ActiveTuning 02-06 Nissan Altima Custom Koni Sport Front Struts

Tools Needed

• Jack and 1-4 Jackstands
• Rental Strut Spring Compressor ($9.50 for 4 hours)
• 14, 17, 19 mm Sockets, Ratchet, 3" Extension
• 17, 19mm Wrench
• Flat Screwdriver
• Lug Wrench

We recommend using a torque wrench and factory torque specifications during reassembly.

Front first - remove the brake line clip with a flat screw driver and a bump from your palm (large arrow). Remove the brake line from the bracket. Remove the ABS sensor wire from the two holders if present (small arrows). Remove the 2 large 19mm nuts from the lower strut bolts (17mm heads), then remove the bolts.

Now remove the sway bar link. Hold the hex on the back side (arrow) while removing the nut.

Loosen the top center strut bolt (do not remove!). Support the suspension with a floor jack, or have your helper support it while you remove the three upper 14 mm nuts. (these are under your hood)

The struts will now fall right out.

The next step is to swap parts onto the new struts. You may use a rental spring compressor and follow the instructions included. Alternatively, you could bring the struts to a shop and have the springs and related parts swapped for a nominal fee.

If you elect to do this work yourself, clamp the springs with the compressor. We were only able to grab one coil spacing due to the lack of coils on the OEM spring, and the threads on the compressor bottomed out before the spring pulled away from it's perches, however, there are plenty of threads on the upper strut nut and tension was fully released before the nut was off. Remove the upper nut and upper mount assembly. CAREFULLY reinstall all of the parts removed from the original strut onto the new Koni strut paying attention that the parts with one side labeled “out” are correctly positioned, but replace the OEM upper insulator with the modified insulator provided with your struts. Pretighten the upper nut, but don’t fully torque it until the strut assembly is installed into the car. The upper mount holes are asymmetrically spaced to insure proper positioning during reinstallation. There is a thin gasket between the strut mount and body that may remain stuck to the body of the car. Insure that the struts are properly assembled, and do one side at a time in case you need the other for comparison. If you are not confident in your mechanical abilities, leave this work to a professional.