How to Replace the Springs in a Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is a mid-size crossover SUV. The Highlander has the maneuverability and handling of a car with the capacity of an SUV. The springs in the Toyota Highlander are incorporated into the MacPherson struts and the steps for replacing the springs are essentially the same for the front and rear springs. No special tools are needed to remove and replace the springs on the Toyota Highlander.

Instructions

1

Raise the vehicle, securely support the frame with jack stands. Place a jack beneath the rear axle.

2

Take off or disconnect the wheels, stabilizer bar link (front), brake hose, ABS sensor (front), lower end of the strut from the steering knuckle lower arm (front), three nuts on the plate-to-upper wheel arch (front) and the strut assembly.

3

Use a spring compressor to compress the spring and remove it from the strut assembly. This is a potentially dangerous step as the energy in the spring must be released slowly to avoid injury.

4

Inspect the components of the strut assembly for signs of wear before reassembling.

5

Tighten all bolts and nuts to the factory specifications. Rear: three mounting nuts, two lower nuts, center nut and stabilizer link. Front: three suspension support-to-wheel arch nuts, strut-to-steering knuckle arm bolts, nut on the sway bar link.

6

Replace the wheels and lower the Highlander. Remove the jacks.

7

Check the alignment of the wheels and realign inf necessary. Perform a safety check before taking the Highlander out for a road test.