How To Remove And Replace Rear Struts on a Chevy Malibu

[@tbok75]

This is WAY easier than I pictured it would be. Always heard about spring tensioners and the like. My lady's Malibu needs done and figured I'd look into it. Great info. Much thanx

[@jimthecarguy]

Thanks for watching. Im happy to help. Don't forget to subscribe.

[@vinylvishrecords]

You are the best on KZbin I watch your videos all night ...I learn alot

[@jimthecarguy]

1vishious - Thank you for the complement.I try

[@tinopoumale7010]

thanks for the video it saved me money to have someone else fixs it for me it really help me ..

[@jimthecarguy]

+Tino Poumale Thank you for watching and your feedback about my video.

[@sodascott007]

My set should be here tomorrow.....I hope it is as simple as the video says. I have everything broke loose and am just waiting on UPS. Thank you so much for the video, I have never done this before,,,,,

[@jimthecarguy]

sodascott007 You should be Ok but if you need any advice let me know.I'm here all day.Jim

[@mcdavidhome100]

Great video! and thanks for the safety tip on pushing the wrench with an open hand so you wont damage your knuckles.

[@jimthecarguy]

I'm happy to help. Thanks for watching. As for the open hand . When I first starter I learned the hard way 8 stitches

[@mcdavidhome100]

@@jimthecarguy OUCH!

[@jaymiller2179]

Great video thx 👍

[@jeffreyrappo4480]

great video I now feel confident to replace my strut assembly my self and you saved me a lot of $$$$$ on labor from having to use a mechanic. thank you.

[@jimthecarguy]

+jeffrey rappo I'm happy to help.If you need any further advice let me know

[@bipedalprimate1927]

Got a strut replaced today. Wanna learn to fix my own cars! First video of yours i saw. Subscribed! : )

[@jimthecarguy]

ryan eklund Thank you for your feed back.As I tell all my subscribers if you need any advice let me know .I can help.Jim

[@HairlessApes]

Thanks so much for this video. Took me 3 hours and TONS of force with me and my friend. Finally my strut is not killing my tires (spring snapped). Man videos make this look easy but you need A LOT more strength then you think.

[@jimthecarguy]

Thank you for watching and your input.Yea some times it look a lot easier than it is.

[@ronaldboutan2511]

Thanks for your time. Sounds like you are from Boston.

[@stephenmcgraw3610]

Hi Jim hopefully you can help me I have a 2006 Malibu 2.2 engine if I leave the car idling at a drive through for a coffee the car stalls I put a new air filter and I clean the throttle body anymore idea for me please and thank you

[@martinbarrientes7064]

Thank you, this will be a lot of help when I replace the struts on my 1998 Cutlass.

[@edriley3240]

Great video JIM HOW would I do this with only a floor jack

[@jimthecarguy]

+Ed Riley What you need to do is remove the tire and support the body of the car with a jack stand .Then use the jack to raise and lower the suspension.

[@joeward6064]

Dumb question here but safety first! Does this mean just raise the car, and secure it with a jack stand, or is the jack placed in a different position to "stretch" the strut? to me it would be the former, with the jack and jack stand replacing the powerlift and all else being equal.

[@edriley3240]

Thanks Jim going to give it a go

[@JuanMorales-ks4ll]

what about torque of the bolts

[@joeward6064]

Nice job! Very informative

[@scottybear]

Hey @Jimthecarguy I got another little issue that I could use some help with. My Chevy Classic with ECO eng dies when I pull off the freeway. (starts up after) This seems to only happen when I drive it long distance (freeway driving).. it runs fine all the other times. only done this 3 times in the last 8 months, just dont have a clue where to start with something like this.

[@jimthecarguy]

The first thing to do is to scan the car for codes.

[@JetTDi]

What are signs of bad struts if theres no visible damage or leakage? My 99 Malibu feels like it "wanders" and the rear tires are bald on the inside of the tire, and the tire looks kinda saw tooth or cupped looking on the outside edge. I took it for alignment and the guy said it was the rear struts. I do see the trailing arm bushing is cracked. If I push down on the rear end its really stiff. It goes down and back up once. Really firm. Thanks so much in advance!

