How Do I Replace the Front Struts on a 1989 Chevrolet Beretta?

The Chevrolet Beretta uses MacPherson struts, which contain the shock absorber and upper suspension member together as a unit. You need to replace the struts if you hear or feel excessive banging while driving the car. Replace both struts at the same time, but work on one assembly at a time. Check with your mechanic or auto-supply store to ensure you get the proper replacement components.

Instructions

Removal

1

Open the hood and remove the three upper nuts and bolts for the strut using a wrench.

2

Raise the car's front end and support it on jack stands placed under the front suspension supports. Remove the front wheels.

3

Disconnect the bracket holding the brake line to the strut using your wrench.

4

Remove the cotter pin and nut where the strut connects to the tie rod, then separate these two components using a two-jaw puller

5

Place scribe marks with a sharp tool in three locations: the steering knuckle along the strut's lower outboard radius, the inboard side of the flange along the knuckle's curve and along the knuckle/strut interface.

6

Unscrew and remove the bolts connecting the strut to the steering knuckle with your wrench and remove the strut.

Installation

7

Insert and position the strut within the fender well and screw in the upper mounting nuts, tightening them only by hand at this point.

8

Line up the strut's flange with the scribe marks on the steering knuckle -- use the marks on the old strut flange also, if needed -- and connect the steering knuckle, tightening the bolts and nuts to 133 foot-pounds of torque.

9

Insert the tie rod end into the strut assembly and tighten the nut. Insert a new cotter pin into the nut; if it won't go in, tighten the nut until it does.

10

Tighten the upper mounting nuts for the strut to 18 foot-pounds of torque.

11

Reconnect the brake line bracket.

12

Reconnect the wheels after changing both struts and then lower the Beretta off the jack stands.