How to replace the struts 2013 – 2018 Nissan Altima

Chapter 1:

Open the hood

Step 1/1

Turn your engine off, set the parking brake pull on the hood release handle, and open the hood.

Chapter 2:

Prepare the strut

Step 1/2

Next, using a ratchet and a 13 mm socket, unscrew the first bolt holding the strut a few threads so that there is enough slack for the next steps.

Chapter 2:

Step 2/2

Use a 13 mm wrench to unscrew the last bolts. You can use another wrench to make unscrewing easier.

Chapter 3:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/3

Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels. To be able to replace the struts on your vehicle, you need to remove the wheels to gain complete access to the suspension system.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/3

Lift the front of your vehicle.

Chapter 3:

Step 3/3

Place the vehicle on the jack stands.

Chapter 4:

Take off the wheels

Step 1/1

Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!

Chapter 5:

Visualise

Step 1/1

You can now see the struts on your car.

Chapter 6:

Remove the sway bar end link

Step 1/1

Now you need to remove the upper ball joint of the sway bar end link. To do so, we recommend watching the video : “How to replace the sway bar end link Nissan Altima?”

Chapter 7:

Remove various hoses

Step 1/2

Unclip the ABS sensor cable from each side the strut foot.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/2

Then, using a flathead screwdriver, remove the brake hose retaining clip. Next, remove the hose.

Chapter 8:

Loosen the strut foot

Step 1/4

Brush the 2 strut foot bolts, then spray them with penetrating oil.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/4

Next, using a ratchet, a 21mm socket and a 21mm wrench to prevent the bolt from rotating, unscrew the strut foot nuts.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/4

Before removing the bolts, it is necessary to support the wheel knuckle with a jack to prevent the wheel knuckle assembly from falling.

Chapter 8:

Step 4/4

Then remove the bolts. You can use a hammer to help you.

Chapter 9:

Remove the strut from the wheel knuckle

Step 1/2

Separate the strut foot from the wheel knuckle by prying it using a large screwdriver.

Chapter 9:

Step 1/2

The strut foot is now free.

Chapter 10:

Remove the strut

Step 1/3

Finish unscrewing the 3 bolts that hold the strut mount bearing in place.

Chapter 10:

Step 2/3

Hold the shock absorber with one hand and finish unscrewing the last retaining bolt with the other.

Chapter 10:

Step 3/3

The strut is now free. Remove the strut.

Chapter 11:

Install the new strut

Step 1/5

You can order the struts used in the video on Carparts.com via the link in the description.

Chapter 11:

Step 2/5

Unscrew the 3 bolts holding the strut mount bearing.

Chapter 11:

Step 3/5

Take your new strut.

Chapter 11:

Step 4/5

Insert the strut starting from the top part.

Chapter 11:

Step 5/5

Then loosely screw the 3 bolts back on so that there is enough slack for the next operations.

Chapter 12:

Reinstall the strut in the wheel knuckle

Step 1/6

Insert the wheel knuckle into the strut foot.

Chapter 12:

Step 2/6

Replace the bolts.

Chapter 12:

Step 3/6

Then screw the nuts back on, by hand at first.

Chapter 12:

Step 4/6

Screw the strut foot nuts back on until they make contact, using a ratchet, a 21mm socket, and a 21mm wrench to prevent the bolt from rotating.

Chapter 12:

Step 5/6

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 12:

Step 6/6

Remove the jack.

Chapter 13:

Reinstall the hoses

Step 1/3

Put the brake hose back in place.

Chapter 13:

Step 2/3

Then put the retaining clip back in place. You can use a hammer to help you.

Chapter 13:

Step 3/3

Replace the ABS sensor cable in its slots.

Chapter 14:

Put the outer tie rod back

Step 1/3

You can now put the sway bar end link back in place.

Chapter 14:

Step 2/3

Screw the nut of the upper ball joint of the sway bar end link back on.

Chapter 14:

Step 3/3

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 15:

Put the vehicle back on the ground

Step 1/3

Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.

Chapter 15:

Step 2/3

Put the car back on the ground and block the wheels properly.

Chapter 15:

Step 2/3

During this operation, you will be intervening on the front axle of your car, so it is advisable to perform a wheel alignment afterwards.

Chapter 16:

Tightening tips

Step 1/3

The final tightening of the three bolts holding the strut mount bearing is carried out once the vehicle is on the ground.

Chapter 16:

Step 2/3

Finish the tightening of the bolts with a torque wrench.

Chapter 16:

Step 3/3

Operation complete.