I have a 2003 Hyundai Elantra that I inherited when my dad passed. He bought it new. I recently bought tires from the Boys of Pep, and they pointed out to me that the struts were original, and, since the car has about 120,000 miles on it, should be replaced. I got the Monroe Quick-Strut assemblies that come with new springs. I watched a YouTube video from 1A Auto Parts that showed how to do it, and it actually wasn't too hard. It requires more muscle than skill, and my car rides a lot better now. I need to do the rears, too, but that doesn't look quite so easy.
Then I discovered that the driver's side headlight was out. I replaced the passenger-side headlight bulb a while back, and it wasn't a big deal. However, to do the driver's side, you have to pull the engine. OK, not quite, but there's one of those plastic covers that has to be removed, which for some reason is also bolted to the airbox, and you have to pull the battery out. I had forgotten about the spring clip that holds the bulb. When you touch it, it shoots out into the engine compartment at approximately 300 miles per hour. I think the hardest part of the whole deal was figuring out how to put that stupid clip back in. Anyway, they managed to take a job that, on many cars, requires no tools, and make it a real pain.
Then I discovered that the driver's side headlight was out. I replaced the passenger-side headlight bulb a while back, and it wasn't a big deal. However, to do the driver's side, you have to pull the engine. OK, not quite, but there's one of those plastic covers that has to be removed, which for some reason is also bolted to the airbox, and you have to pull the battery out. I had forgotten about the spring clip that holds the bulb. When you touch it, it shoots out into the engine compartment at approximately 300 miles per hour. I think the hardest part of the whole deal was figuring out how to put that stupid clip back in. Anyway, they managed to take a job that, on many cars, requires no tools, and make it a real pain.
