How to Replace Strut Spring Assembly 2002-06 Nissan Altima
Created on: 2013-12-08
If you hear clunks or thuds in the front of your 02-06 Nissan Altima, it may be time for new struts. Find out how to replace yours with this video
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step 1 :Remove the wheel
- Loosen the lug nuts with your 19 mm socket and breaker bar
- Raise and secure the vehicle
- Remove the lug nuts and set the wheel aside.
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step 2 :Remove the struts
- Hit the bolts at the bottom of the strut with penetrating oil.
- Remove the stabilizer link using a 19 and 17 mm socket and ratchet on either side.
- Unclip the ABS line.
- Remove the two 19 mm nuts securing the bottom of the strut.
- Unbolt the three 14 mm nuts at the top of the strut in the engine bay.
- Pull your strut out.
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step 3 :Install the new strut
- Line up the new strut and thread the three 14 mm nuts on.
- Slide the bottom of the strut into place and thread in the two bolts.
- Torque the 14 mm nuts to 35 ft lbs.
- The 19 mm bolts should be torqued to 85 ft lbs.
- Replace the stabilizer link using your sockets and ratchets.
- Clip the ABS line to the strut.
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step 4 :Replace the wheel
- Put the wheel back on.
- Thread on the lug nuts.
- Lower the vehicle
- Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 100 ft lbs.
Tools needed
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21mm Socket
Hammer
Torque Wrench
14mm Socket
17mm Socket
Jack Stands
19mm Socket
Ratchet
Floor Jack
Brought to you by 1AAuto.com. Your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the internet. Hi, I'm Don from 1A Auto. I hope this how to video help you out. The next time you need a part for your vehicle think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks.
In this video we show you how to replace a front strut on this 2003 Nissan Altima. It's the same process on these Altimas from 2002 to 2006. We show you how to do this on the passenger side, but it's a similar process on the driver side. The items you'll need for this is a new front strut from 1AAuto.com; 14, 17, 19 and 21 mm sockets and ratchet. A torque wrench, a hammer, jack and jack stands and depending on the condition of your vehicle you may also need a torch.
Start off by removing your wheel. If you don't have air powered tools, you're going want to loosen the lug nuts while the vehicle on the ground, then jack it up and remove them the rest of the way.
Next you want to coat all the bolts and nuts that hold the strut with penetrating oil. On the stabilizer link we use a 19 mm wrench on the backside and then a 17 mm socket with a ratchet. You can also use a pipe for some extra leverage and get that bolt going. What we find basically is that this car's in rough enough shape that, that won't come apart. So we actually heat up the stud and the bolt with a torch. You could do this. Also if you've got it loose enough you could use a reciprocating saw to cut it. If you did have to cut it off then you would have to use or source a new stabilizer link at 1AAuto.com. In the end we get it apart.
Use a screwdriver and hammer and remove the clip that holds the brake line in place. Then remove the brake line. Now remove the two 19 mm nuts that hold the large bolts that hold the bottom of the strut. You'll want to use a 19 mm wrench on the backside and then a 19 mm socket and ratchet. You might want to start out with a breaker bar or a piece of pipe to get them going. Now at the top of your strut you'll see that there are these three 14 mm nuts. You want to go ahead and remove those. Those are out, pry your strut back, and lift it up and out.
Old strut on the right, new strut from 1A Auto on the left. You can see they're identical. They'll mount up exactly the same. Take your new strut and feed it up into place. You want to make sure that each of those studs pops out. Then replace those three 14 mm nuts and tighten those up. Torque these nuts to 25 to 30 foot pounds. Use a flat blade screwdriver to turn the strut. Then lift your wheel knuckle up into that strut. Once you have the holes lined up push the 19 mm bolts into place. Once they're both in place you can hammer them in the rest of the way. Then replace those 19 mm nuts and tighten them up. You want to torque these bolts to about 85 foot pounds. Put your brake line back into place and insert the clip. If it helps you can turn the wheel, give you better access and use hammer to get it on the rest of the way. Then put your sway bar link back into place and replace that 17 mm nut.
We'll fast forward as Don tightens that up. Replace your wheel, hubcap and lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts preliminarily, lower the vehicle and tighten them the rest of the way. Then you want to torque the lug nuts in a crossing pattern to 100 foot pounds.
We hope this video helps you out; brought to you by 1AAuto.com. Your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the internet. Please feel to call us toll free 888-844-3393. We're the company that's here for you on the internet and in person.
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