Struts on the wifes car

[cftj]

I think the time has come to replace the struts on our car. [scratch]

It is a 2000 Chevy Impala. with 110k. The question is (and I've read through the chilton's, and I'm leery of my mechanical ability, or atleast my tool selection.) Is this something I can do in the driveway, or would I be better off having it done?

If I have it done, where would you recommend?

[billyjk7]

with that many miles, I would Just have it done. Its a pretty straightforward install. Just jack it up, wheels off, take out the struts/springs. Beer. Compress the springs and remove them from the struts.......reverse the process. Now go have it aligned. Most palces charge under 100 bucks for install of both sides. I prefer sears for this type of work or in-line suspension with KYB struts. Just my 2 cents.

[1Hickey]

I've done this on an old Sentra, and it wasn't too fun. This is work best done on a lift unless you don't have a choice. Like Tony said, it's not hard, but rusty and banged up suspension stuff on a car that you can't get to fasteners easily on can be a cause for much anger and profanity. [bang]

[tj06]

Yeah it's a pain to do if u don't know what your doing. U need to get a strut spring compressor if your going to reuse your springs. Or u can get struts with new springs added. There usually called quick struts. DO NOT LOOSEN THE NUT ON THE TOP OF THE STRUT WITH OUT THE SPRING COMPRESSED!!!!!!!! I know a guy who did that once with a impact gun and it shot the impact gun up to the ceiling in a autobody shop :shock: I changed a strut last winter and took the strut to tires plus to switch the spring over. (i was running out of time to change em). On some gm cars the bottom bolts are splined and u might have to resort to taking a full size sledge hammer to get them off. Just cover the threads with a impact socket. I woulda used the torch to loosen up but to many gas cans in the garage and didn't want to risk killing myself. It's bullsh!t like that on fwd cars is why i only work on solid axle 4x4's [thumbs]

[RubiconSteve]

I have a set of spring compressors you can use if you decide to do the them yourself.