How To Change Chevy Trailblazer Front Struts & Sway Bar Links Step by Step Replacement

A step by step how to video explaining how to replace the front struts and sway bar links on a Chevy Trailblazer. The tools needed for the job are shown in the beginning of the video and the parts used are Monroe Quick-Strut assemblies sourced from Amazon and Mevotech sway bar links sourced from Rock Auto. Torque Specs Can Be Found Below!

The procedure shown in this video should also apply to the following GMT360 platform vehicles :
2002–2009 GMC Envoy, Envoy XL, and Envoy XUV
2002–2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT
2002–2004 Oldsmobile Bravada
2004–2007 Buick Rainier
2003–2008 Isuzu Ascender
2005–2009 Saab 9-7X 4.2i

Complete Front Suspension Torque Specs for Trailblazer sourced from Trailblazer Forum cited from repair manual:

Brake Hose Bracket Retaining Bolts
10 N·m
89 lb in

Drive Axle Nut
140 N·m
103 lb ft

Lower Ball Joint Retaining Nuts
107 N·m
79 lb ft

Lower Control Arm Bracket Front Mounting Bolt
260 N·m
192 lb ft.

Lower Control Arm Bracket Rear Mounting Bolt
230 N·m
170 lb ft

Lower Control Arm to the Lower Control Arm Bracket Mounting Nuts
130 N·m
96 lb ft

Outer Tie Rod to the Steering Knuckle Retaining Nut
57 N·m
42 lb ft

Shock Absorber Retaining Nut
43 N·m
32 lb ft

Shock Module Upper Retaining Nuts
45 N·m
33 lb ft

Shock Module Yoke to the Lower Control Arm Retaining Nut
111 N·m
82 lb ft

Shock Module Yoke to the Shock Absorber Pinch Bolt
70 N·m
52 lb ft

Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Mounting Bolts
54 N·m
40 lb ft

Stabilizer Shaft Link Retaining Nuts
23 N·m
17 lb ft

Upper Ball Joint Pinch Bolt
41 N·m
30 lb ft

Upper Control Arm Mounting Bolts
146 N·m
108 lb ft

Wheel Hub and Bearing Mounting Bolts
105 N·m
77 lb ft

Wheel Speed Sensor to the Wheel Hub and Bearing Mounting Bolt
18 N·m
13 lb ft

Wheel Stud
130 N·m
95 lb ft

[garage]

Thank you so much for the detailed video. I just did my Trailblazer. I saved $900.00 in labor. If I can do it at 50 yrs old and being a female anyone can if they watch this video.

[displayaplays]

I was doing front struts on my 2008 saab 97x and was stuck getting the the new strut into the mount untill i seen you mention using the jack to lift the lower control arm. Very helpfull video, thanks

[RGVtotoVA]

I did mine in just under 2 hours with basic tools. It was easier than I thought. If I had pneumatic tools, I'm sure it would have taken less than an hour for both sides.

[stickittheman]

Thanks for the walkthrough! I see you did the low pressure power steering line repair too ☺️ that's definitely a nice trick too!

[JorgeMoreno-bmoz]

Great video! thank you for posting! I was having lots of trouble trying to break out that lower arm from the stud. With your video it worked out a lot easier.

[koshnaranek]

I thought this could be done without removing that 24mm nut on the lower yoke and you proved it. When I did the struts on my '05 Trailblazer last year took forever to get that tapered fit broke loose without a pickle fork or air hammer. Now I have to do my '03 your way looks a lot easier to do.

[lakestatebullies]

Your the first person that I've seen the compression fitting and brake line fix on the steering lines. I did this fix on 2 of my wife's trailblazers.

[HighFrequencyReality]

Thank you so much for sharing, now when I change mine here soon I'll know exactly what I'm looking at, super helpful!

[lenriquez]

I finally did it watching your video, I did it couple other times watching different ways with out success, it worked with yours.I really appreciate the time you take to show other a lot!!!😀👍

[eyestunners]

About to do the same on my Trailblazer. This video will help a ton!

[christopherroberts]

Absolutely AWESOME tutorials, start to finish!

[markvance]

Looks good to me, local shop wants $700-800 labor to do this. I'll be doing it myself. Thanks!

[bobsbarnworkshop]

If you’re just changing the struts it’s way easier to just remove the two top nuts on the strut from the engine compartment then remove the big 15/16” nut at the bottom of the strut extension leg and the whole thing will drop right out so you can remove the old strut and and reattach the extension leg outside the vehicle. No need to disconnect any wires or brake lines or the top ball joint. You did a lot of extra work you didn’t need to do. I did a video on my Envoy last summer for reference.

[mariothibodeaux]

I just watch this and did mines.... Great Job on the video

[indynd]

Good video. I'm about to start the process and appreciate seeing what I'm about to get into.

[EasywithEric]

Very well done video ... exactly what the title says and showed all the right detail ... I bookmarked to do the same job on mine next. Thanks for Sharing

[carlosmuniz]

Great step by step tutorial video the best I have found on YouTube

[Newport]

So today I decided to replace the struts on my 2007 GMC Envoy. It took me a total of ONE Hour to get everything done. All I did was remove the Two top nuts for the strut and the big bottom nut and out it came. I then removed the nut and bolt that holds the strut to the spindle arm and put the new one on and then put new strut on. I did Not remove the upper ball joint. I did Not remove the sway bar links. I did not remove the air cleaner box either. I was able to get at the Top Nuts from the fender well. Some of these videos show to be too extensive when it's actually a very simple job

[mikemcmonigal]

Great video, exactly what I needed to see. I have never done struts before, but I’m gonna try this weekend.

[damarpo]

very informative video, about to tackle myself, thanks