How To Replace Front Struts 90-99 Buick Lesabre
Difficulty: Advanced · About 90 min · Buick Lesabre
Replace the front struts on a 1990-1999 Buick LeSabre.
Tools you will need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Ratchet
- 10mm socket
- 13mm socket
- 19mm socket
- 21mm socket
- 24mm socket
- Pry bar
- Penetrating oil
- Torque wrench
Parts and supplies
- Front strut assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the lug nuts, then raise and support the car and pull the wheel.
- Disconnect the bottom of the strut
Unbolt the ABS sensor's single 10mm bolt from the strut, soak the two lower through-bolts in penetrating oil, then remove them with a 24mm and 21mm socket and breaker bar, prying the spindle free of the strut with a pry bar once they're out.
- Disconnect the top of the strut
Prop the hood, soak the three top mounting nuts in penetrating oil, remove them with a 13mm socket, then pull the strut down and out through the wheel well.
- Install the new strut
Work the new strut up into place, hand-thread the three top 13mm nuts, bolt the bottom into the steering knuckle, torque the lower bolts to about 120 ft-lb and the top nuts to about 20-25 ft-lb, then reattach the ABS sensor.
- Reinstall the wheel
Hand-tighten the lug nuts, lower the car, then torque them to about 100 ft-lb in a star pattern.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.