[@jimthecarguy]

+Chevymalibuls If the rear tire are cupped or bald the struts do need to be replaced and the alignment reset.

[@delimac59]

When I did mine on my 02 Malibu the fronts were easy! The rears however was a different story! Lower bolts were in a bind going in and out! Only done one rear so far. Just curious are the rear struts interchangeable? Or are they specifically left and right? Afraid that I may have put right on left! Thanks!

[@jimthecarguy]

Del McTarsney Try the site Rock Auto and that will explain which is left or right. You will need your car info, follow the prompts.

[@delimac59]

Let me ask you this! Are they interchangeable on THAT Malibu? Or did it specifically say left and right?

[@jimthecarguy]

Del McTarsney I'm sorry I don't remember.

[@rjrj2390]

Do u have a video on lincoln ls 2006 front strut

[@matieuist]

Whats a good technique for getting the new strut to fit in the knuckle when the bolt holes won't line up? I can't seem to find any answers on KZbin because they either don't show that part or fast forward like in this video! How did you get your strut to finally sit when it was looking like a full inch out of sitting in proper knuckle bolt position. TY!

[@delimac59]

Had that same problem with my rear struts! Big bolts were in a MAJOR bind coming off and going on! Now the car bounces up and down when taking off. Still have one rear to do. May have put the left on right side? Will know more when I attempt the other side!I jacked the hub up then smacked it in with a small sledge!

[@scottybear]

I have a issue with my 05 classic. the car runs great till I get over 65+ then I get a shaking in the rear (it smooths out as I get closer to 80). I cant feel it in the steering, it appears to come form the rear passenger side. thanks for any help

[@jimthecarguy]

Before you do anything check the tire balance .I'm sure that will be your problem.

[@scottybear]

wow, correct.

[@jimthecarguy]

Thank you for the update.

[@kimberlygreen8973]

I have a 2007 Chevy Malibu L's and my back in sit kind of low to the tires do I need struts PR shocks And will that make my back in sit up

[@kountzer]

I have a 07 Malibu LS. I need struts also. Tire shop down the way quoted me $190.00 labor. I think I can do this myself.

[@jimthecarguy]

You should be able to do it if you are a handy guy.If you need any advice let me know.

[@MrMetalclay]

Great Video! I have a 05 Base model Malibu. My rear shocks and springs​ are separate. Shop quoted me $900, I can buy the parts for $250. It seems that it would be easy job. Lift the car, remove the wheels, put some jack pressure under the spring to take the shocks off... The spring though, would I have to take off the lower control arm bolt from the knuckle (I think that's what it's called) and let off the jack. Or do I put downward pressure and pry the spring out?

[@ronaldboutan2511]

I had to cut the spline bolt because of rust. Chevy dealer says no longer available. Can I use regular bolts?

[@jimthecarguy]

Ronald Boutan Yes as long as the bolt is the same size

[@CullinsService]

Is the 2002 malibu any different from the 1998?

[@jimthecarguy]

+Cullins Service (Landscaping) It should be the same.If you need any advice when you do the job let me know.

[@CullinsService]

my brothers rear wheel is wobbling so i checked it out. The top of the strut is loose. So if I replaced it that should fix the loose tire, right? Should you replace both struts at the same time? The other tire and strut looked and felt solid.

[@jimthecarguy]

+Cullins Service (Landscaping) If the top of the strut is loose it sounds like the bearing plate is broken as for replacing both struts I will always recommend doing both.

[@CullinsService]

+jimthecarguy The bearing plate is at the top of the strut assembly, right? So replacing the strut assembly would fix the wobbling? I'm sure some damage could have happened to the strut. I looked at it and some of the rubber covering was broken.

[@jimthecarguy]

+Cullins Service (Landscaping) Yes the bearing plate is on the top.You may think of getting the whole assembly.It comes with the strut,spring and bearing plate as an assembly.That would be easier for you to install.Keep me posted.Jim

[@sirsweetness8332]

Do not use Detroit Axle replacements. You will be replacing again in about 15,000 miles.