The suspension on your automobile controls the handling of your vehicle. It also acts as a damper from the road vibration. The ride height of your vehicle generally goes hand in hand with the stiffness of the ride and the amount of damper provided. A higher ride height is generally associated with a smoother, more comfortable ride at a cost of decreased handling. A lower ride height is generally associated with a stiffer, harsher, ride with better handling. This is because when you lower your suspension, you're lowering your vehicle's center of gravity.
Loosen the wheel lug nuts by turning them counterclockwise 1/4 turn with a tire wrench.
Place the floor jack under the front of the vehicle and jack up on the front jack point. This is an extension of the frame located near the radiator.
Place the jack stands under the front pinch welds. These are located directly under the driver and passenger side doors under the vehicle. Then, lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
Place the floor jack under the lower control arm and jack up on it just enough to remove the load from the upper mounting nuts on the struts.
Finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheels.
Detach the brake hose from the bracket on the strut. To do this use a socket wrench to remove the brake hose mounting bolts by turning them counterclockwise.
Remove the steering knuckle pinch bolt using a socket wrench. This bolt is located at the base of the strut.
Lower the jack slowly. This will detach the strut from the steering knuckle.
Unbolt the strut mounting nuts and washers from the top of the strut tower (under the hood) and guide the strut assembly out of the wheel well.
Insert the new strut assembly. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Repeat steps 4 to 10 for all other strut assemblies. When replacing the rear strut assemblies, you need only unbolt the lower control arm from the bottom of the strut as there is no steering knuckle in the rear. The strut tower for rear struts is located inside the trunk area over the wheel well.
