How to replace front and rear struts - 2004 Toyota Corolla

struts on the front contain shock absorbers as well as the pivot to turn the wheels where as on the rear they are just shock absorbers The replacement part is called an insert
so strut inserts on the front and shocks on the rear
the wheel alignment may be altered during the replacement process so it is suggested to have it done in suspension specialist shop

i'm not sure that you have "air " shocks or struts , follow this link to an automotive parts site , put in your vehicle details and it will show exactly the type of suspension components you require
Replacement Parts Car Parts and Truck Parts

You have Struts on the front & rear

Illustration
Front Strut Assy:




Rear Strut:

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.

REMOVE**** FRONT SHOCKS, FIRST OF ALL.SUPPORT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WITH A JACK,REMOVE FRONT WHEEL, REMOVE BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS TO THE STRUT BOLTS OR CLIPS,REMOVE ACTUATOR FROM TOP OF THE STRUT,IF EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC ADJUSTING SUSPENSION. PAINT ALIGNMENT MARKS ON THE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING BLOCK AND STRUT TOWER AND ON THE LOWER STRUT MOUNT TO STEERING KNUCKLE SO THAT CAN BE REINSTALLED IN THE SAME POSITION. REMOVE UPPER STRUT MOUNTING NUTS, REMOVE THE STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS,REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT INTO THE STRUT TOWER ALIGNING THE PAINT MARKS MADE DURING REMOVAL.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 34 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL STRUT TO KNUCKLE BOLTS TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS. INSTALL ACTUATOR AND ENGAGE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IF EQUIPPED WITH AAS. INSTALL BRAKE HOSE AND ABS SENSOR HARNESS CLIPS OR BOLTS.INSTALL WHEEL AND CHECK ADJUST THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. TO ( REPLACE REAR SHOCKS ) REMOVE REAR WHEELS, REMOVE REAR PACKAGE TRIM. REMOVE SPEED SENSOR HARNESS, REMOVE TOP STRUT NUTS,THE SUSPENSION WILL DROP WHEN THE WEIGHT LIFTS OFF THE WHEELS. REMOVE BOTTOM STRUT BOLTS.REMOVE STRUT ASSEMBLY.TO INSTALL ***** INSTALL STRUT ASSEMBLY, INSTALL BOTTOM STRUT MOUNT BOLTS AND TIGHTEN TO 55 - 61 FT LBS.INSTALL UPPER MOUNTING NUTS AND TIGHTEN TO 33 - 46 FT LBS. INSTALL SPEED SENSOR HARNESS.INSTALL REAR PACKAGE TRIM. INSTALL REAR WHEELS.

The bolts are located under the rear deck (where the rear speakers are located) inside the car. First start by opening the fold down rear seats. There you will find 4 bolts holding the rear seat back. Remove them. Pull the seat back forward and lay it down on the rear seat. Next remove the rear deck. There are 2 plastic push-in clips that hold the rear deck. They located toward the front. Pull them out. Now the rear deck can be removed by sliding forward towards the front of the car. Under the rear deck is insulation which can be lifted out. Under the insulation are the bolts for each strut. Remove these bolts and the strut can be pulled out.

no it will not affect most of the time the front struts will go before the rear beaning that the front will receive more punishment then the rear

it is on the strut along side the air spring you should be able to see the air line going to it and the connector. off white color

The front has struts and the rear has shocks. I used Volvo OEMs. The rears are VERY easy to do yourself. The upper mounts are located behind the rear doors in the trunk area. It takes 15 minutes each to replace the rears.

The fronts are not difficult to remove if you have an air wrench + 6 sided socket, and a special star socket (14mm I think). You can find detailed instructions online. Once the front struts are out of the vehicle, you'll need to compress the springs before taking them apart. I did one myself using loaner spring compressors from Advanced Auto. I brought the second one into my local muffler shop because they have an industrial spring compressor. Make sure that you have a ride available to the nearest Volvo Parts dealer because once you get the struts apart, you'll probably need to replace the rubber bearing assembly in the strut that rotates when the wheel turns. There is also a rubber sleve that surrounds the strut to keep dirt out. The metal mount for his corrodes. The struts are a very important part of your steering, so if you do the fronts use care. Also, be aware that you'll probably be purchasing alot more parts than just the piston for the fronts. Suggest that you price it all out before proceeding.