Disassembly and Assembly
OVERVIEWThe Strut assembly must be removed from the vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled. Refer to Removal and Installation for the required procedure.
For the disassembly and assembly of the strut assembly, use strut spring compressor, Pentastar Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equivalent, to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.
DISASSEMBLY
1. If both struts are being serviced at the same time, mark the coil spring and strut assembly according to which side of the vehicle the strut was removed from, and which strut the coil spring was removed from.
2. Position the strut assembly in the strut coil spring compressor following the manufacturers instructions. The strut clevis bracket should be positioned outward. It will be necessary to turn the strut assembly so the steering arm will clear the compressor arm. Position the upper and lower hooks on the coil spring, then place a clamp on the lower end of the coil spring, so the strut is held in place once the strut shaft nut is removed.
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT SHAFT NUT BEFORE THE COIL SPRING IS COMPRESSED. THE COIL SPRING IS HELD UNDER PRESSURE AND MUST BE COMPRESSED, REMOVING SPRING TENSION FROM THE UPPER MOUNT AND PIVOT BEARING, BEFORE THE SHAFT NUT IS REMOVED.
3. Compress the coil spring until all coil spring tension is removed from the upper mount.
4. Install Strut Nut Socket, Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft retaining nut. Next, install a socket on the hex on the end of the strut shaft. While holding the strut shaft from turning, remove the nut from the strut shaft.
5. Remove the upper mount from the strut shaft.
6. Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil spring and remove the strut out through the bottom of the coil spring.
NOTE:
- If the seat and bearing, upper spring isolator, dust boot, or coil spring need to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 9.
- Before removal of the seat and bearing from the spring, note the flat on the inboard side of the seat and bearing outer perimeter. This must align with the inboard side of the strut (or rear of the clevis bracket) on reassembly. Also note the coil spring ending at the stop built into the seat and upper isolator.
7. Remove the seat and bearing, upper spring isolator and dust shield as an assembly from the top of the coil spring by pulling them straight up. They can be separated once removed from the vehicle. The jounce bumper cup may also come off when the assembly is removed. Check inside the dust shield.
NOTE: Before releasing the tension on the coil spring, note the position of the coil end on the upper end of the coil spring. When reinstalled, it must be positioned in the same spot for proper alignment of the seat and bearing, and the strut.
8. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive fully. Push back the compressor hooks and remove the coil spring.
9. Remove the jounce bumper cup and jounce bumper from the strut shaft by pulling each straight up and off the strut shaft. If the jounce bumper cup is not present, check inside the dust shield. It may have stayed inside the dust shield.
10. Remove the lower spring isolator from the lower spring seat on the strut.
11. Inspect the strut assembly components for the following and replace as necessary:
- Inspect the strut for any condition of shaft binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
- Inspect the jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.
- Check the upper mount for cracks and distortion and its retaining studs for any sign of damage.
- Check the upper seat and bearing for cracks and distortion.
- Check for binding of the seat and bearing pivot bearing.
- Inspect the dust shield for rips and deterioration.
- Inspect the upper and lower spring isolators for material deterioration.
- Inspect the coil spring for any sign of damage to the coating.
ASSEMBLY
NOTE: If the coil spring has been removed from the spring compressor, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 5.
1. Place the coil spring in the compressor following the manufacturers instructions. Before compressing the spring, rotate the spring to the position noted in the note between steps 7 and 8.
2. If disassembled, reinstall the upper spring isolator and dust shield on seat and bearing. Match the step in the isolator with the step in the seat and bearing.
3. Install the seat and bearing (with dust shield attached) on top of the coil spring. Position the step built into the seat and upper spring isolator against the coil end of the coil spring.
4. Install the lower spring isolator on the lower spring seat of the strut. The tabs on the isolator will align it on the strut spring seat. They straddle the expanded area of the lower spring seat on the strut.
5. Install the jounce bumper on the strut shaft. The jounce bumper is to be installed with the smaller end pointing downward toward the lower seat.
6. Install the jounce bumper cup on the strut shaft. The cupped side goes on first.
7. Install the strut through the bottom of the coil spring until the lower spring seat contacts the lower end of the coil spring. The inboard side of the strut (or rear of the clevis bracket) should align with the flat on the inboard side of the seat and bearing outer perimeter. Install the clamp on the lower end of the coil spring and strut, so the strut is held in place.
CAUTION: Before installing the upper mount, make sure the correct upper mount is being installed on the strut. DO NOT install a right mount on a left front strut or a left mount on a right front strut. Incorrect mount installation may cause poor vehicle ride and steering feel, and excessive front end noise. A lead or drift condition may also be the result. Left and right mounts look similar, but are different from one another. Looking down at the top of the upper mount, 2 tabs can be seen down inside the mount center well. A rectangular hole can be seen on the edge of the mount mounting surface. This is always in the 10 o'clock position when observing rubber tab positioning, whether a left or right mount is being observed. Once this hole is located in the 10 o'clock position, the tabs should be in the positions as shown. The right upper mount should also have a white dot painted on its mounting face.
8. Install the strut upper mount over the strut shaft and onto the top of the seat and bearing. Loosely install the retaining nut on the strut shaft.
9. Install Strut Nut Socket (on the end of a torque wrench), Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft retaining nut. Next, install a socket on the hex on the end of the strut shaft. While holding the strut shaft from turning, tighten the strut shaft retaining nut to a torque of 94 Nm (70 ft. lbs.).
10. Slowly release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive fully. As the tension is relieved, make sure the upper mount and seat and bearing align properly. Verify the upper mount does not bind.
11. Remove the clamp from the lower end of the coil spring and strut. Push back the spring compressor upper and lower hooks, then remove the strut assembly from the spring compressor.
12. Install the strut assembly on the vehicle. Refer to Removal and Installation for the required procedure.