Removal

• 1). Raise the Equinox front end, using a floor jack, and support this end onto jack stands. Remove the wheel for the strut you are removing. Raise the jack under the control arm to support it.
  
  
• 2). Disconnect the brake hose bracket from the strut, removing its bolt with your wrench.
  
  
• 3). Unscrew, and remove, the upper nut for the stabilizer bar link, which is a vertically positioned rod that connects the link to the strut, using the wrench. Disconnect the end from the strut.
  
  
• 4). Mark the relationship between the strut and the steering knuckle, using white out or a thin paintbrush.
  
  
• 5). Remove the nuts and bolts that connect the strut to the steering knuckle, using the wrench.
  
  
• 6). Remove the upper fasteners for the strut, accessed from the engine compartment, while a second person supports the strut in the fender well. Have the assistant guide the strut out the fender well.
  
  

Installation

• 1). Guide the replacement strut up into the fender well and strut tower--you may need your assistant to do this. Once the mounting studs are in the tower holes, attach the nuts without tightening them all the way.
  
  
• 2). Connect the steering knuckle to the strut, using the strut flange and the marks from the knuckle. Insert the bolts, and tighten the nuts.
  
  
• 3). Reconnect the stabilizer bar link and the bracket for the brake hose with the corresponding bolts.
  
  
• 4). Reconnect the wheel; remove the floor jack from the control arm, and lower the vehicle off the jack stands, using the jack.
  
  
• 5). Tighten the upper mounting nuts for the strut, using your wrench.