How to Replace the Shocks and Struts in a Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima has a comfortable and smooth ride when it's brand new, but after 60,000 miles under normal driving conditions, you need to replace the struts in order to maintain that smoothness. This process works best for model years 2002 to 2006.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
Floor jack
Jack stands
Tire iron
Adjustable wrench
Ratchet set
Torque wrench
Permanent marker
Coil spring compressor
Replace the Front Struts in an Altima
1

Lift the front end of the Altima with a floor jack and support it by the frame with jack stands. Use a tire iron to loosen the nuts on the front wheels and remove them. Set the front wheels aside.
2

Locate the struts under the front end of the Altima. They look like springs coiled around hardware, with mounts on both ends. Follow the brake hose from the wheel hub to the strut and remove the brake hose bracket from the strut. Remove the bracket holding the wiring for the anti-lock brake system from the strut.
3

Support the lower control arm, also called the transverse link, with a jack stand and remove the bolt connecting the strut to the steering knuckle on the bottom. Disconnect the three upper mounting nuts from the frame and pull the strut out of the suspension. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 on the other side of the Altima.
4

Position the replacement strut in the same alignment from which you removed the old one. Set your torque wrench to 29 foot lb and tighten the upper mounting nuts until you feel the wrench slip. Insert the strut-to-knuckle bolt and torque it to 123 foot lb. Attach the brackets for the brake hose and the anti-lock brake wiring to the strut. Repeat this step on the other side of the Altima.
5

Mount the front wheels and lower the car. Have a professional align the front end.
Replace the Rear Struts in an Altima
1

Raise the rear end of the Altima and support it by the axle with jack stands. Locate the struts and use a permanent marker to mark the alignment of the struts so you can replace them properly.
2

Remove the lower mounting bolt from the bottom of the strut and disconnect the two upper mounting nuts. Take the strut out from under the rear end of the Altima.
3

Compress the strut and remove the center nut from the strut assembly. Decompress the spring and pull it off the strut. Replace the strut and compress the spring to mount it. Install the center nut and torque it to 43 foot lb. Remove the compressor. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 on the other side of the rear of the Altima.
4

Align the strut with the marks you made earlier and install the upper mounting nuts. Torque them to 31 foot lb. Insert the lower mounting bolt and torque it to 123 foot lb. Repeat this step on the other side of the Altima.
5

Mount the rear wheels and lower the car. Have a professional align the suspension.

Tips & Warnings

Many auto parts stores rent specialty tools, like the spring compressor. Ask for instructions and tips on its use before you rent it.