What happens if you remove the center nut on a strut?
What happens if you remove the center nut on a strut?
Do not remove the center nut or the strut will come apart and it is under high spring tension. Since you’ve removed the bolts from the steering knuckle, the strut might fall loose after you remove these bolts. It might help to have a partner holding onto the strut assembly while you loosen these bolts.
How do you remove a strut from a spring?
Remove the large nut on top of the strut with ratchet and socket combination, and hold the strut rod with a wrench just below the strut bearing. Make a note of the strut top plate rotation before removal and reinstall in the same position. The strut can now be removed from the spring while the spring is still compressed by the spring compressor.
Do you need an alignment on your struts?
Some struts or the steering knuckles on some vehicles have slotted holes and will require an alignment after the struts are replaced. Do not drive these vehicles without getting an alignment or the tires will get damaged. Thanks! Rusted, damaged or cracked springs must be replaced.
Where are the strut bolts located on a car?
Once the strut bolts are out the strut and steering knuckle are separated. Open the hood and locate the strut towers to remove the bolts. Usually they are located at the midpoint of the inside fender well and look like cylinders. They are most likely held in by three small bolts. Remove the strut tower bolts.
How much does a Dodge Grand Caravan strut cost?
The strut assemblies for this 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan cost about $135 each (the strut alone is $70). The strut-to-steering-knuckle nuts and bolts are fairly large, so you’ll need 18mm through 23mm 1/2-in.-drive deep sockets and a beefy 1/2-in.-drive breaker bar and ratchet.
Do not remove the center nut or the strut will come apart and it is under high spring tension. Since you’ve removed the bolts from the steering knuckle, the strut might fall loose after you remove these bolts. It might help to have a partner holding onto the strut assembly while you loosen these bolts.
How do you replace a strut on a car?
Loosen and remove the upper strut nut using a wrench. Pull the upper strut plate from the strut and remove the spring by pulling it off. Place the spring over the new strut and put the upper strut plate into the new strut. Tighten the upper strut nut using a wrench.
How do you remove a spring from a strut?
Pull the upper strut plate from the strut and remove the spring by pulling it off. Place the spring over the new strut and put the upper strut plate into the new strut. Tighten the upper strut nut using a wrench. Loosen the spring compressor until the spring is fully extended inside of the strut assembly.
What kind of nuts and bolts do you need to replace struts?
The strut-to-steering-knuckle nuts and bolts are fairly large, so you’ll need 18mm through 23mm 1/2-in.-drive deep sockets and a beefy 1/2-in.-drive breaker bar and ratchet. Some strut bolts are a single-use ‘torque-to-yield’ (TTY) style that can’t be reused. Ask the parts store clerk if yours are TTY.
What’s the best way to replace a strut?
Once it’s in place, torque the strut mount nuts to spec. Then push the steering knuckle into the strut flange and use a pin punch to align one hole so you can insert a bolt. Then remove the punch and insert the other bolt. Snug up the nuts, but don’t tighten fully.
What are the parts of a strut assembly?
Complete Strut Assemblies are Just That, Complete A strut assembly comes assembled and includes all new parts (where applicable): strut, spring, spring seat insulator, strut boot, jounce bumper, strut mount and bearing plate.
How do you remove a strut from a CV boot?
Jam a pry bar between the strut and the knuckle and pry the knuckle toward you until it pops out of the strut flange. Place a thin piece of plywood under the strut flange to prevent it from damaging the CV boot once you disengage the top portion of the strut.
Once the strut bolts are out the strut and steering knuckle are separated. Open the hood and locate the strut towers to remove the bolts. Usually they are located at the midpoint of the inside fender well and look like cylinders. They are most likely held in by three small bolts. Remove the strut tower bolts.
How do you install a new strut on a car?
Installing a New Strut Install the completed strut assembly back into the steering knuckle. Replace the bolts, leaving them finger tight, allowing the assembly to move freely. Place the strut assembly back into the strut tower and replace the strut tower bolts.
What’s the best way to remove rust from a strut?
This is often rusted on and difficult to remove. You might choose to spray some rust loosening spray like WD-40 on equal onto the bolts before you can free them. Try hammering a few times on the knuckle itself to loosen things up a bit before hammering directly on the bolts holding the strut to the knuckle.
