I need to remove the steering knuckle(bad wheel bearing). Do I need to have the springs on my strut compressed?

 

No you don't have to touch the springs, the knuckle/spindle comes right off the strut with two 17mm bolts/nuts

 

Thanks! I had convinced myself that the strut might overextend itself if I didn't. Apparently, I've got a poor memory since I changed the suspension out myself about 3 years ago.

 

What a scenario.

 

Better pray the hubs are not grooved from the bearings going bad. If so go to www.autocenter.net or www.courtesynissan.com and order new hubs. Autocenter price is $150.11 each hub. Courtesynissan i believe is like $155.

 

Thanks for the help! BTW, that damn axle nut is a PITA. Sheesh.

 

best to break it loose with a breaker bar while on all four wheels.
never had a problem on mine when doing it that way (now, at the junk yard, where the car is put up on wheels.... yeah, that's a bish).

 

do these cars have front and rear sway bars? or just front?

 

front and rear.

 

Don't any of you knuckleheads have access to air tools?

I know compressors are kind of expensive, but a lot of used ones are out there. My dad gave me his old compressor a few years ago. I just have some Harbor Freight air tools and it makes things much easier. I took almost every nut and bolt off the parts car I had with it.

 

I love airtools but oddly don't use them much at all. Unless it's something I know will be an absolute pain I always just go with the hand tools.

I have an actual "axle set" with a 1" drive, 3 foot long ratchet and matching breaker bar, extensions, and a whole slew of 1" drive sockets to fit various makes/manufacturers

I get axle nuts off no problem with it

 

same here. I usually prefer a breaker bar and a ratchet over a pneumatic. I have a compressor/impact/air-ratchet, but prefer the "traditional" method more.
I DO use them, but only if space is a constraint.

 

Maybe I am just old and lazy.

I do admit that I like to put stuff back on with hand tools. Not a fan of over torquing. However, taking pretty much anything off I drag out the compressor.