Hello all, I'm new to the forum. My wife has a Magna and has been told by the local mechanic that the front drivers side "strut" is leaking and needs replacing ($580 to do both). I don't want to spend that kind of money so was wondering if it's an easy job that I can do myself - how do they come off? I'm told it will need a wheel alignment afterward?

Anyone have any new or used Struts in good condition they want to sell, or know where I can get them at the best price?

Also, where can I get a Factory Service Manual?

Thanks.

You'll need spring compressors. remembering compressed springs store a lot of energy so there is an element of safety here. Only ever did it once and with the cheap set of compressors i had which bent under the load, I felt it was risky but got it done.

i'd rather have someone with the right gear do it personally.

The manual suggests a wheel alignment. In my opinion since the only adjustment is toe-in which should not change with the struts being replaced i don't see the point.
it would however be good to do as routine maintenance and an indication just in case the bushes were worn and the camber etc was out.

Manuals
http://www.lisho.net/?page_id=3

The Club's resident expert. .
https://www.mitsfix.com/store/

Can't comment really on pricing, never purchased aftermarket for the Magna.

Can provide a pair of used struts complete with spring, damper etc ready to bolt into the car for $150.00 for a pair out of a TL or W magna, will bolt straight in, usually have around the 100k mark on the cars

Freight, provided you are in metro NSW will be $25

Bolting in, need a 14mm, 12mm (if yo have abs) and a 17mm. Remove wheel, remove 2 17mm bolts and nuts from strut, remove brake line clip (line slips out once clip is off, no need to lose fluid or anything) remove 3 14mm top nuts and the lot comes out in your hand

Thanks for the replies. Are you supposed to replace them both together as a pair or could I just replace the broken one?

Mybe the best way is to replace both! If the driver side is gone, that's mean the passanger side dosen't have to much life on it too!

Best replaced as a set, for cornering, handling consistency. Expect to do a wheel alighnment in your budget.

Second hand struts are like second hand shoes but you can't see the wear, round here, struts are usually replaced between 120 - 160 thous k's.

Of course in FWD car, Front suspension, tyres and brakes are of the utmost importance, a comprimise of any of these three, is well, a comprimise.

It is your wife after all, have you got kids, the best advice is to re-new!

You can do it yourself, but if you need to ask how, the good advice is to get help.

You should be able to replace the shocks with new, for less money, but an experienced person can tell if the boots, bumpstops, and other consumables are good or need replacing.

Yeah I thought they would be best replaced as a set, just thought I'd check.

I've replaced front coil springs, rear leaf springs and shocks etc on my Jeep before but having only owned 4WD's I'm not familiar with "struts". I think I'll check the service manual and get under to have a look for myself before I decide what to do. Thanks.

Is not that hard if you have a few skills to lol! Took me 7 hours (by myself) to lower my car! The hardest part was to compress the springs!

Where in NSW are you? Several of us have changed springs/shocks ourselves, and could probably lend a hand depending on where you are. If you just decide to do what Mal suggested and bolt in a set he provides it's fairly straightforward, bit more fun if you are taking compressing springs and stuff.

I'm at Port Stephens and I've sent Madmagna a PM about his bolt in set.

Just looking at the link TW2005 posted, which manual suits a TE? I didn't notice it on the list.

None, but that will change soon (I'm getting the Ellery's one... and I have spare time to burn!) :D

when it come,s to struts one go,s replace both.madmagna best opption. latter on get new a have a play whenhave got time.as it a time consuming diy,

Sounds good.

Hey Madmagna, did you get my PM's? There might be something wrong because when I go to my Sent Items it doesn't show that I've sent anything?