DIY: front strut removal and replacement

Straightforward job.

My car has 95000 miles on it, and I've hit a few things.

Video shows driver side but the passenger side is just the same.

For some reason, the passenger side is 1,000x more difficult.

Hey I know this is an old thread but how did you manage to remove the passenger side strut?

Raymond said:

Hey I know this is an old thread but how did you manage to remove the passenger side strut?

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I had to rotate the flange that connects to the stabilizer link.
Once I figured that out, I've done all type of strut work: like replacing the rubber seats.

Raymond said:

Hey I know this is an old thread but how did you manage to remove the passenger side strut?

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there's a guide slot on the lower part of the shock absorber, the bolt will not push through and seat correctly if everything is not lined up

nickname said:

I had to rotate the flange that connects to the stabilizer link.
Once I figured that out, I've done all type of strut work: like replacing the rubber seats.

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Thanks but I can’t seem to figure it out. What flange? I know that the cv axle hits the stabilizer bar when you push down the knuckle to try to release the strut and there’s just not enough space to do so

Raymond said:

Thanks but I can’t seem to figure it out. What flange? I know that the cv axle hits the stabilizer bar when you push down the knuckle to try to release the strut and there’s just not enough space to do so

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and tbh, I lengthened the tie rod all the way out to finish the job
but I realized I can simply hit that flange with a hammer and it will move
allowing me to get everything aligned

nickname said:

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So rotating this will allow you to dismount the strut from the knuckle?

Raymond said:

So rotating this will allow you to dismount the strut from the knuckle?

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No, it will allow you to align the guide on the lower part of the strut so the bolt will go thru the knuckle correctly, and put the stabilizer link on.
To remove the knuckle, take out that bolt then hit the top of the knuckle with a hammer as shown in the video