changing out the struts?

[Pathfinder995]

My Pathfinder still rides hard in that it takes bumps pretty rough...I've had it since November. I already took off some cheap set of Monroe Sensatracs which were way too stiff and put on KYB GR2 shocks in the back - definitely helped but now I'm convinced I need to remove whatever struts the previous owner put on (not KYBs) and put some GR2s on the front.

Question: how hard is this to do? Do I even bother trying or should I pay somebody? I have done a lot of maintenance on the Pathy so I'm somewhat savvy...

Also, is there anything else I should be sure and chance when I do the struts (like some kind of bushings or anything?)

-J

[Empty V]

I changed the struts on my 01 2WD QX4 a few weeks ago and it wasn't too bad. The first one took about four hours, the 2nd one only took about 30min. The reason why the first one took so long was because we were trying to compress the springs with the spring compresson instead of letting it do the work on it's own. Another thing to watch is the threaded stud that goes up int the engine compartment, it's slotted so you have to make sure that lines up. I'm not sure if your struts are the same as mine, does anyone know?

Billy

[Issac]

Hi Empty,I will be doing this for the fronts, and was wondering if you could elaborate a bit on "letting it do the work on its own".I like the idea of 30 minutes over 4 hrs and would appreciate any help more you can give on advice. Thanks

[djaquette]

Isaac,

Did you ever do the struts on your vehicle? And did you figure out what the guy meant by "letting the tool do the work?" Getting ready to do my struts and am looking for tips and advice.

[jhong1226]

Another option is to buy a " Quickstrut " Assembly. It will cost a lot more than just a strut but it will be easier and faster to put on. It comes with the strut, mounts, spring and boot and bushings all assembled together, ready to mount out of the box.
Also be very careful when using the strut compressor tool especialy when its holding the spring compressed.

[Mischi]

I just got all of the parts my mechanic recommended. I got a pair of the KYBs, bearings, top plates and bellows (boots). I called a few local places to get a quote on changing the struts (labor only) because my mechanic is swamped right now. Pep Boys came in at $81 to swap the asm,take out the old strut and put the new in and I would have to remove and replace the asm on the car. They wanted $192 if I brought the car in and had them do the whole thing. I'm going to rent a spring compressor and do it myself this weekend. I'm a little concerned about compressing the springs but if some of the yahoos on youtube can do it, so can I.

[Mischi]

Just an FYI. I did my struts yesterday and it took me most of the day. Wasn't too bad, best part was Autozone will loan you the spring compressor. I found that out last minute before I bought one. Good luck with yours.

[ARKQX33V6]

pathfinder995
you will need ratchet, extentions and air operated impact wrench and spring compressor.
Loosen the 3 tower bolts on the fender both sides, do not touch the center nut
Jack up front of car
Use axle stands at the frame
Remove front wheels
Leave tie rods and lower ball joints alone
Clean off nuts and bolts at lower section of tower (2) use penetrating oil
Clean off strut stabilizer 1/2 way up tower, use penetrating oil, you may destroy this joint so buy a spare for each side, remove joint at sway bar at the very least.
Put hydraulic jack at lower ball joint
With all 3 bolts removed at top of tower, all 2 bolts at botton removed, and stabilizer removed, lower jack at ball joint, strut with non compressed spring will come out
Turn wheel to lock position and remove strut.
Put strut in a vice horizontally with spring fully out.
Mark strut spring position and bearing top position and mark 1 of the very top bolts to the fender so you know where that bolt lines up and all 3 will line up when placing back on car.
Do not touch center nut until spring is compressed.
With everything marked now install spring compressor opposite each other and hand turn to tighten down spring until the top mounting plate and bearing are at least down to the rod threaded area and the plate and mounting plate are able to be moved by hand.
Remove center nut, careful the bearing and mounting plate will move easy. If you use air tools enough torque is generated to remove nut without holding the center rod.
Disassemble the top mount and bearing, remove spring from lower mount, be sure marks are on spring and both mounts upper and lower.
Clean spring, remount to new strut, that is marked as old strut
Install new bound cover
Install existing or new mount top and bearing.
Align everything and tighten center bolt to nut, make sure all is aligned
Remove compressors
Remove strut from vice
Place new strut into bracket and align and install the lower bolts and nuts, snug them up
Align top mount to holes in fender.
Use an hydraulic jack at lower ball joints to raise assembly and line up the bolts to the holes.
If further twisting of the mount is needed use a socket , extension and ratchet at the fender turn the ratchet in the direction you need to get the 3 bolts to match the holes.
Jack up the hydraulic jack to lift the wheel assembly and the stru attached.
When all 3 bolts are through the fender place nuts on, raise jack the snug bolts.
Snug the 2 lower bolts
Attach the stabilizer link, keep the rod assembly flush
All things snug and placed right, send them all home.
Do both sides
Drop car
With car on floor tighten all to spec
Test drive

[Reviresco]

Not a hard job to do. My only recommendation is to take the new struts with your springs to a wheel shop and pay them the money to compress the springs using their machine. I rented one of those cheap do-it-yourself spring compressors and NO DICE. Took more time attempting to do that than actually change out the struts. I ended up taking mine in to be put on the strut.