How to change front struts on a 2003 Rendevous

Question edited for clarity, MAKER.
Question moved to model category.

Torque spec question : 2000-2005 (other than GXP)

http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com > topic52656
Jul 4, 2020 · 4 posts · 3 authors
Stabilizer bar link nut 13 ft.lbs. Strut mount nut 55 ft.lbs. Strut mount to body 35 ft.lbs. Strut to knuckle 135 ft. lbs.
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2004 bonneville se: steering..torque specs for tie rod..strut..bolts

https://www.justanswer.com > ... > Pontiac Problems
Jun 22, 2010 - lbs.) Strut Mount to Body Nut, 47 Nm (35 ft. lbs.) Strut to Knuckle Nut, 147 Nm (108 ft.
1 answer · Top answer: Tie Rod Inner to Gear 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.)Tie Rod (Front) Lock Nut 64 Nm

https://eautorepair.net/Marketing/Default.asp

RTM?

The struts model (MacPherson Strut),are both in front and back of this car.
2000 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Rear, Driver Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly. $72
2000 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Rear, Passenger Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $68
1996 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Front, Driver Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $67
1996 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Front, Passenger Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $63
Of course this is only the cartridge, you have to transfer the spring, and the top mount of the existing strut. You need a pair of coil spring compressor to do the job. The basic procedure to replace a strut is:
Remove the top nuts that secure the strut assembly to the frame mount inside the engine compartment. Do not remove the center nut.
Mark the lower strut mounting location on the hub for installation reference. The alignment will be close if the new strut is installed in the same position.
Remove the bolts that hold the strut assembly to the hub.
Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
Mark the top mount for installation reference. Using a side mounted spring compressor, compress the spring and remove the top nut and retaining washer. Pull strut assembly out from the bottom of spring.
Slide the new strut assembly up into the spring and reposition the top mount onto the spring in the same position that it was removed. Install the retaining washer and top nut.
Tighten the top nut to the manufacturer's specifications and carefully remove the spring compressor.
Place the strut assembly back into the vehicle.

REMOVE**** FRONT SHOCKS, FIRST OF ALL.SUPPORT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WITH A JACK,REMOVE FRONT WHEEL, REMOVE BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS TO THE STRUT BOLTS OR CLIPS,REMOVE ACTUATOR FROM TOP OF THE STRUT,IF EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING SUSPENSION. PAINT ALIGNMENT MARKS ON THE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING BLOCK AND STRUT TOWER AND ON THE LOWER STRUT MOUNT TO STEERING KNUCKLE SO THAT CAN BE REINSTALLED IN THE SAME POSITION. REMOVE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING NUTS, REMOVE THE STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS,REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT INTO THE STRUT TOWER ALIGNING THE PAINT MARKS MADE DURING REMOVAL.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 34 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS. INSTALL ACTUATOR AND ENGAGE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IF EQUIPPED WITH AAS. INSTALL BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS CLIPS OR BOLTS.INSTALL WHEEL AND CHECK ADJUST THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. TO ( REPLACE REAR SHOCKS ) REMOVE REAR WHEELS, REMOVE REAR PACKAGE TRIM. REMOVE SPEED SENSOR HARNESS, REMOVE TOP STRUT NUTS,THE SUSPENSION WILL DROP WHEN THE WEIGHT LIFTS OFF THE WHEELS. REMOVE BOTTOM STRUT BOLTS.REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT ASSEMBLY, INSTALL BOTTOM STRUT MOUNT BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 33 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL SPEED SENSOR HARNESS.INSTALL REAR PACKAGE TRIM. INSTALL REAR WHEELS.

• remove wheel
• undo top and bottom strut bolts...3 in the engine bay and two at the wheel end.
• remove strut

Raise and support the car safely and remove the front wheels. Undo the clip holding the brake line to the strut. Loosen the bolts holding the strut to the steering knuckle. Before removing them, remove the strut mount tower bolts under the hood. Then remove the other bolts, the entire strut assembly will slide out. You can either install a complete new strut and spring assembly (more expensive), or you can use a coil spring compressor to remove the spring from the old strut and install it on a new strut (less expensive but a lot more work, and you must have access to a spring compressor). Make sure when installing the spring that it is aligned correctly on the new strut. Also, you should replace the strut mounts with new ones. Be aware that a compressed spring is very dangerous, so be sure to follow the instructions for the spring compressor. Re-install the strut assembly. Make sure that the knuckle bolts and strut mount bolts are torqued to spec.

well the rear are easy take the wheel off,,,put a jack under the rear axle on the side you are doing and put tension on the jack to jack it up alittle,remove the 21mm lower shock bolt and the 18mm top shock bolt and release the jack,then remove shock and reinstall new,,,they are easy do the same fo rthe other side and then go to the front,,,take off wheel,,, no jacking up required for front struts,,,remove the two 18mm nuts and bolts that connect the strut to hub and then 18mm nut the holds the sway bar end link to strut,,may may need a vise grip on the back side of the end link to hold it from spinning as they rust fast,then open the hood and hold the strut with one hand thru the wheel well and take the top strut mount nut off under the hood 18mm,watch because the strut will fall in the wheel well so hold it,i would advise using a air gun to do this all other wise youre gonna have a hard time to remove the sway bar end link nuts

lift and safely support vehicle (jack stands),remove wheel and tire assemblies, remove strut to knuckle bolts (two bolts and nuts located directly above the brake rotor very tight),then under the hood you will locate the top strut mount nuts and remove them(you may need to remove wiper linkage to do this) when you are ready to remove the last nut have an assistant hold the strut so it doesn't fall take the strut to a machine shop to get the cartridge changed (most napa stores are also machine shops go to napa online to find the one near you)
installation is the reverse of removal some cars require alignment after strut change torque specs are as follows strut to knuckle bolts 90-120 ftlbs upper mount nuts 40-60 ftlbs wheels 100 ftlbs

Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the tire/wheel assembly.
Remove any brackets or sway bar endlinks that may be attached to the strut.
Remove upper strut mount bolts (NOT THE BIG ONE IN THE CENTER) Should be three bolts.
Remove two strut to knuckle bolts and remove the strut.
Using an external spring compressor tool compress the spring. FOLLOW THE TOOL MANUFACTURES INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. COIL SPRINGS HOLD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL ENERGY AND CAN CAUSE VERY SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE IF THE TOOL IS USED INCORRECTLY.
Remove the top nut of the strut.
Remove the spring noting how the strut mount and other parts are oriented.
Remove the spring compressor.
Compress the new spring and install the new spring with the strut mount and other parts in the same orientation as it was removed.
Reinstall the top nut.
The rest is opposite of removal.

Hi there!

Awkward rather than difficult I would say.

You need Axle stands, & spring compressors, & a bar & chain, as well as usual ratchets and spanners .

Method -

Jack & support on stands. Remove roadwheel, Remove lower strut bolt, Remove bottom wishbone balljoint from hub assembly. Remove top strut mountings. Use spring compressors. Use bar & chain to lover wishbone, remove strut.

Refit new strut - Use now lower bolt& nut. Refit wishbone bottom balljoint Remove spring compressors & bolt up.

The hard part is manouvering the strut with one leg keeping the wishbone out of the way. - and refitting the balljoint straight.

If this assists you, please take a moment to rate as Fixya!