I have a 98 Trans AM and I have already bought two front struts for the car. But the problem is that everywere I go to have them put on its about $400 actually $340 was the lowest I found but still thats alot of money for two things, call me a cheap ***. Is there anything I could do myself or does anyone know something about this that I dont, any advice will help

 

The two shocks are easy to do with a spring/strut compression from autozone. You will need an alignment though. Its pretty straightforward actually.

 

I just pulled mine off for the first time to take a look at them, its not as hard as it looks, you'll need the spring compressor, you only need to remove your swaybar endlink, then one bolt unbolts the arm (forgot the name) that attaches to the strut. Two bolts at the bottom of the strut and 4 at the top under the hood and they're off. Compress the spring with the spring compressor and slide in the shock and put it all back together

 

I have a set of spring compressors. I just watched a video about it I think Im gonna try and do it right now, hope its as simple as the video made it look. I dont mind spending money on an alignment, I just think 400 dollars all for labor is crazy! Well thanks guys and wish me luck Ill post how it went when Im done.

 

I'm in the same boat, waiting for payday for new shocks, already got new tie-rods on the way, good luck

 

So far so good I have taken the front strut off but the problem is that I cant get the nut at the top of the strut off it keeps spinning but wont unscrew? whats up with that? any help?

 

That's a PITA! I remember that happened to me too and I had to break it off.

 

You have the spring compressed, correct? If no, the spring will rip your head off when that nut does come off.

It comes off best with an impact gun. Short bursts of air will hammer it off. Same when you put the new nut back on. Don't spin the nut continuously or your will damage the rod seal.

 

i had to cut my nut off..........it was rusted on BIG time

 

Im out of day light and still havent been able to get the old strut and spring seperated. The rod and nut keep spinning together. I dont have the tools to break or cut it so I think tomorrow Ill take the other strut off and take them both to a shop and have them cut it. Also I think Im gonna hang a punching bag in my garage so I can hit it when rusty bolts dont come loose

 

I feel your pain. I spent 3 nights under the car trying to get a rear control arm bolt free. Finally gave up and borrowed an angle grinder from a co-worker. That was no fun either, getting showered with sparks while laying under the car, but that sucker finally came off.

 

See if a ratchet wrench 15mm with a pair of vice grips on the actual stud will work. It worked for me untill the last 3 threads, had to get the angle grinder and cut the nut in half, your gonna need a new shock.

Stock replacements are cheap at any auto parts store.

 

I actually tried that and it started stripping the rod. I ended up just taking both of them off myself then taking the old and new struts to a shop and had then cut the end nuts off and put the new struts on the old springs charged me $80 but thats better than $400. Thanks for all the help.

 

on the passenger side its not that hard but on the driver side the 2 bolts are under the brake cylinder and you can un bolt that and move it off to the side without having to disconnect it then get to the bolts without worring about stripping them and the you get a spring compressor take your time and youl have it done within a couple hours. took me about 3 to 4 because i was just taking my time