2011 Chevrolet Traverse Front & Rear 4 Piece Complete Strut Assembly & Shock Absorber Kit TRQ SKA61012

1. It's recommended to seek an alignment after finishing this repair

   step 1 : Removing the Wheel 0:47

   • Pry off the center cap with a flat blade screwdriver
   • Loosen the 22mm lug nuts with the vehicle on the ground
   • Raise the vehicle with a floor jack
   • Secure the vehicle on jack stands
   • Remove the lug nuts
   • Pull off the wheel

2. step 2 : Removing the Wiper Arm 1:13

   • Pry off the wiper arm cap with a flat blade screwdriver
   • Remove the 15mm nut from the wiper arm
   • Remove the wiper arm
   • Repeat the process for the other side

3. step 3 : Removing the Cowl Panel 1:46

   • Remove the four clips along the cowl panel with a flat blade screwdriver
   • Remove the ground from the cowl panel
   • Pry off the clip near the edge of the windshield
   • Pry off the adhesive pad on either end of the cowl panel
   • Pry off the clip on the driver side of the cowl panel
   • Pull up on the cowl panel to release it from its clips
   • Pull the cowl panel up and off

4. step 4 : Removing the Front Strut 3:06

   • Spray the lower and higher strut bolts with rust penetrant
   • Remove the three of the upper 15mm strut bolts and leave the last one loosened
   • Pry out the clip holding the brake line to the strut with a flat blade screwdriver
   • Remove the 18mm nut from the stabilizer link
   • Pull the stabilizer link aside
   • Remove the two 24mm nuts from the bottom of the strut and knuckle
   • Pry the wiring harness off of the strut
   • Thread the 24mm nuts onto the bolts and hammer them to move the bolts
   • Jack up underneath the knuckle
   • Remove the two bolts from the knuckle
   • Pull the strut off the steering knuckle
   • Remove the last 15mm bolt from the strut
   • Remove the strut

5. step 5 : Disassembling the Strut 5:27

   • Place the spring compressors on either side of the spring
   • Tighten each back and forth a little while alternating sides
   • Remove the spark plug piece from a 13/16 spark plug socket with a 90-degree pick
   • Remove the nut at the top of the strut with a 7/8 wrench and 13/16 spark plug socket
   • Pull the mount plate from the top of the strut free
   • Remove the spring
   • Pull the boot up and off

6. step 6 : Assembling the Strut 6:40

   • Remove the nut from the new strut
   • Replace the boot
   • Insert the spring into its notch on the strut
   • Tighten the bolt onto the new strut
   • Loosen each of the compressors bit by bit while alternating sides
   • Repeat until the spring compressors pull free

7. step 7 : Inserting the Front Strut 8:35

   • Insert the strut into place
   • Push down on the knuckle and place the strut behind it
   • Push the strut onto the knuckle
   • Insert the bolts into the bottom of the strut and knuckle
   • Hammer the bolts in and tighten them
   • Torque the bolts to 120 foot-pounds
   • Jack up the strut into place
   • Replace the upper 15mm strut bolts by hand
   • Insert the harness clip in place on the new strut
   • Insert the clip holding the brake line
   • Insert the stabilizer link in place
   • Tighten the 18mm nut to the link

8. step 8 : Reattaching the Wheel 10:54

   • Slide the wheel into place
   • Start the lug nuts by hand
   • Tighten the lug nuts preliminarily
   • Lower the vehicle to the ground
   • Tighten the lug nuts
   • Tighten the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds in a crossing or star pattern
   • Reattach the center cap
   • Tighten the three 15mm bolts at the top of the strut
   • Tighten the lug nuts to 45 foot-pounds

9. step 9 : Reinstalling the Cowl Panel 11:39

   • Insert any remaining clips into the cowl panel
   • Insert the cowl panel into place
   • Insert the adhesive on either side of the panel
   • Push in the clips along the cowl panel
   • Push on the clip near the edge of the windshield
   • Push in the clip on the driver side of the cowl panel
   • Replace and tighten the ground

10. step 10 : Reinstalling the Wiper Arm 13:17

    • Push the wiper arm onto the stud
    • Tighten the 15mm nut to the wiper arm
    • Replace the wiper arm cover
    • Repeat the process for the other side

Tools needed

• 24mm Socket

  Torque Wrench

  15mm Socket

  18mm Wrench

  Jack Stands

  18mm Socket

  13/16 Inch Spark Plug Socket

  Strut Spring Compression Tool

  Pick

  21mm Socket

  Flat Blade Screwdriver

  8mm Socket

  Ratchet

  Floor Jack

  22mm Socket