Complete Strut Assembley Installation

Hi,

I'm looking to replace my struts all the way around (Front + backs) but have never taken on this task before. I found a complete assembly with a "Pre-assembled replacement bearing plate, upper and lower spring isolators, upper spring seat, coil spring, boot kit, and a premium strut (Part #171661, 171662L & 171662R.) With that said, I wanted to know how difficult this task would be if I took it on myself. I have a mechanic that does stuff on the side for me but I would like to do this myself if possible. If any could tell me the difficulty level and step by step procedures (with pictures if possible) it would greatly appreciated (My vehicle has 140K - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GT - 3.8L)

Thx!

My friend had the same vehicle. He did replace the struts to all the way around he got them from www.affordablestruts.com they came with installation instructions . I was suppose to help him, but I had to work, so one of are other friends helped . You need two people, but they said it was not that bad doing it themselves. Plus save them money you know. Hope I could help.

they are moderately easy to install. jack up the car at the wheel which you are working on.then remove the tire. then remove the sway bar link .( large bolt with bushings that connects the sway bar to the control arm)(front) and in the rear its a link that connects the strut to the sway bar. in the front there is three bolts on the mount under the hood on the strut mount. loosen those three nuts up but dont take them off yet. then on the lower part of the strut there are two large bolts that connect the strut to the knuckle. take off the nuts then with a hammer tap the bolts out of the strut. then take a pry bar and put it between the sub frame and the control arm and pull the controll arm towards the ground some to give yourself room to pull the strut out without tearing the cv shaft boot. then remove the three nuts on the mount that you previously loosened then remove the strut. when u put the new strut in, put the top part in first then just hand tighten the nuts on the mount enough to let the strut hang without falling. then wiggle the controll arm around to get the lower part of the strut lined back up with knuckle. then re insert the two large bolts with a hammer. i might take a few tries to get those two bolts back in so dont get discouraged. once those bolts are back in tighten them back up then tighten up the mount bolts then use another jack and raise the control arm back up to ride height and re install your sway bar link. your front links might be frozen up with rust, if that's the case just cut them off and get new ones. they are reasonably cheap for good quality ones. around ten dollars or less. then put your tire back on and re torque your lug nuts. then repeat on each wheel. the only thing that is diff in the rear is the mounts are in the trunk at the top of the tire well. and the sway bar link looks different. on scale of one to ten its a 5 diffaculty. can definetly be done with one person. two people just makes it easier. after your all done get yourself a 4 wheel alignment and enjoy the comfy ride

This should be very helpful. Would you happen to know the torque specs?

for the lug nuts? i torque mine at 100 pounds but thats me. i think it calls 79-95

The 3 bolts on the top of the strut and the 2 lower bolts. Thanks

for them i just go by the as tight as you can get em rule

i bought those exact same struts from rockauto.com. all 4 of them, same part numbers you listed... monroe, right??

in my opinion, the hardest part out of the WHOLE project is 1 of the 3 nuts on the top of the rear struts. its completely possible, just time consuming cuz of their location. the 2nd hardest part of the job is getting the bottom 2 bolts out of all 4 of them. put something over the end (so you dont flatten/damage the bolt) and just pound like hell

this may help you
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=953533