Replacing struts and shocks

[lOOkatme]

I replaced mine, and I have a HUGE gap between the chassis and top of the strut mount kit. I see others say this is normal, I say its a bad design.

[adjwilley]

Remove the plastic cap on top of the strut top. Remove the top strut nut by holding the piston rod with a small socket(can't remember the size) and turning the nut with either a wrench or a pass through type socket/ratchet(IIRC it was a 19mm):

The top socket size is 9mm. Kind of an uncommon size it seems, and it was very tight on mine, so make sure you have the right tools. For the big 19mm nut, a offset wrench is good because the nut is kind of sunken down inside the mount thingy. I tried with a regular wrench and it doesn't work very well.

Thanks for the awesome post.

[TheChilds]

Sorry to necro this very old post, however, did this solve the "Howl of My People"? My 2008 Aveo is howling intermittently at high speeds. Wheel bearings and axles are good. Struts or air noise are my next guess.

[johanbrandon]

1. Disconnect struts from spindle, sway bar, and strut tower bolt.
2. Use spring compressor to remove and transfer spring to new strut.
3. Reassemble by reversing the steps, ensuring proper torque on all bolts for safe installation.