Front struts need replacing

[marioc89]

I need new front struts and would like to know the best place to get them from that's competitive with prices and quality. What came on them from the factory? Are they easy to install? What's the best approach to replacing them?

[Towncivilian]

I purchased KYB GR-2 (since renamed to Excel-G) struts from Amazon, who had the cheapest price due to free shipping (even compared to RockAuto after their 5% discount code). KYB is the original manufacturer of the struts and shocks on our vehicles. You should replace the front strut mounts and bearings as well, but don't use KYB parts in this case as many people have had trouble with them. I used Raybestos and they have been fine, but OEM wouldn't be that much more. You'll also want replacement upper & lower nuts. I'll give you a link soon to a parts guy in Texas that can give you the best prices for any OEM parts. I had a shop install the new front suspension components.

I used KYB Gas-A-Just shocks for the rear. Easy to DIY and relatively inexpensive. You should replace the upper & lower mounting nuts for these too.

[marioc89]

That'll be awesome! Is he here in Houston?

[Towncivilian]

He's in Dallas/Plano. You can give Rob a call at 1-866-742-0297. Have your VIN ready. I don't think you'll need more than the following:

Strut mounts and bearings
Upper and lower strut mount nuts (factory service manual recommends replacement if removed)
Center strut mount nuts (factory service manual recommends replacement if removed)

If you're replacing the rear shocks too (highly recommended), ask for the upper and lower mounting nuts as well.

KYB's Online Parts Catalog should tell you what front struts & rear shocks you'll need to buy from Amazon.

Rear shocks are easy to do as long as you have a jack and some jack stands and maybe a helper. Basically you have to jack up the vehicle, unbolt the old strut, remove it, bolt in the new strut at the lower mounting point (be sure you didn't cut the retaining strap yet), align it with the upper eyelet, cut the strap and hopefully it'll go right into place and you can bolt it in. Torque specs are in the factory service manual.

I opted for a shop to do my front struts because I don't want to deal with spring compressors. Should it fail and a spring fly away it can be deadly.

[marioc89]

If I let a shop install them do I tell them to replace the necessary nuts as well or will they know already?

[Towncivilian]

As long as you include the nuts with the rest of the hardware, they should figure it out. Leave the nuts in the Nissan bags they will arrive in and they'll almost certainly understand.

[marioc89]

Ok. Great!

[jfm07]

I'd replace the front springs, too. One of them failed on my 2001 Pathfinder (the other one is not far behind). Installed new Monroe struts not too long ago and the truck has 120K total miles.

[blkqx4]

Looks like someone needs to do the strut tower recall

[marioc89]

It also looks like it snows where you're from as well, hence the rusted under bottom and springs.

[Tacticalsaint]

Has anyone used the

Gabriel G57037 and G57038 Ready Mount Complete Strut Assembly?

Looks easy and ready to swap no piecing together parts and messing with springs.
For the price and cost of aggravation looks like a great deal.
Anyone have any experience with these?

[Slumpert]

I bought and installed the gabriel ready mounts on my 97 pathy.

Ran into a stuck nut on one side that was crazy. Stuck bolt on the other side that was bit less crazy. Otherwisw it was very straight forward except getting good angle on drives side top nuts.

When say crazy. I am talking pro grade air wrench not budging. And cracking non impact sockets as well as shearing socket extensions on the swaybar nut. Fun times. I would rank this work as possibly very agravating to DIY without jackstands, breaker bars, and quality tools

[Slumpert]

I gave good notes on this post
replacing-strut-assembly-t573988.html

[atraudes]

I'd replace the front springs, too. One of them failed on my 2001 Pathfinder (the other one is not far behind). Installed new Monroe struts not too long ago and the truck has 120K total miles.

Where did you get replacement springs? I'd like to replace them when I do my shocks/struts, but I haven't had much luck finding places that sell them. 4x4 sells lifting springs, but if I opt for a lift, I don't want to do it that way.

[atraudes]

To answer my own question, I found that for my 01 QX4, Moog sells front and rear springs! Model 81302 for the front ($90 on Amazon for the pair), and 81115 for the rear ($40 on Amazon for the pair)

[greengumby]

To answer my own question, I found that for my 01 QX4, Moog sells front and rear springs! Model 81302 for the front ($90 on Amazon for the pair), and 81115 for the rear ($40 on Amazon for the pair)

Dang good find i was looking on rockauto for prices .... i'm also looking to replace the springs.