Removal
REMOVAL - STRUT ASSEMBLY (REAR)NOTE: When removing rear strut assembly from vehicle, access to the 3 rear strut assembly-to-strut tower attaching nuts is through the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
1. Remove the rear seat cushion from the interior of the car.
2. Remove the rear seat back assembly.
3. Remove both upper quarter trim panels from the rear of the vehicle interior.
4. Remove both lower quarter trim panels from the rear of the vehicle interior.
5. Remove the rear parcel shelf trim panel from the vehicle interior.
NOTE: The speaker should be removed from the vehicle with the mounting plate attached
6. Remove the 4 screws securing the rear speaker and mounting plate in place for the side of the vehicle requiring repair. Unplug the wiring from the speaker, then remove the speaker and mounting plate from the vehicle.
7. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact hoist.
8. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.
9. Remove the rear caliper assembly from the adapter. After removing the caliper assembly, store the caliper by hanging it from the underside of the vehicle. Do not let the rear caliper assembly hang by flexible brake hose.
10. If loose on wheel mounting studs, remove rear brake rotor from hub.
11. If the vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes, remove the wheel speed sensor from the disc brake caliper adapter by removing the bolt, then the sensor.
12. Remove the lateral links from the spindle. This requires the removal of one long bolt attaching both links to the spindle.
13. Install a thin wrench on the hex of the stabilizer bar attaching link stud to keep the stud from turning in the link. Next, remove the nut from the stabilizer bar attaching link stud at the stabilizer bar. Remove the link from the stabilizer bar.
14. Loosen and fully remove, the rear spindle to strut assembly pinch bolt.
CAUTION: When inserting center punch into rear spindle, use care so point of center punch does not puncture strut assembly.
15. Insert a center punch into the hole on the spindle. Center punch must be tapped into spindle until jammed into hole. This will spread spindle casting allowing it to be removed from strut assembly.
16. Using a hammer and a brass drift punch, tap on top surface of spindle driving it down and off the end of the strut assembly.
17. Let the rear spindle and assembled components hang from the trailing arm while the strut assembly is out of the vehicle.
18. Lower vehicle enough to access rear passenger compartment.
NOTE: When removing rear strut assembly from vehicle, access to the 3 rear strut assembly-to-strut tower attaching nuts is through the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
19. Mark the location of the 3 strut assembly-to-rear strut tower attaching nuts.
20. Remove the 3 strut assembly-to-rear strut tower attaching nuts, then remove strut assembly from vehicle.
21. Remove the nut, washers and rubber isolators securing the stabilizer bar link to the strut.
22. For disassembly of the strut assembly, refer to Disassembly.