Strut Assembly Replacement

Removal Procedure

Caution: To avoid any vehicle damage, serious personal injury or death when major components are removed from the vehicle and the vehicle is supported by a hoist, support the vehicle with jack stands at the opposite end from which the components are being removed.

^ Tools Required
- J36660-A Torque/Angle Meter
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the front wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring from the strut assembly.
4. Remove the brake wear indicator wires from the strut assembly.
5. Remove the brake flex hose clip from the strut assembly.





6. Remove the brake flex hose from the strut assembly.

Important: Support the brake caliper assembly. DO NOT allow it to hang freely or damage may occur to the flex hose.





7. Remove the brake caliper assembly bolts from the steering knuckle.
8. Remove the brake caliper assembly from the steering knuckle. Do not open the brake hydraulic system.





9. Remove the stabilizer shaft link nut.
10. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the strut assembly.





11. Remove the lower strut mounting bolts from the steering knuckle.
12. Lower the vehicle.





13. Remove the upper support plate protective cap.
14. Remove the upper support plate nut.
15. Remove the upper support plate.
16. Remove the strut assembly from the wheel well.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the strut assembly into the strut tower through the wheel well.
2. Install the upper support plate.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

3. Install the upper support nut.
^ Tighten the upper support nut to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the protective cap for the upper support nut.
5. Raise the vehicle.





6. Install the steering knuckle to the strut.
7. Install the steering knuckle to the strut bolts (use new bolts installed form the front toward the rear of the vehicle).
8. Tighten the steering knuckle to the strut bolts until snug. The bolts will not be tightened to specifications until after the final camber corrections have been made.





9. Install the stabilizer shaft link to the strut assembly.
10. Install the stabilizer shaft link nut.
^ Tighten the stabilizer shaft link nut to 65 Nm (48 ft. lbs.).

Important:
^ Run a M12 x 1.5 tap through the holes for the brake caliper assembly bolts to clean out the old locking compound.
^ Use new bolts for the brake caliper assembly connection to the steering knuckle.
^ Coat the bolts with locking compound. Use GM P/N 12345493 Goodwrench 272 Threadlocker, or equivalent.





11. Install the brake caliper assembly to the steering knuckle.
Use the J36660-A to tighten the brake caliper assembly bolts to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.) + 37 degrees.





12. Install the brake flex hose to the strut assembly.
13. Install the clip to the strut assembly.
14. Install the wheel speed sensor wire to the strut assembly.
15. Install the brake wear indicator wires to the strut assembly.
16. Install the front wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Adjust the wheel alignment. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment.