How do you install struts? - 1999 Buick Century

Removal:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle with jackstands.
3. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.
4. Scribe the strut-to-knuckle for proper installation.
5. If equipped, remove the auxiliary spring, as outlined in this section.
6. Remove the jack pad.
7. Install rear leaf spring compressor tool J-35778, or equivalent. Refer to the Transverse Spring Assembly procedures in this section for installation details.
8. Fully compress the spring, but do NOT remove the retention plates or the spring.
9. Unfasten the two strut-to-body bolts.
10. Remove the brake hose bracket from the strut.
11. Remove the strut and auxiliary spring upper bracket from the knuckle.

To install:

1. Position the strut to the body and knuckle bracket.
2. Install the strut-to-body bolts and tighten to 34 ft. lbs. (46 Nm).
3. Install the strut to the knuckle, aligning the scribe marks and tighten the bolts to 133 ft. lbs. (180 Nm) for 1988-94 vehicles. For 1995-96 vehicles, tighten the bolts to 122 ft. lbs. (165 Nm).
4. Install the brake hose bracket.
5. Remove the spring compressing tool.
6. Install the jack pad and tighten the retaining bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
7. If equipped, install the auxiliary spring.
8. Install the wheel and tire assembly and install the lug nuts finger-tighten
9. Carefully lower the vehicle, then tighten the lug nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
10. Connect the negative battery cable.

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.

Here are the instruction on how to replace your control arm bushing. please not that there is a special tool needed that you will need to get from you auto parts retailer. you can usually rent these tools.

1. 1. Turn the control arm over in the arbor press, then position the arm so that it is supported by the receiver tool MB-990799 as shown.
2. Position the new bushing into the control arm so it is square with the bushing hole. Position the installer tool MB-6644-1 or equivalent on top of the bushing, with the bushing setting in the recessed area of the installer tool. Press the bushing into the control arm.
   
3. Press the control arm bushing into the control arm until the installer tool squarely bottoms against the surface of the control arm. When the installer tool squarely bottoms on the control arm, the bushing is installed in the arm in the correct position.
   
4. Install the tension strut into the strut bushing in the control arm. Position the tension strut in the control arm with the word FRONT stamped in the tension strut positioned away from the control arm. With an open end wrench on the flat of the tension strut to stop the tension strut from turning. Tighten the NEW tension strut-to-control arm retaining nut to 110 ft. lbs. (150 Nm).
   
5. Install the lower control arm and tension strut back onto the vehicle. Refer to the Lower Control Arm procedure earlier in this section.
   

Control Arm-to-Tension Strut Bushing
To replace the control arm tension strut bushing, the control arm and tension strut assembly must be removed. The removal of the bushing requires the use of an arbor press.

1. Thoroughly lubricate the replacement tension strut bushing, control arm and installer tool 6644-3 or equivalent with a silicone lubricant.
   
2. By hand, install the tension strut bushing into the large end of the installer tool. Press the bushing into the installer tool as far as it will go by hand.
   
3. Position the control arm in the arbor press so that the tension strut hole in the control arm is centered on the receiver tool MB-990799 or equivalent. Position the installer tool with the previously installed bushing, inside of the tension strut bushing hole in the control arm. Position the installer tool on top of the tension strut bushing. Using the arbor press, press the tension strut bushing into the control arm. As the bushing is being pressed into the arm, a pop will be heard. When the pop is heard, the installer tool will slightly move up off the control arm. At this time remove the control arm assembly from the press and pull the tool MB-6644-3 off of the tension strut bushing in the control arm.
   

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.

Raise the car and remove the wheels. Loosen the bolts holding the strut to the steering knuckle. Before removing them, remove the strut mount 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 one (less expensive but you must have access to a spring compressor). Make sure when installing the spring that it is aligned correctly on the new strut. A compressed spring is very dangerous, be sure to follow the instructions with the spring compressor. Re-install the strut assembly. Make sure that the knuckle bolts are torqued to spec.

you will need to set the car on jack stands, then remove the tires, then remove the bottom strut mount bolts, pop the trunk, and the top mount bolts should be easily accessible remove them also, then you will need strut spring compressors, compress spring, remove top retaining nut, then remove old strut install new strut tighten retaining nut release springs and install back on vehicle.

