I need new struts in my 98 grand prix gtp, i have a little experience working on cars. so if i bought the entire strut assembly, spring and all, ready to install, how hard is it to put them in?
2007-07-28 11:00:01 · 8 answers · asked by NICHOLAS B 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If the pieces are put togeather as a unit its easy. Jack up the car (so the wheel can hang from suspension) take off wheel. There will be three bolts under hood or trunk lid and two bolts going through spindle. It's not that hard to understand it's just manual labor. If you need to put the unit togeather spring/strut You need a spring compressor (parts stores loan them out) But seek professional help or have a garage put them togeather. I seperated 4 springs/struts in an intrigue (built the same as your car) in under 3 hours. Do not remove the center nut located between the top three bolts under hood. This will allow the spring to come loose and it could seriously hurt and or kill you. Also you do not need to remove any steering linkages. I am not a mechanic but I own a very similar car and have been involved in fixing cars since before I could legally drive them. I just had to say don't take anybodys word on it though. If you are unsure/ scared it's probably better to have it done. That spring has some serious power behind it.((((((do not remove the center nut without a compressor))))).
2007-07-28 11:44:52 · answer #1 · answered by Garfield 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it's not really that difficult as others would say. You can check out this instructional video from Prime Choice Auto Parts on "How to change a strut assembly." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cs8-S_P8tM . Hope this helped. Best of luck! :)
2014-04-24 21:12:54 · answer #2 · answered by Charles 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll need a strut spring compressor to do the job. Can't do it without it. And it IS a somewhat dangerous job, if the spring compressor slips out. Unlike a regular car spring, which is not captive, the strut spring IS captive, it can't go anywhere, but it can cause incredible damage to your hands or whatever is in the way if the tool slips. You have to incrementally tighten each side of the spring compressor evenly to make sure it doesn't lean to one side too much.
That said, you can save more than enough money on the job doing it yourself to buy the tool. It's just how comfortable you are around a high-energy spring which you have to compress,take out, decompress, put the tool on the new one, compress it, install it, decompress it. Times 2. And usually it's a tight fit under there, it may require a special tool. Not every spring compressor is going to work for every model car.
So, if you feel up to a challenge, go for it. Make SURE the tool is installed 180 degrees from each other, ie exactly opposite. And crank it down a few turns on each side, then the other. Once it's clear of the top inner fender panel, usually only a few inches, it will come out. Don't have to compress it the whole way. Good luck!
- The Gremlin Guy -
2007-07-28 11:11:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it should go in not too hard. one bolt on top, and 2 bolts on the bottom. you won't need a spring compresser, since the spring is already in the strut. taking the old one out might be a little difficult. the top bolt might not want to cooperate. sometimes it is best to just break off the top bolt and nut. after you get them in, you will need to have the wheels aligned right away. that is the only difficult part about changing struts yourself. try to schedule an alignment right after you change the struts.
2007-07-28 11:10:07 · answer #4 · answered by garyra8668 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The task itself is not difficult. The hardest part is splitting the taper joints on the suspension and steering. You really do need a special tool for this job.
Good luck with your projects.
Edit: If you buy the strut as an assembly, you wont have the problem that longstroqz mentions.
2007-07-28 11:08:08 · answer #5 · answered by skytrain18 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same problem on my maxima.... and honestly guy from what i understand from my mechanic your gunna need a tool to compress the strut to pull it out... and the same tool to compress it to put it in.
the difucult part is where to find the inside of the strut on the rear of the car..... AND
the biggest thing is if you dont compress it correctly or you do it wrong, it could decompress really quickly and hit you causeing some serious damage to you body.....
thats why i havent done mine yet
2007-07-28 11:04:10 · answer #6 · answered by longstroqz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a complete unit should be fairly simple.. you may need a helper to pry down on the lower control arm as you remove the old and install the new one... just nuts and bolts.... becareful not to damage the axle boot or brake hose and abs wire
2007-07-28 11:08:41 · answer #7 · answered by John St.Louis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your better off letting a shop put them in for you. They will have to realign the car anyway. good luck.
2007-07-28 11:08:30 · answer #8 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