How to Replace the Springs in an Oldsmobile Alero

Raise the Alero and secure the wheels with jack stands before removing the entire strut assembly.

Mount the strut compressor onto a table or in a vise before attaching the strut assembly into the compressor. Take note of the mounting holes in the strut compressor and match those to your Alero's strut assembly.

Compress the strut to approximately 50 percent of its overall size. Before starting this procedure, double check the strut compressor to be certain it is firmly attached.

Take off the strut damper shaft nut and put the alignment/guiding rod J-34013-27 on the top of the shaft. Guide the damper shaft down with the rod as a guide, through the spring cap. Compress the spring after pushing down the damper shaft.

Replace the spring with a new coil spring and examine the components before putting the strut assembly back together.

Install and tighten the strut damper shaft to the manufacturer's specified amount of pressure. The nut on the rear strut receives slightly less torque than the nuts in the front.

Lower the car, remove the jacks and perform a safety check before taking the Alero out onto the road.