Shock/Strut replacement questions

[sroberts]

Hey guys, long time no post. I am going to replace the shocks and struts on my '07 Sedan. Just had a couple of questions before I tear into it.

Do I access the rear shock upper mounts from inside the car or through the trunk? Its kinda of hard to tell from the outside.

Do I need to remove the cowl to get to the upper mounts for the struts? I have read some do and some don't.

Lastly and I am sure I know the answer but is it necessary to have an alignment done after replacing the struts? Or can I just take note of the mounting of the original. I am replacing them with Monroe struts.

TIA

[suckerface]

So, having a hatch, this may not be accurate, but I'm guessing the rears will be accessed through the top, and the fronts, I had to remove the cowl (you get used to it after doing it 3 or 4 times ;) )

As far as alignment goes, give it a hundred miles or so to break in, then have one done.

Good luck!

[Absolutely Red 12]

Hey guys, long time no post. I am going to replace the shocks and struts on my '07 Sedan. Just had a couple of questions before I tear into it.

Do I access the rear shock upper mounts from inside the car or through the trunk? Its kinda of hard to tell from the outside.

Do I need to remove the cowl to get to the upper mounts for the struts? I have read some do and some don't.

Lastly and I am sure I know the answer but is it necessary to have an alignment done after replacing the struts? Or can I just take note of the mounting of the original. I am replacing them with Monroe struts.

TIA

You dont need to remove the cowl.

A long 6MM allen wrench, with the short end ground down to 1/2" long.
A 17MM deep offset box wrench will both sneak under the cowl to loosen.
Then you can reach your hand in and remove the nut.

I highly recommend spending a few $$ and getting the Tokico Blues.

[ciscobear]

I highly recommend spending a few $$ and getting the Tokico Blues.

Agreed.

[sroberts]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. I already bought the struts and got them really cheap. I cant really afford to spend any more.

Still looking to confirm where to access the top mounts for the rear shocks on a sedan.

[WeeYari]

Unlike the HB which has nice popout access panels to access the shock, I believe the sedan requires removal of the entire side panel in the trunk. A friend with a sedan bitched about how easy the HB guys have it when it comes to rear shock removal.

[sroberts]

Thanks WeeYari! :thumbsup:

[fnkngrv]

yup...that is the case for the rears in the sedan. also, why not remove the cowl? it is easy. I have done it prolly literally 100+ times now. 14mm for the wiper arms and a 10mm for the 8-10 black bolts. You have to remove the wiper motor first before the metal cowl plate and don't forget the wiper fluid hose like I always do upon reinstall! haha.

[Absolutely Red 12]

also, why not remove the cowl? it is easy.

Because, its not needed!!

:thumbsup: