struts replacement parts?

[aquariustiger]

Base 1991 Nissan 240sx, automatic,no ABS

Looking to replace the two front struts on my vehicle.The cheaper the better.
Problem is that I'm not sure which are all the parts that I would have to buy, not to mention all that terminology they use. ....Shop was charging me for one basic strut $164.99.....Hell No!!!!
I've been shopping from this website because I've found it to be more affordable,but if you guys know a more affordable place please let me know + there giving me discount for a returning customer!
.....................rockauto.com..................
They have a pretty expandable selection.
Now I need somebody to please go there and pick the stuff that I need and post the list.
A mechanic will install them for $157.00 + aliment $80.00
I would do them myself but I'm pretty beat from replacing all four brake rotors,pads,caliper sliding pins with bushings and not to mention the dreaded two broken wheel nuts with your basic floor jack!
Please if any one can help I would really appreciate it a LOT

[Warped161]

KYB Part # 234051 More Information About this Part GR-2 / Excel-G Right
KYB Part # 234052 More Information About this Part GR-2 / Excel-G Left

[parasolution]

If your strut boots are worn, get new ones too, they're cheap, something like $8.00 at Rock Auto. I would also replace your strut mounts if they are the originals. I got mine at rock auto for around $25.

Easy job really, I rebuilt my front suspension myself, but had a machine shop compress the springs and install the new boot and mounts on my old KYB's. They did it for $40. I just had to remove them from the car and bring them the full strut assembly.

The hardest part is removing the nut/bolt from the spindle. Once that is done, then undo the brake line and remove the 3 nuts in the engine bay and slide the strut out of the wheel wheel. Installation is just the opposite. Then bring it in for an alignment.

[aquariustiger]

I was thinking about that, I'll take a few picks to let you guys pinpoint the exact ares that I have to get to.
Now part wise I'm almost there..Struts ..Check!

Before I continue I for got to mention what the mechanic noticed when he said I needed new struts.
He pointed at the surface of the front driver side tire...uneven thread and wear!I did not notice the same on the rest of the tires!
Around 60mph I hear thump,thump,thump,all the way!
So I took some picks so you guys can explain why exactly is this happening to the surface of the wheel.
I always go by this forum first before any other place.
Here there are...




WHATS THE DEAL????

[compactfean]

The un even wear you are showing is from the bad struts hands down. As long as you don't have any other worn bushings/ball joints/tie rods etc, id say replace the struts, tires, and get an alignment and you should be set. If money is an issue you can hold off on the tires.....they will some what start to even back out with the struts and alignment.

[aquariustiger]

Struts are bad...check!
save tire...check!

OK! then next thing is torquing.
I'll be using a torque wrench for the very first time and need some tips.
On the service manual it shows three sets of numbers.
I believe that the third set are the ones in lbs.
If so why two numbers separated by a dash.
Is the first number to tighten to that torque.
Then the second number to reset wrench, calibrate and finalize the torque.
Here are some pics of the manual and circled area in question.
Also a pic of the wrench set to 43 lbs...is this correct?



Another thing the( X ) icon next to the wrench symbol on the manual pic.
Book states that means to replace nuts, do I really have to or can i just reuse them again?

Oh! I'm using 1989 240sx manual and mi car is a 1991 240sx.
Is there an issue in this for replacing suspension stuff?

I'll be taking pics of other suspension stuff for you guys to take a look at.
For now thanks for the continuing advise..... any further feed back is well appreciate....till then!

[moso]

bonus points for using a torque wrench!!
circled torque setting on the left is for the strut to strut plate mounting nut
circled torque setting on the right is for the strut plate to strut tower mounting nuts ( 3 )
those nuts are supposed to be replaced, the new strut will come with a new nut. I reused my strut mounting plate to strut tower bolts.
When changing torque settings on your torque wrench first loosen the wrench then set the new torque value being careful not to overshoot.
Never back off to the desired value.
Never store your torque wrench set, always loosen it before storage
only apply pressure to the handle of your torque wrench, failing to do so will result in inaccurate torque settings.
Never use your torque wrench as a breaker bar
Use your torque wrench often, your supposed to