Operating a vehicle with a worn, damaged, or incorrectly-operating strut assembly can quickly damage other major suspension components. They should be immediately changed to avoid any larger problems and extensive repairs. The struts and shocks on a 2002 Saturn can be changed by most backyard mechanics, however, some experience is useful when removing and installed the assembly from the vehicle. All four shocks and struts can be replaced in a few hours.
Slide the vehicle jack under the front of the vehicle, lift the vehicle up and place jack stands under the vehicle to secure it.
Remove the lug nuts and slide the wheel off of the wheel studs for the side you will be working on.
Drill out the metal rivet holding the ABS speed sensor bracket to the bottom of the strut using a drill and 1/4-inch drill bit. Remove the mounting bolt on the ABS speed sensor bracket with a socket wrench and pull the bracket from the strut.
Remove the nuts/bolts holding the strut to the steering knuckle with a socket wrench. Pull the strut from the steering knuckle.
Remove the three retaining nuts on top of the strut with a socket wrench will support the strut below. The three screws are located inside the engine compartment near the fender. Pull the strut assembly from the vehicle.
Place a spring compressor on each side of the spring and tighten them with a socket wrench to depress the spring.
Remove the damper shaft nut, located on top of the strut assembly, with a socket wrench.
Lift the rubber suspension support, washer and spring seat from the top of the strut. Slide the spring off of the strut.
Slide the spring onto the new strut, seating the bottom of the spring into the recess on the bottom of the new strut.
Place the spring seat, washer and rubber suspension support over the top of the new strut.
Install the damper shaft nut with a torque wrench. Tighten it to 37 foot-pounds.
Loosen the spring compressor with a socket wrench, slowly expanding the spring until its seated against the top seat. Remove the spring compressors from the springs.
Guide the studs on top of the strut through the holes on the fender and into the engine compartment. Slide the bottom of the strut assembly into the steering knuckle.
Support the strut from below and install the three mounting nuts on top of the strut with a torque wrench. Tighten them to 21 foot-pounds.
Install the bolts/nuts holding the strut to the steering knuckle with a torque wrench. Tighten the bolts/nuts to 126 foot-pounds.
Attach the ABS speed sensor to the bracket and install the mounting bolt with a socket wrench. Install a self-tapping metal screw with a drill where the metal rivet was previously removed.
Slide the wheel over the wheel studs and tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench. Tighten each lug nut to 100 foot-pounds.
Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
Slide the vehicle jack under the rear of the vehicle, lift the vehicle up and place jack stands under the vehicle to secure it.
Remove the lug nuts and slide the wheel off of the wheel studs.
Remove the rear seat cushion bottom mounting bolts under the seat with a socket wrench. Pull the rocker panel and sail panel away from the cargo tray near the rear of the interior. Remove the screws holding the cargo tray in place with a screwdriver. This step is only for coupe models.
Pull the c-pillar molding from the c-pillar. Fold down the rear seat and pull the molding on the side of the seat away from the body. Remove the screws holding the cargo tray cover in place with a screwdriver. This step is only for sedan models.
Remove the screws holding the speaker grilles in place with a screwdriver and pull the speaker grilles from the cargo tray cover.
Pull the seat belt trim from the cargo tray cover and separate the seat belt from the cargo tray cover. Pull the cargo tray cover and carpet from the vehicle.
Remove the three retaining nuts on top of the strut assembly, previously located under the cargo tray cover, with a socket wrench.
Remove the nuts/bolts holding the strut to the rear suspension knuckle with a socket wrench. Pull the strut from the suspension knuckle and remove it from the vehicle.
Place a spring compressor on each side of the spring and tighten them with a socket wrench to depress the spring.
Remove the damper shaft nut, located on top of the strut assembly, with a socket wrench.
Lift the rubber suspension support, washer and spring seat from the top of the strut. Slide the spring off of the strut.
Slide the spring onto the new strut, seating the bottom of the spring into the recess on the bottom of the new strut.
Place the spring seat, washer and rubber suspension support over the top of the new strut.
Install the damper shaft nut with a torque wrench. Tighten it to 37 foot-pounds.
Loosen the spring compressor with a socket wrench, slowly expanding the spring until its seated against the top seat. Remove the spring compressors from the springs.
Guide the studs on top of the strut through the holes on the cargo tray. Slide the bottom of the strut assembly into the steering knuckle.
Support the strut from below and install the three mounting nuts on top of the strut with a torque wrench. Tighten them to 21 foot-pounds.
Install the bolts/nuts holding the strut to the steering knuckle with a torque wrench. Tighten the bolts/nuts to 126 foot-pounds.
Place the cargo tray cover and carpet over the cargo tray. Place the seat belt trim back into the cover and guide the seat belt through the seat belt trim piece.
Place the speaker grilles over the speakers and install the retaining screws with a screwdriver.
Replace the screws holding the cargo tray cover in place with a screwdriver. Push the molding on the side of the seat and c-pillar molding back into place. Unfold the rear set. This step is only for sedan models.
Replace the screws holding the cargo tray cover in place with a screwdriver. Push the rocker panel and sail panel trim pieces back onto the body. Replace the rear seat cushion and install the mounting bolts under the seat with a socket wrench.
Slide the wheel over the wheel studs and tighten the lug nuts with a torque wrench. Tighten each lug nut to 100 foot-pounds.
Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle with the vehicle jack.
