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. Set the lower, then upper hooks on the coil spring. Position the strut clevis bracket straight inward toward the compressor. 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. Once the spring is sufficiently compressed, 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.
7. Remove the dust shield, then the jounce bumper from the strut shaft by pulling each straight up.
8. Remove the lower spring isolator from the lower spring seat located on the strut.
NOTE: If the coil spring needs to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 10.
NOTE: Before removing the coil spring from the compressor, make not of its position in the compressor, for easy reassembly.
9. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive completely. Push back the compressor hooks and remove the coil spring.
10. 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 strut.
- 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.
- Inspect the dust shield for rips and deterioration.
- Inspect the upper and lower spring isolators for material deterioration and distortion.
- 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 3.
1. Place the coil spring in the compressor following the manufacturers instructions. Before compressing the spring, rotate the spring to the position determined in the note prior to step 9 in disassembly.
2. Slowly compress the coil spring until enough room is available for strut assembly reassembly.
3. Install the lower spring isolator on the lower spring seat of the strut matching the step built into the isolator with the step in the lower spring seat on the strut.
4. Install the jounce bumper on the strut shaft. The jounce bumper is to be installed with the pointed end pointing downward toward the lower seat.
5. Install the dust shield on the strut shaft. The bottom of the dust shield will snap past the retainer on top of the strut housing.
6. Install the strut through the bottom of the coil spring until the lower spring seat contacts the lower end of the coil spring. Rotate the strut until the end of the coil spring fits against the step in the lower spring seat. If done correctly, the clevis on the bottom of the strut should face toward the compressor.
7. Install the clamp on the lower end of the coil spring and strut, so the strut is held in place with the coil spring.
NOTE: Before installing the upper mount, check to make sure the correct side mount is being installed. Left and right upper mounts are different. A left mount will be marked with the letter "L" while a right mount will be marked with the letter "R".
8. Install the upper mount over the strut shaft and onto the top of the upper spring. Near the center on the top of the mount is the word "OUT" and an arrow. Point the arrow on the mount in the same direction that the clevis bracket on the lower end of the strut is pointed in. This direction should be straight toward the compressor.
9. Loosely install the retaining nut on the strut shaft. 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 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
10. Slowly release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive completely. As the tension is relieved, make sure the upper mount's seat aligns properly with the coil spring.
11. Verify the arrow on the upper mount is pointing in the same direction as the strut clevis bracket as mentioned in step 9.
12. 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.
13. Install the strut assembly on the vehicle. Refer to Removal and Installation for the required procedure.