Needed, repair manual & all 4 struts.

Brake drum strut???

The only strut relating to the brakes I can think of is the strut between the brake shoes of the rear brakes that is an essential part of the parking brake mechanism. The strut is often a fixed length but also often a multipiece construction with a variable length in order to provide either manual or automatic adjustment of the brake shoes.

The last time I needed to replace a pair of these I discovered none were available from the aftermarket and I was forced to order from a dealer at rip-off prices. A breaker might offer an alternative but I suggest you visit a dealer first and take a look at the exploded diagrams they have so you identify the part you need and discover the correct name for it.

No need for a wheel alignement you didnot change the hight of the car

research shows around 2.9 -3.5 hrs so any quote that comes in say under 4 would be acceptable . Anything over then take it some where else.

yes you need a spring compressor for this job. you can go to most auto parts stores and rent a clamshell for very cheap. try pep boys or autozone.

I have KYB's on my 2000 Intrigue, they are not break the bank expensive and it handles great.

theres monroe and gabriel, KYB and I'm sure some other brands. shop around, the car will need a alignment after these are installed.

I personally like KYB. They're more of a performance strut and will retain the same handling and ride as the OEM struts. Pretty durable from my experience as well. If you're looking for a more "cushy" ride while sacrificing the handling a little, Monroe and Gabriel are both good second choices.

I would purchase a repair book, Haynes book at the local auto repair shop. There are to may details to go into. I would also try a site on the internet. Alldata.com. This is what the pro's use.

If your car has over 75K miles on and the struts are original, I'd have the struts replaced. As for the coil spring, you can probably find a repair manual at your local library. You can get loaner spring and strut compressor tools at most auto parts stores (loaners are free, just have to leave a deposit for the price of the tool).

Repair cost will vary from place to place, but I'd say coil and strut replacement is about 4-5 hours labor. I'd guess a $300-$450 for parts and labor (coil - $100, pair struts - $140)

Check Your Timing It Must Be Wrong.
you would be better off buying the Haynes or Chilton repair manuals to avoid mistakes.
If Not Done Correctly This Will Result In A Very Costly Mistake.