I need a diagram for installing rear struts for a 1996 plymouth neon, needing to know if i need a spring compressor to remove the old and install the new ones. and where i can find the best price for new struts

Removal:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle with jackstands.
3. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly.
4. Scribe the strut-to-knuckle for proper installation.
5. If equipped, remove the auxiliary spring, as outlined in this section.
6. Remove the jack pad.
7. Install rear leaf spring compressor tool J-35778, or equivalent. Refer to the Transverse Spring Assembly procedures in this section for installation details.
8. Fully compress the spring, but do NOT remove the retention plates or the spring.
9. Unfasten the two strut-to-body bolts.
10. Remove the brake hose bracket from the strut.
11. Remove the strut and auxiliary spring upper bracket from the knuckle.

To install:

1. Position the strut to the body and knuckle bracket.
2. Install the strut-to-body bolts and tighten to 34 ft. lbs. (46 Nm).
3. Install the strut to the knuckle, aligning the scribe marks and tighten the bolts to 133 ft. lbs. (180 Nm) for 1988-94 vehicles. For 1995-96 vehicles, tighten the bolts to 122 ft. lbs. (165 Nm).
4. Install the brake hose bracket.
5. Remove the spring compressing tool.
6. Install the jack pad and tighten the retaining bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
7. If equipped, install the auxiliary spring.
8. Install the wheel and tire assembly and install the lug nuts finger-tighten
9. Carefully lower the vehicle, then tighten the lug nuts to 100 ft. lbs. (136 Nm).
10. Connect the negative battery cable.

you need a spring compressor. There are three or four bolts which hold the spring/strut in place on each side.. remove the assembly and apply the spring compressor to take off the tension. Remove the spring and slowly release the tension. compress the new spring and assemble in reverse order... replace the struts at the same time or you will regret it later FYI..

thanks!
Stan

The struts model (MacPherson Strut),are both in front and back of this car.
2000 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Rear, Driver Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly. $72
2000 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Rear, Passenger Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $68
1996 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Front, Driver Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $67
1996 - 2006 Hyundai Elantra Shock Absorber and Strut Assembly - Front, Passenger Side, KYB GR-2/EXCEL-G, Twin tube, Strut Assembly $63
Of course this is only the cartridge, you have to transfer the spring, and the top mount of the existing strut. You need a pair of coil spring compressor to do the job. The basic procedure to replace a strut is:
Remove the top nuts that secure the strut assembly to the frame mount inside the engine compartment. Do not remove the center nut.
Mark the lower strut mounting location on the hub for installation reference. The alignment will be close if the new strut is installed in the same position.
Remove the bolts that hold the strut assembly to the hub.
Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
Mark the top mount for installation reference. Using a side mounted spring compressor, compress the spring and remove the top nut and retaining washer. Pull strut assembly out from the bottom of spring.
Slide the new strut assembly up into the spring and reposition the top mount onto the spring in the same position that it was removed. Install the retaining washer and top nut.
Tighten the top nut to the manufacturer's specifications and carefully remove the spring compressor.
Place the strut assembly back into the vehicle.

Raise the car and remove the wheels. Loosen the bolts holding the strut to the steering knuckle. Before removing them, remove the strut mount bolts under the hood. Then remove the other bolts, the entire strut assembly will slide out. You can either install a complete new strut and spring assembly (more expensive), or you can use a coil spring compressor to remove the spring from the old strut and install it on a new one (less expensive but you must have access to a spring compressor). Make sure when installing the spring that it is aligned correctly on the new strut. A compressed spring is very dangerous, be sure to follow the instructions with the spring compressor. Re-install the strut assembly. Make sure that the knuckle bolts are torqued to spec.

you will need to set the car on jack stands, then remove the tires, then remove the bottom strut mount bolts, pop the trunk, and the top mount bolts should be easily accessible remove them also, then you will need strut spring compressors, compress spring, remove top retaining nut, then remove old strut install new strut tighten retaining nut release springs and install back on vehicle.

Did you install the old spring and top bearing plate on the new strut,just as you had when you removed it? Hopefully you removed the entire assy. You needed to use a strut compressor or spring compressors, if you like to live dangerously,to remove the old strut from the spring.

1. Remove the strut assembly.
   CAUTION Do not attempt to remove the coil spring from the strut without first compressing the coil spring with the appropriate tool.
   
2. Install a suitable spring compressor to the coil spring and compress the spring until the spring tension is relieved from the spring seat.
3. Remove the thrust bearing retainer nut.
4. Remove the thrust bearing, spring seat and dust shield.
5. Remove the coil spring from the strut.
6. Remove the jounce bumper from the strut.
7. Replace the coil spring or the strut as needed.

To install:

1. Reinstall the jounce bumper to the strut.
2. Position the coil spring to the strut.
3. Compress the coil spring if removed from the spring compressor.
4. Reinstall the dust shield, spring seat and thrust bearing.
5. The coil spring must seat in the notch of the spring seat.
6. Reinstall the thrust bearing retainer nut. Tighten the nut to 44 ft. lbs. (59 Nm).
7. Install the strut assembly into the
   

you will need a strut spring compressor which cost about 50 bucks

I believe these are equipped with McPherson struts and a spring compressor is required to replace the struts. It is possible to DIY but the spring compressor is mandatory to prevent the compressed spring surrounding the strut from wreaking havoc once released.

You will need a spring compressor first of all. You have to remove strut, compress sring to get cartridge and spring apart and then replace new spring on strut and replace into vehicle. This is a nasty job without a hoist

In the rear you DO NOT need a spring conpressor to remove struts. However in the front If your struts have the springs around them, then yes you definatly need a spring compressor. They sell and rent automatic spring compressors but they cost  a couple hundred bucks, but if I was you I would go to an auto parts store and get manually spring compressors they are $30-$50 and you hook them up to the springs and tighten them down with a drill or air gun. If you dont have a drill or air gun you could use a wrench of rachet but that will take forever.