1. Remove the strut assembly.
   CAUTION Do not attempt to remove the coil spring from the strut without first compressing the coil spring with the appropriate tool.
   
2. Install a suitable spring compressor to the coil spring and compress the spring until the spring tension is relieved from the spring seat.
3. Remove the thrust bearing retainer nut.
4. Remove the thrust bearing, spring seat and dust shield.
5. Remove the coil spring from the strut.
6. Remove the jounce bumper from the strut.
7. Replace the coil spring or the strut as needed.

To install:

1. Reinstall the jounce bumper to the strut.
2. Position the coil spring to the strut.
3. Compress the coil spring if removed from the spring compressor.
4. Reinstall the dust shield, spring seat and thrust bearing.
5. The coil spring must seat in the notch of the spring seat.
6. Reinstall the thrust bearing retainer nut. Tighten the nut to 44 ft. lbs. (59 Nm).
7. Install the strut assembly into the
   

you will need a strut spring compressor which cost about 50 bucks

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
   
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Unfasten the retainer(s), then remove the hydraulic flex hose bracket from the strut bracket. If equipped with ABS, the wheel speed sensor cable routing clip is also attached to the strut assembly bracket.

1. Support the rear knuckle, suspension and brake components before removing the clevis bracket-to-knuckle attaching bolts. Do NOT allow the weight of the knuckle and related components hang without support when the strut is removed.


WARNING The knuckle-to-strut attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned during removal. Remove the nuts while holding the bolts stationary in the knuckle.

1. Hold the bolt with a wrench, then unfasten the 2 clevis bracket nuts attaching the strut to the knuckle.

Fig. Fig. 2: Location of the knuckle-to-clevis bracket bolts

1. Carefully lower the vehicle, then open the trunk. Access to the rear upper strut mount-to-strut tower attaching bolts is through the trunk of the car.
2. If necessary, remove the carpet from the top of the strut tower. Then, remove the rubber dust shield from the top of the strut tower for easier access to the upper strut nuts.

1. Loosen, but do not remove the 4 upper strut mounting nuts. Then, while supporting the strut assembly, fully remove the 4 strut mount attaching nuts.

1. Remove the strut assembly from the knuckle by sliding the knuckle out of the clevis bracket on the strut, then remove it from the vehicle.

Carefully pull the strut assembly out of the vehicle
To install:

1. Position the strut back into the vehicle with the 4 studs on the strut mount assembly through holes in the strut tower of the vehicle. Install the 4 strut mount-to-body attaching nuts onto the mount studs. Tighten the nuts to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).
2. Install the dust shield into the opening on top of the strut tower. Install the carpeting back on top of the rear strut tower.
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
4. Install the knuckle into the clevis bracket on the strut assembly. Install the 2 clevis bracket-to-knuckle attaching bolts and nuts. Hold the bolts with a wrench while tightening the nuts to 70 ft. lbs. (95 Nm).
5. Install the brake hose bracket to the strut bracket and secure with the retaining bolts. If equipped with ABS, the wheel speed sensor cable routing clip is also attached to the strut bracket.
6. Install the wheel and tire assembly on the vehicle. Tighten the lug nuts evenly, in sequence, to 100 ft. lbs. (135 Nm).
7. Carefully lower the vehicle.
8. Have the toe checked and adjusted as necessary.

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   • Spring seat. Tighten the new upper strut retaining nut to 36 ft. lbs. (49 Nm).
     
2. Remove the strut from the vise and disassemble the securing nuts and bolt.
   
3. Rotate the upper support so the lowest bolt on the support aligns with the projection part of the lower spring.
   

1. Install or connect the following:
2. Strut and tighten the strut to body bolts to 59 ft. lbs. (80 Nm).
   

• Strut to the steering knuckle and tighten the bolts to 156 ft. lbs. (211 Nm).
  

To install:

1. Install the lower ball joint onto the steering knuckle and tighten nut to 90 ft. lbs. (123 Nm). Install new cotter pin.