Strut Bearing

This procedure replaces the front strut bearing (upper strut mount bearing) on a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, restoring proper steering function and eliminating noise from worn bearings.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut bearing assembly (upper strut mount) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Strut mount hardware kit (if not included) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
2. Disconnect 12V negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes to ensure airbag system is discharged.
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground, but do not remove.
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated lift points and support with jack stands under chassis rails.
5. Remove front wheels completely and set aside.
6. Spray penetrating oil on strut tower nuts, strut-to-knuckle bolts, and sway bar link nuts. Allow 15 minutes to penetrate.
7. Open hood and locate strut tower nuts (three nuts per side under plastic cover if equipped).

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut
   Locate the sway bar link connection to the strut assembly. Hold the ball stud shaft with an Allen key to prevent spinning, then remove the upper sway bar link nut using appropriate socket. Disconnect link from strut. If ball joint spins, use locking pliers on the ball stud boot area (avoid damaging boot).
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Mark strut-to-knuckle alignment
   Before removing strut-to-knuckle bolts, use a paint marker or scribe to mark the alignment position of the strut relative to the steering knuckle. This preserves camber alignment and reduces the need for post-repair alignment. Mark both the bolt positions and the strut body orientation.
3. 3

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Remove the two bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle. These are large bolts requiring significant force. Use a breaker bar if necessary. Support the strut assembly with one hand while removing the second bolt. The knuckle and brake assembly will remain attached to the lower control arm.
   ⚠Strut assembly is heavy and will drop once bolts are removed. Ensure you have control of the assembly.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove strut tower nuts
   Working from engine bay, remove the three nuts securing the strut tower mount to the chassis. Hold the strut assembly from below to prevent it from falling. Once all three nuts are removed, carefully lower the strut assembly out through the wheel well.
   ⚠Have a helper support the strut from below, or use a suitable support, as the assembly will drop when the final nut is removed.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Compress coil spring
   Place strut assembly in a secure vise or strut holder. Install spring compressors on opposite sides of the coil spring, engaging at least 3 full coils. Tighten compressors evenly and alternately until spring tension is relieved from the upper mount (you should be able to wiggle the mount freely). Compress spring an additional 1-2 turns beyond this point for safety margin.
   ⚠️Ensure spring compressors are properly seated and rated for the spring load. Uneven compression or compressor failure can cause violent spring release.
6. 6

   Remove strut shaft nut
   Hold the strut shaft from rotating using a strut rod holding tool or impact wrench. Remove the upper strut shaft nut at the top of the mount assembly. The nut may be 18mm or 21mm depending on specific configuration. Once removed, carefully lift off the upper mount assembly, bearing, and spring seat.
   ⚠Even with spring compressed, some residual tension may exist. Control all components as you disassemble.
7. 7

   Remove and inspect old strut bearing
   Remove the old strut bearing from the mount assembly. Inspect the bearing for wear, roughness, or noise when rotated. Also inspect the upper spring seat, dust boot, and mount rubber for damage. Clean the strut shaft and mounting surfaces with wire brush, removing any corrosion or debris.
8. 8

   Install new strut bearing and mount
   Install the new strut bearing into the upper mount assembly, ensuring correct orientation (bearing should rotate smoothly). Install spring seat and any insulator components in correct order per manufacturer instructions. Position assembly onto strut shaft, aligning all components properly. Thread on new strut shaft nut (use new nut if specified in parts kit).
9. 9

   Torque strut shaft nut
   Hold strut shaft from rotating and torque the upper shaft nut to manufacturer specification (typically 50-70 Nm for this vehicle, verify with mount kit instructions). Ensure bearing rotates freely after torquing and that mount sits flush against spring seat.
10. 10

    Release spring compressors
    Slowly and evenly loosen both spring compressors, alternating between them to maintain even spring decompression. Allow spring to fully seat into upper and lower spring seats. Once spring is fully seated and no tension remains on compressors, completely remove the spring compressor tools.
    ⚠️Release spring tension slowly and evenly. Rapid or uneven release can cause spring to unseat violently.
11. 11

    Install strut assembly to tower
    Guide strut assembly up through wheel well, aligning the three studs with holes in strut tower. Have helper in engine bay start all three strut tower nuts by hand. Torque all three nuts in star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Attach strut to steering knuckle
    Align strut to steering knuckle using alignment marks made during disassembly. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and start nuts by hand. Ensure proper alignment before torquing. Torque both bolts to specification in a cross pattern.
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Connect sway bar link to strut. Install new nut and hold ball stud with Allen key while torquing nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle until tire just touches ground but weight is not fully on suspension. Torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Reconnect 12V battery negative terminal.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat all steps for opposite side strut bearing if replacing both sides.
2. Perform final torque check on all fasteners after test drive.
3. If vehicle pulls to one side or steering wheel is off-center, professional alignment is required.

Verification

• Start vehicle and turn steering wheel fully lock-to-lock while stationary. Listen for any clicking, popping, or grinding noises from strut bearing area.
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in parking lot, making slow and sharp turns in both directions. Verify smooth operation without noise.
• Drive vehicle on smooth road at moderate speed. Verify no abnormal noises, vibrations, or steering issues.
• Visually inspect all fasteners for proper installation and verify no components are loose or misaligned.
• Schedule wheel alignment within one week to verify camber, caster, and toe are within specification.

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