"How To": 2007-2012 GMC Acadia Front Strut Replacement

The GMC Acadia (and its "sister vehicles" the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, and Saturn Outlook) use a simple strut design for the front suspension. Over time these wear out and need to be replaced. While a shop will charge you a couple hundred dollars or more to change these out and then also the cost of the necessary front end alignment, you can do it in your driveway pretty quickly, and then only have to pay for a front end alignment.
While you can buy the parts to rebuild your strut assemblies, I recommend just purchasing the entire assembly new. It is much faster, and this is my personal opinion, much safer. Rebuilding the assembly requires the use of coil spring compressors, and even when used properly, they can be quite dangerous. Again, I highly recommend just buying the entire strut assembly.
Be sure to torque all bolts and nuts back to their proper settings when reassembling with the new struts. here are the specs you'll need for this job:
Windshield Wiper Arms: 28 lb-ft
Strut Stud Nuts (top): 61 lb-ft
Sway Bar Linkage Nut: 52 lb-ft
Strut-to-Knuckle Alignment Bolt Nuts: 108 lb-ft
Wheel Lug Nuts: 140 lb-ft
Where to Buy:
www.rockauto.c...

[@billbelcher4998]

Thank you sir. You have helped me a lot again thanks.

[@shawndavis97]

Wife was quoted $1600 to have these replaced on her 2007 Acadia. This how-to was a great resource, I replaced both sides in roughly 2 hours and $380 in parts. Much appreciated.

[@davidqi8073]

Got my wife's 08 Acadia front and rear struts done, and not a lot of video told me i need alignment after this job. I am first to do this anyway. This guy really pointed out all the details, even that tiny rubber nob on the side. Believe or not, by put that in really drive me nuts... Thank you for your video.

[@pomo91768]

Nice job! Your wiper arm tool is a great share because it helped me remove the wiper arms.

[@takeroadslesstraveled6505]

Definitely makes things a lot easier!

[@MS-lk2sk]

how do you torque to spec if its by hand?

[@TheCCMasterChief]

Great video. Do you remember what led you to replacing the struts? Did it solve the problem? What brand of struts did you go with? Thanks for your help.

[@takeroadslesstraveled6505]

Replaced them due to the driver strut leaking. Struts are an item that should be replaced in pairs, so be sure to get both sides. I went with the FCS 1344404's. They ride well and don't cost too much. There's a link in the description for purchasing them form RockAuto.com. As mentioned in the video, be sure to get na alignment once you're done swapping in the new struts.

[@TheCCMasterChief]

@@takeroadslesstraveled6505 Thank you very much. I realize a leak is the best sign of a problem. I’ve been having a clunking sound over rough road from the front passenger side wheel area so probably time to give the struts a good inspection. I appreciate your reply. Have a good one.

[@takeroadslesstraveled6505]

@@TheCCMasterChief also be sure to check your sway bar link joints. The top end uses a small tie-rod style link on the platforms and that could be either the issue or part of it.

[@TheCCMasterChief]

@@takeroadslesstraveled6505 Thanks for the additional tip. I appreciate it.

[@richtee3470]

It's a red Acadia, just not mine. What was your completion time?

[@takeroadslesstraveled6505]

About 90 minutes with the video elements (multiple takes on certain shots, etc). Without the video elements, it can be done in about an hour at a good pace if you know what to do.

[@richtee3470]

@@takeroadslesstraveled6505 Completed, Pretty straight forward job as described.
And YES get a front end alignment!

[@mikesayed25]

Here is my question i replaced my 2015 acadia struts and have what looks to be the same struts as you meaning it has the slotted bottom hole what did you use to keep the alignment ie alignment bolts or other stuff the shop that did my alignment said they hope it doesnt move

[@takeroadslesstraveled6505]

So, neither the factory nor the replacement struts on mine had a slotted lower hole. The bolts are known as a camber bolt, and are simply torqued to spec to hold them and the alignment in place. If your alignment shop is saying it won't hold, I would suggest a new shop that actually knows what they're talking about.

[@curtisdoss2469]

@@takeroadslesstraveled6505 I have had issues with non slotted struts on my impala. Even though they weren't, my camber was off. I was wondering if that could happen on an Acadia. I'm having issues with the stabilitrak and thought it might be a worn strut.

[@Guillermo-mr9vx]

Talks way too much