Front

DISASSEMBLE
1. Clamp the strut assembly in a vise, with the strut in a vertical position. When clamping the strut assembly in the vise, do not clamp strut using the body of the strut only by strut clevis bracket.
2. Mark coil spring and strut assembly right or left, according to which side of the vehicle the strut was removed from, and which strut coil spring was removed from.

WARNING:
- Do not remove strut rod nut, before strut assembly coil spring is compressed, removing spring tension from upper spring seat and bearing assembly.

- When compressing coil spring for removal from strut assembly, the first full top and bottom coil of the coil spring must be captured by the jaws of the coil spring compressor.

3. Compress the strut assembly coil spring, using Spring Compressor, Special Tool C-4838, or equivalent.





4. Install Socket, Strut Nut, Special Tool L-4558A (or L-4558), or equivalents on the strut shaft retaining nut. Then install a 10 mm socket on the hex of the strut damper shaft. While holding strut shaft from turning, remove the strut shaft retaining nut.





5. Remove the strut assembly mount/isolator from the strut.





6. Remove the upper spring seat, pivot bearing and dust shield as an assembly from the strut.





7. Remove the jounce bumper from the shaft of the strut assembly.





8. Remove the coil spring from the strut assembly. Mark left and right on the coil springs for their installation back on the correct side of the vehicle.

WARNING: If a replacement coil spring is to be installed on the strut assembly, the first full top and bottom coil of the spring must be captured by the jaws of the coil spring compressor.

9. Inspect the strut for any binding of the strut shaft over the full stroke of the shaft.





10. Inspect the strut mount and the upper spring seat assembly for any of the following conditions:
- Mount for cracks and distortion and retaining studs for any sign of damage.
- Severe deterioration of rubber isolator,
- Binding strut assembly pivot bearing. If pivot bearing is replaced it is to be installed with the white side of bearing facing up.
- Inspect dust shield for rips and/or deterioration.
- Inspect jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.
11. Replace any components of the strut assembly found to be worn or defective during the inspection, before assembling the strut.

ASSEMBLE
1. Clamp the strut assembly in a vise, with the strut in a vertical position. When clamping the strut assembly in the vise, do not clamp strut using the body of the strut only by strut clevis bracket.
2. Install the compressed coil spring onto the strut. Coil spring is to be installed with smaller coil down, so spring correctly seats on strut assembly.
3. Install jounce bumper on the strut shaft.
4. Install dust shield, pivot bearing and upper spring seat as an assembly on the strut.
5. Position upper spring seat alignment notch with clevis bracket on strut assembly.
6. Install strut mount on strut assembly and the strut mount retaining nut on the shaft of the strut assembly.

WARNING: The following 2 steps must be completely done before spring compressor, special tool C-4838 is released from the coil spring.

7. Install Socket, Strut Nut, Special Tool L-4558A (or L-4558), or equivalents on the strut shaft retaining nut. Then install a 10 mm socket through the center of the socket and on the hex of the strut shaft. While holding strut shaft from turning, torque strut shaft retaining nut to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
8. Equally loosen both Spring Compressors, Special Tool C-4838, or equivalent until top coil of spring is fully seated against upper spring seat and strut mount. Then relieve all tension from spring compressors and remove spring compressors from strut assembly spring.