How to Replace the Strut Mount for a 2002 Toyota Corolla

Most novice mechanics should be able to change a strut mount themselves. The task takes about two hours per mount, depending on the level of experience of the installer. Replacing the strut mount on the front strut is a slightly different procedure than replacing the mount on the rear strut. Replace a faulty strut mount at the first sign of failure or abnormal noise.

Things You'll Need

• Vehicle jack
• Jack stands
• Socket set
• Wrench set
• Marker
• Hammer
• Spring compressors
• Torque wrench

Instructions

1. Life the front or rear of the car with an automotive jack and slide jack stands under the frame rails to secure the vehicle while replacing the strut mount.

2. Loosen and remove the lug nuts with a socket wrench. Slide the wheel from the lug nut studs and remove it from the vehicle.

3. Detach the speed sensor bracket and brake hose bracket from the bottom of the strut. Remove the mounting bolts holding the two brackets in place with a socket wrench.

4. Mark the bottom of the steering knuckle at the outer edge of the front strut with a marker to ensure they are installed at the same position. Remove the two bolts holding the steering knuckle to bottom of the front strut, placing a socket wrench on one end of the bolt and a wrench on the nut on the opposite end of the bolt. After removing the nuts, tap the bolts through the mounting hole with a hammer. Pull the front strut away from the steering knuckle to separate it. This step is only required if you are changing the front strut mount.

5. Remove the upper nut from the stabilizer bar, which attaches the bar to the rear strut, with a wrench. Remove the two bolts holding the axle to bottom of the rear strut, placing a socket wrench on one end of the bolt and a wrench on the nut on the opposite end of the bolt. After removing the nuts, tap the bolts through the mounting hole with a hammer. This step is only required if you are changing the rear strut mount.

6. Unscrew the three retaining bolts at the top of the strut with a socket wrench. These nuts are located on the end of the retaining studs that travel through the body. They are accessed in the engine compartment on the front and in the trunk in the rear. Lower the strut from the body, guiding the mounting nuts atop the strut through the body and remove it from the vehicle.

7. Attach spring compressors to each side of the coil spring. Rotate the spring compressor clockwise with a socket wrench to tighten the compressor. Tighten the compressor on each side of the spring equally, until the top of the spring is no longer touching the upper insulator on the strut.

8. Unscrew the damper nut on the top of the strut with a socket wrench. Pull the strut mount off of the top of the shaft. Place the new strut mount onto the shaft. Install the damper nut with a torque wrench. Tighten the nut to 34 foot-pounds on the rear and front struts.

9. Loosen the spring compressors by rotating them counterclockwise with a socket wrench. Ensure the top of the coil spring is seated onto the top spring seat on the strut before completely removing the spring compressors.

10. Guide the mounting studs on the top of the strut through the body. Install the retaining nuts on the studs, only finger-tightening the nuts to hold the top of the strut in place.

11. Guide the rear strut into the axle. Place the two bolts through the mounting holes on the strut and place a nut on the other end of the bolt. Place a wrench on one end of the bolt and a torque wrench on the other. Tighten the two bolts to 105 foot-pounds. Attach the stabilizer bar to the strut, using a torque wrench to tighten the nut attaching the stabilizer bar to the strut. Tighten the nut to 33 foot-pounds. This step is only required if you are changing the rear strut mount.

12. Guide the bottom of the front strut into the steering knuckle. Use the guide previously made on the steering knuckle to align the strut. Place the two bolts through the mounting holes on the strut and place a nut on the other end of the bolt. Place a wrench on one end of the bolt and a torque wrench on the other. Tighten the two bolts to 203 foot-pounds. This step is only required if you are changing the front strut mount.

13. Tighten the three nuts on the top of the strut with a torque wrench. Tighten the nuts on the front strut and rear strut to 29 foot-pounds.

14. Attach the speed sensor bracket and brake hose bracket to the bottom of the strut. Install the mounting bolts holding the two brackets in place with a socket wrench.

15. Slide the wheel over the lug nut studs and install the lug nuts with a torque wrench, tightening each nut to 76 foot-pounds.

16. Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Lower the vehicle using the automotive jack.

References

• "Toyota Corolla 1993 thru 2002 (Haynes Repair Manual)"; John H. Haynes and Jay Storer; 2002