Strut - Tension

STRUT - TENSION
REMOVAL
1. Raise and support vehicle.
2. Remove wheel mounting nuts (3).





3. Remove belly pan.





4. Loosen nut (3) attaching tension strut (2) ball joint stud to knuckle. Back nut off until nut is even with end of stud. Keeping nut on at this location will help keep end of stud from distorting while using Puller in next step.





CAUTION: In following step, use care not to damage ball joint seal boot while sliding Puller, Special Tool 9360, into place past seal boot.

5. Using Puller (1), Special Tool 9360, separate tension strut ball joint stud (2) from knuckle.





6. Remove nut (3) from end of tension strut (2) ball joint stud.
7. Rotate knuckle outward and push ball joint upward, out of knuckle.





CAUTION: If the tension strut bolt at the engine cradle has a lengthwise grooved shaft (2), it is a special wheel alignment adjustment bolt and the bolt head (1) must not be rotated in the vehicle or damage to the bolt and engine cradle will result. While holding the bolt in place with a wrench, remove the nut, then slide the bolt out of the bushing and cradle taking note of bolt positioning in engine cradle for reassembly purposes. The bolt needs to be installed in the same position as removed to make sure wheel camber and caster return to adjusted position.





8. Remove nut and bolt (2) securing tension strut (1) to engine cradle (3).
9. Slide tension strut out of cradle bracket and remove from vehicle.

INSTALLATION





NOTE: If installing a tension strut engine cradle bolt that is a wheel alignment adjustment bolt (lengthwise grooved shaft (2)), make sure to install it in the same position which it was in upon removal. For more details on installation of this special bolt.





1. Slide bushing end of tension strut (1) into cradle bracket (3).
2. Install mounting bolt (2) from front through cradle and bushing.
3. Install nut (2), but do not tighten at this time.





4. Insert tension strut (2) ball joint stud downward, into knuckle hole.
5. Completely install NEW nut (3) on ball joint stud attaching tension strut (2) to knuckle (1). Tighten nut by holding ball joint stud with a hex wrench while turning nut with a wrench. Tighten nut using crow foot wrench on torque wrench to 68 Nm + 90° turn (50 ft. lbs. + 90° turn) torque.





6. Install tire and wheel assembly. Tighten wheel mounting nuts (3) to 150 Nm (110 ft. lbs.) torque.
7. Lower vehicle.
8. Position vehicle on an alignment rack/drive-on lift.





9. Perform wheel alignment.

CAUTION: If the tension strut engine cradle bolt is a wheel alignment adjustment bolt (lengthwise grooved shaft (2)), be sure to only tighten the nut. Do not rotate the bolt head (1) or damage to the bushing will occur.





10. Once alignment is found to be within specifications, using a crowfoot wrench, tighten tension strut cradle bolt nut (2) to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.) torque while holding the bolt stationary
11. Install belly pan.