suspension

Front Struts - Pair

for 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 L83 · RWD

Difficulty

Advanced

Time

3.2 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure replaces both front struts on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 engine, restoring ride quality and handling.

Warnings

⚠️Compressed coil springs store enormous energy and can cause severe injury or death if released suddenly. If disassembling struts, use only a proper spring compressor and follow manufacturer instructions exactly.

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use rated jack stands on solid, level ground.

⚠️Suspension work affects vehicle safety and handling. If you are uncertain about any step, have this work performed by a qualified technician.

⚠This procedure will alter vehicle alignment. Professional alignment is required after completion.

⚠Suspension fasteners may be severely corroded. Apply penetrating oil 24 hours before starting if possible.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack stands rated for vehicle weightEssential

Torque wrench (30-200 Nm / 22-150 lb-ft range)Essential

Spring compressor toolEssential

21mm socket for lug nutsEssential

18mm socket for strut tower nutsEssential

18mm wrenchEssential

15mm socket for strut boltsEssential

13mm socket for sway bar link

Allen key set (for sway bar link shaft)

Pry bar

Wire brush

Penetrating oil

Alignment marker or paint pen

Parts

Front strut assemblies (complete, pre-assembled recommended) × 2 — AC Delco 580-916 or equivalent
Strut tower mounting nuts × 6 — Use OEM specification if not included with struts
Sway bar link nuts (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
Chock rear wheels securely
Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved lift point on frame
Support vehicle with jack stands placed securely under frame rails behind front suspension
Remove both front wheels completely
Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak
Take photos of strut orientation and sway bar link positioning for reference

Procedure

1
Access strut tower mounting nuts
Open hood and locate the three strut tower mounting nuts at the top of each strut assembly. They are accessible from the engine bay at the inner fender area. Clean debris from around the nuts and studs.
2
Disconnect sway bar link (driver side first)
Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the lower control arm. Using an Allen key to hold the shaft from rotating, remove the lower sway bar link nut with a 13mm socket. Separate the link from the control arm. If replacing links or nuts are damaged, remove upper connection as well; otherwise leave attached to sway bar.
ℹ️The sway bar link shaft has internal hex to prevent spinning. Insert Allen key before attempting to loosen nut.
Torque spec
Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
3
Mark strut-to-knuckle alignment
Before removing strut bolts, use alignment marker or paint pen to mark the relationship between the strut bracket and steering knuckle. This helps preserve camber setting during reassembly and minimizes alignment changes.
4
Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
Locate the two horizontal bolts connecting the strut to the steering knuckle. Support the knuckle and brake assembly with one hand or a jack. Remove both 15mm strut-to-knuckle bolts completely. The knuckle will pivot outward once bolts are removed. Use care not to overextend the brake line.
⚠Do not allow the steering knuckle to hang freely by the brake line. Support it with a jack or bungee cord.
Torque spec
Strut Bolts144 Nm (106 lb-ft)
5
Remove strut tower nuts
Working from the engine bay, use an 18mm socket and wrench to remove all three strut tower mounting nuts from the top of the strut. Hold the studs from spinning with the wrench if necessary. Keep nuts for comparison with replacement hardware.
⚠The strut assembly is heavy and will drop once the nuts are removed. Ensure the area below is clear and be prepared to guide the strut out.
Torque spec
Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6
Remove strut assembly
Carefully lower and maneuver the strut assembly downward and out through the wheel well. It may require tilting and rotating to clear the control arm and frame. Set the old strut aside in a safe location.
7
Inspect mounting points and prepare new strut
Clean the strut tower mounting surface with a wire brush, removing all rust and debris. Inspect the steering knuckle mounting holes for damage or elongation. If using pre-assembled struts, verify they match the old strut's orientation and dimensions. If assembling struts yourself, use spring compressor per manufacturer instructions to transfer components safely.
⚠️If you are compressing springs yourself, ensure the spring compressor is properly engaged on the coils and tighten evenly. An improperly compressed spring can violently release.
8
Install new strut assembly
Guide the new strut assembly up through the wheel well, aligning the upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Push the assembly fully upward so all three studs protrude through the tower. Hold in position or have an assistant support from above.
9
Install strut tower nuts
Working from the engine bay, thread all three strut tower mounting nuts onto the studs by hand. Tighten evenly in a crisscross pattern to ensure proper seating. Torque all three nuts to specification using an 18mm socket and torque wrench.
Torque spec
Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
10
Connect strut to steering knuckle
Position the steering knuckle to align with the strut bracket, matching the alignment marks made during disassembly. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and thread nuts by hand. Ensure the knuckle is properly seated in the strut bracket before tightening.
11
Torque strut-to-knuckle bolts
Using a 15mm socket and torque wrench, torque both strut-to-knuckle bolts to specification. Verify the alignment marks still match and the knuckle is flush against the strut bracket.
Torque spec
Strut Bolts144 Nm (106 lb-ft)
12
Reconnect sway bar link
Align the sway bar link with the lower control arm mounting point. Insert the link stud through the control arm and thread the nut by hand. Using an Allen key to hold the shaft, torque the sway bar link nut to specification with a 13mm socket.
Torque spec
Sway Bar Link76 Nm (56 lb-ft)
13
Repeat for opposite side
Perform steps 2 through 12 for the passenger side strut assembly, following the same procedures exactly. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification.
14
Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
Install both front wheels, threading lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern but do not fully torque yet. Carefully raise vehicle slightly with floor jack and remove jack stands. Lower vehicle completely to the ground.
15
Final torque wheel lug nuts
With vehicle weight on the ground, torque all front wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a 21mm socket and torque wrench. Double-check that all lug nuts are properly seated and torqued.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts169 Nm (125 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification, particularly strut tower nuts, strut-to-knuckle bolts, and wheel lug nuts
Verify sway bar links are properly connected and torqued on both sides
Remove all tools and equipment from under vehicle and engine bay
Close hood and remove wheel chocks

Verification

Before driving, bounce each front corner of the vehicle to verify struts are functioning and no abnormal noises are present
Verify there is no visible looseness in strut mounting by attempting to move the strut tower nuts by hand
Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area, checking for unusual noises, vibrations, or handling issues
Schedule professional wheel alignment immediately - improper alignment will cause premature tire wear and handling problems
After 50-100 miles, re-torque all strut mounting fasteners and wheel lug nuts to specification
Monitor for any oil leakage from new struts over the first few weeks of operation