Removal and Installation

NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure, review SERVICE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS found under Service Precaution.

REMOVAL
1. Raise the vehicle, refer to Maintaince for procedure.
2. Remove tire and wheel assembly from location on front of vehicle requiring strut removal.
3. If both strut assemblies are to be removed, mark the strut assemblies right or left according to which side of the vehicle they were removed from.






4. Remove the screw securing the ground strap to the rear of the strut.
5. If the vehicle is equipped with Antilock brakes (ABS), remove the screw securing the ABS wheel speed sensor to the rear of the strut.

CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-steering knuckle attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned during removal. Hold the bolts stationary in the steering knuckle while removing the nuts, then tap the bolts out using a pin punch.

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Part 2 Of 2:

6. Remove the two bolts attaching the strut to the steering knuckle.
7. Lower the vehicle just enough to open the hood, but without letting the tires touch the floor.






8. Remove the three nuts attaching the upper mount of the strut assembly to the vehicle's strut tower.
9. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
10. For disassembly and assembly procedures, refer to Disassembly and Assembly.

INSTALLATION
1. Install the strut assembly into the strut tower, aligning the three studs on the strut upper mount with the holes in strut tower. Install the three mounting nuts on the studs. Tighten the three nuts to a torque of 34 Nm (300 inch lbs.).
2. Close the hood of the vehicle.

CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-steering knuckle attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned during installation. Install the nuts while holding the bolts stationary in the steering knuckle.

3. Position the lower end of the strut assembly in line with the upper end of the steering knuckle and align the mounting holes. Install the two attaching bolts. The bolts should be installed with so that the nuts face towards the front of the vehicle once installed. Install the nuts. Holding the bolts in place tighten the nuts to a torque of 53 Nm (40 ft. lbs.) plus an additional 90° turn after the specified torque is met.
4. If the vehicle is equipped with Antilock brakes (ABS), attach the ABS wheel speed sensor to the rear of the strut (rearward ear) using its mounting screw. Tighten the mounting screw to a torque of 13 Nm (120 inch lbs.).
5. Attach the ground strap to the rear of the strut (forward ear) using its mounting screw. Tighten the mounting screw to a torque of 13 Nm (120 inch lbs.).
6. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Install and tighten the wheel mounting nuts in proper sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specification. Next, repeat the tightening sequence to the full specified torque of 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
7. Lower the vehicle.