changing struts on an '87 cutlass cierra

[terpjr]

Hi, I have a 1987 cutlass cierra. Recently I had been having a great deal of trouble with my car bouncing at speeds over 45 mphs and bouncing/shaking really badly over 55 mph. I took it to a local mechanic and he told me that the struts were in such bad shape that they had basically turned my passenger front tire into an oval. So, knowing my financial situation, he gave me a short term fix adn put my front tire on the rear and made it driveable.
He said that I would definitely need to put new struts on the car before long or it would happen again. I commute about 100 miles a day total so I know it is something that i need to tackle in the very-near future.
Would someone be so kind as to take me through this process.
1. How do I know what needs to be replaced? What signs will tell me what is worn out and needs replacing? Do I need to look at the shocks as well?
2. What tools will I need to do this job? I understand that a spring compressor is necessary, any other specialty items (there is a spring compressor for sale fairly cheap at the local harbor freight tools...since i will probably only do this job a few times in my life, is this a good or bad purchase to make?)
3. What is the process of replacing the struts on a car? Is there anythign particular to this make/model that I should look out for? Does anyone have any tips that will help me get the process done and keep the car relatively aligned so that I may get it to the mechanic?
4. Are there any brands of struts that I should be looking for? Any that I should avoid?
5. Any other advice.

I am very mechanically inclined but have not spent a lot of time around cars.

Thanks in advance for your replies I apologize for the length here.

[maxwedge]

Go to autozone.com/repairinfo enter the car and go to repair info good instruction you will need a good safe strut spring compressor, this can be a tough job without a lift for a first timer.