Remove and replace the front coil springs by disassembling the strut assembly, compressing and swapping the springs, and reinstalling the strut.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front coil spring × 2 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
• Strut mount bearing (optional) × 2 — Inspect during disassembly
• Strut bump stop (optional) × 2 — Replace if damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands under chassis rails
4. Remove front wheels completely
5. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 15-30 minutes to soak

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the strut assembly. Hold the link shaft with a 6mm Allen key inserted from the top while loosening the upper nut with a 17mm wrench. Remove the nut completely and separate the link from the strut.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake line bracket
   Locate the brake line bracket bolted to the strut assembly. Remove the bolt(s) securing the bracket using a 14mm socket. Carefully position the brake line out of the way without kinking or stressing the line.
   ⚠Do not allow brake line to hang unsupported or bend sharply. Support with wire if necessary.
3. 3

   Disconnect lower ball joint
   Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut. Use a 19mm socket to loosen and remove the ball joint nut connecting the lower control arm to the steering knuckle. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to break the taper and separate the ball joint from the knuckle. If reusing the ball joint boot, use a puller tool rather than a pickle fork.
   ⚠Pickle fork tools will damage ball joint boots. Use a ball joint puller if reusing components.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. Support the knuckle assembly with one hand or a floor jack. Remove both 19mm bolts completely. Carefully pull the knuckle assembly away from the strut to separate.
   ⚠Support the knuckle assembly to prevent it from falling and damaging CV axle or brake components.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts109 Nm (81 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove strut tower nuts
   Open the hood and locate the three 14mm nuts on top of the strut tower in the engine compartment. Hold the strut from below while removing all three nuts. Carefully lower the strut assembly down and out through the wheel well.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Compress coil spring
   Place the strut assembly in a secure vise or on a stable work surface. Install the coil spring compressor tools on opposite sides of the spring, ensuring the compressor hooks are fully engaged in the coil. Alternately tighten the compressor bolts evenly, compressing the spring until all tension is removed from the upper strut mount. The spring should move freely when properly compressed.
   ⚠️Verify spring compressor tools are properly rated and correctly installed. Compress evenly and slowly. Stand to the side, never in line with the spring axis.
7. 7

   Remove strut shaft nut
   Insert a 6mm Allen key into the top of the strut shaft to prevent rotation. Use a 19mm socket to remove the strut shaft nut at the top of the assembly. Remove the upper strut mount, bearing plate, spring seat, and isolator components in order, noting their orientation for reassembly.
   ⚠️Ensure spring is fully compressed before removing shaft nut. Spring must have no tension on mount.
8. 8

   Remove old spring and inspect components
   Carefully remove the compressed spring from the strut. Inspect the strut mount bearing for roughness or binding, the bump stop for damage, and the spring seats for wear. Replace any damaged components. Clean all parts thoroughly.
9. 9

   Install new spring
   Install spring compressors on the new coil spring and compress it to the same length as the old spring was compressed. Place the new compressed spring onto the strut body, ensuring the end of the spring coil aligns with the locating tab on the lower spring seat. Install the bump stop, upper spring seat, and isolator in correct orientation.
   ⚠Spring end must seat properly in the locating tab. Verify alignment before proceeding.
10. 10

    Install upper mount and shaft nut
    Install the bearing plate and upper strut mount, ensuring correct orientation (mounting studs should align with original position). Thread the strut shaft nut onto the shaft. Hold the shaft with a 6mm Allen key and tighten the nut to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) using a torque wrench and 19mm socket.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Release spring compressors
    Slowly and evenly loosen the spring compressor bolts, alternating between compressors. Allow the spring to expand gradually and seat fully into the upper and lower spring seats. Once spring is fully seated and compressors are loose, remove the compressor tools completely.
    ⚠️Release spring tension slowly and evenly. Verify spring is seated correctly in both upper and lower seats before removing compressors.
12. 12

    Install strut assembly
    Lift the completed strut assembly into position through the wheel well. Align the upper mounting studs with the holes in the strut tower. Install the three 14mm nuts finger-tight from the engine compartment. Guide the lower end of the strut to the steering knuckle mounting location.
13. 13

    Connect strut to knuckle
    Align the strut bracket with the mounting holes on the steering knuckle. It may be necessary to use a pry bar or floor jack to align the holes. Install both strut-to-knuckle bolts and tighten to 109 Nm (81 lb-ft) using a torque wrench and 19mm socket.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts109 Nm (81 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect ball joint and brake bracket
    Lift the lower control arm ball joint into the steering knuckle. Install the ball joint castle nut and tighten to 84 Nm (62 lb-ft). Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut. Reattach the brake line bracket to the strut and secure with bolt(s).
    ⚠Always install a new cotter pin. If slots do not align at proper torque, tighten slightly more until next slot aligns. Never loosen to align.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final torque and reconnect sway bar
    From the engine compartment, torque the three strut tower nuts to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft). Reconnect the sway bar link to the strut, holding the shaft with a 6mm Allen key while torquing the nut to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft). Repeat entire procedure for opposite side.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern
2. Lower vehicle to ground and remove jack stands
3. Torque wheel lug nuts to 129 Nm (95 lb-ft) in star pattern with vehicle on ground
4. Close hood and verify all tools are removed from engine compartment

Verification

• Bounce each front corner of the vehicle to verify springs are seated and struts function properly
• Verify no unusual noises from suspension during bounce test
• Check that vehicle sits level side-to-side and front-to-back
• Test drive at low speed in safe area, checking for vibrations, noises, or handling issues
• Have front end alignment checked by professional within 50 miles of completing this repair

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