I have a line on some low mileage stock struts removed from a 2006 4WD Element (posted elsewhere on this site).

They're for my 2005 MT 2WD, with over 96k miles on the stockers.

Two questions:

1) Will they fit? IOW is there a difference either between years or between the 4WD and the 2WD?

2) How hard is it to swap struts front and rear?

Thanks in advance...

Quite a bit of work if you've never done it before. You pretty much have to take the control arms off of the knuckle, which (unless your a magician) will rip the ball joint boots. So buy a set of ball joint boots. Though they're probably in need of replacing anyway if they are cracked or torn before the work starts. Removing the ball joint will probably be the hardest part. I replaced my bushings on the front end and I thought I was going to rip the whole side of the car off trying to get the ball joint to pop loose. While you're there check the brake pads too. And the Tie rod ends. While you've got everything torn apart you might as well get everything fixed up.


Here's a generic walkthrough of replacing the struts...

http://www.partsource.ca/doityourself/How-To-Remove-and-Replace-Struts.asp

Keep in mind a four wheel alignment is needed afterwards too.

Good Luck

I also had to replace my stabilizer link (51320-S5A-003, right side) as a result of the operation to separate the knuckle from the lower control arm.

Thanks for the responses.

Let me bump this with special emphasis on the first question:

Will they fit? IOW, is there any difference in the struts between various years and models?

http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60385