• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the stabilizer link nut from the strut.
• Move the link away from the strut.
• If the joint spins, use needle-nose pliers or the matching wrench to hold the stud while loosening the nut.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) under the lower control arm or steering knuckle area to lightly support it.
• Do not lift the car off the jack stand.
• This prevents the brake hose and axle from being pulled downward when the strut is removed.

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

• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm, breaker bar 1/2-inch drive, and matching wrench from your wrench set 10mm-22mm to loosen the two large lower strut-to-knuckle nuts.
• Remove the nuts and push the bolts out by hand.
• If the bolts are stuck, tap them gently with a rubber mallet.
• Keep one hand on the knuckle so it does not drop outward.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• From under the hood, locate the three upper strut mount nuts on the strut tower.
• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the three upper mount nuts.
• Do not remove or loosen the large center nut on the strut assembly.
• Hold the strut with one hand while removing the last nut.

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Pull the lower part of the strut away from the steering knuckle by hand.
• Lower the strut out through the wheel opening.
• Use mechanic gloves because the edges and brackets can be sharp.

Step 11: Install the New Strut Assembly

• Guide the new complete strut assembly into the wheel well by hand.
• Line up the three upper mount studs with the holes in the strut tower.
• Install the new upper strut mount nuts by hand first.
• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the upper mount nuts to Torque to 34 Nm (25 ft-lbs).

Step 12: Reconnect the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Align the strut bracket with the steering knuckle using your paint marks as a guide.
• Install the new lower strut-to-knuckle bolts by hand.
• Install the new nuts by hand.
• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm, matching wrench from your wrench set 10mm-22mm, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle nuts to Torque to 155 Nm (114 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reconnect the Stabilizer Link

• Insert the stabilizer link stud into the strut bracket.
• Install the new stabilizer link nut by hand.
• Use the correct wrench from your wrench set 10mm-22mm to hold the stud if needed.
• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the stabilizer link nut to Torque to 65 Nm (48 ft-lbs).

Step 14: Reattach Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Position the brake hose bracket back onto the strut.
• Use the correct socket from your socket set 10mm-22mm and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive to tighten the bracket bolt to Torque to 10 Nm (89 in-lbs).
• Use your hands and a trim clip removal tool if needed to snap ABS wire clips back into their original positions.
• Make sure the brake hose and wire are not twisted or stretched.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Use the same tools and steps to replace the strut assembly on the opposite front side.
• Compare the left and right struts before installing. The brackets should face the correct direction.

Step 16: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Place each front wheel back onto the hub.
• Install lug nuts by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and ratchet 1/2-inch drive to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower the Car and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) to lift the car slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Lower the car fully to the ground.
• Use a 21mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each front corner of your Altima by hand. It should settle quickly without repeated bouncing.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked. Listen for rubbing, popping, or wire tension.
• ✅ Road test slowly first. Start under 30 mph and listen for clunks.
• ✅ Get a professional 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible after replacing front struts.
• ✅ Recheck the lug nut torque after 25-50 miles: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).
• ✅ If the steering wheel is off-center, the car pulls, or warning lights appear, avoid highway driving until alignment and inspection are completed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $650-$1,100 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $260-$550 (parts only)

You Save: $390-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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