Replaced both sides yesterday night and today morning. Both sides were shot. No leak, but when i press on it, it is not coming back. Mostly it was easy, i removed the cowl first which made it lot easier, especially when holding it with one hand and tightening one nut on top. Started with passenger side, it was tough to align the holes on knuckle and strut. Had to loosen the control arm bolt, especially with the poly bushing i have. Once loosened, it made it lot easier.
Except the strut and strut below, all the parts were in excellent shape. Even the rubber padding on the bottom. The bearing (kind of white plastic disc), i cleaned it and used some white lithium grease (looks like that's what it had from factory). The Sachs struts i ordered, i got the TRW brand from RockAuto and is made in USA.
Overall, here is what i did
1. Removed the cowl and wiper blades
2. Loosen the 3 nuts on the strut top
3. Remove wheel
4. Disconnect the abs cable(clip) and the brake line (bolt)
5. Raise the knuckle at control arm and removed the sway bar link nut.
6. Remove 2 X 22 mm nut. Top bolt will stay because of the angle
7. Loosen the control arm bolt (the middle one)
8. Press down on the knuckle and remove the top bolt
9. Remove the strut out of the van
10. Compress the spring until the mount is loose to turn
11. Remove the strut nut
12. Clean everything.
13. Install new strut and strut below.
14. Tighten strut nut and remove the spring compressor.
15. Re-install the struct. Had to press down on the knuckle to align it.
16. Re-insert bolts, raise van to ride height and tighten everything.
@dvpatel - See the picture below. I used the Autozone strut compressor. worked fine.
. Now trying to rent if possible.
