Front

DISASSEMBLY

WARNING: Do Not Remove The Strut Rod Nut Before The Coil Spring Is Compressed. The Coil Spring Tension Must Be Removed From The Upper Spring Seat First.

Strut Assembly Correctly Clamped In Vise:

1. Clamp the strut assembly in a vise, with the strut mounted vertically. 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.

Compressing Strut Assembly Coil Spring:

WARNING: When Compressing The Coil Spring For Removal, The First Full Top And Bottom Coils Of The Coil Spring Must Be Captured By The Jaws Of The Coil Spring Compressor So The Spring Can Be Fully Compressed For Removal.

3. Compress the strut assembly coil spring using Spring Compressor, Special Tool C-4838 until the tension is removed from the upper seat.

Strut Shaft Retaining Nut Removal/Installation:

4. Install Strut Nut Socket, Special Tool L-4558A (or L-4558), on the strut shaft retaining nut. 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.

Strut Mount:

5. Remove the strut assembly upper mount from the strut.

Upper Spring Seat Assembly:

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

Jounce Bumper:

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

Coil Spring:

8. Remove the coil spring from the strut.
9. Inspect the strut for any binding of the strut shaft over the full stroke of the shaft.

Upper Spring Mount And Isolator Assembly Components:

10. Inspect the strut mount and the upper spring seat assemble 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.

ASSEMBLY

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.

1. Clamp the strut assembly in a vise, with the strut mounted vertically. 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. The coil spring is to be installed with the smaller coil down. Guide the spring onto the lower seat so it butts up against the stop formed into the lower seat.
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 the upper spring seat on the coil spring aligning the alignment notch with the strut clevis bracket.
6. Install the upper strut mount on the strut assembly.
7. Install the strut shaft retaining nut on the shaft of the strut. Install Strut Nut Socket, Special Tool L-4558A (or L-4558), on the strut shaft retaining nut. Next, 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 the strut shaft retaining nut to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
8. Equally loosen both Spring Compressors, carefully seating the coil spring against the upper spring seat. Relieve all the tension from spring compressors and remove them from the coil spring.