Disassembly

1. Remove strut assembly requiring service from the vehicle.





2. Position the strut assembly in a vise, by clamping the strut by the steering arm. Using paint or equivalent, mark the strut unit, lower spring isolator, spring and upper strut mount for indexing of the parts at assembly.

CAUTION: When installing spring compressors on coil spring, do not position the spring compressors on the sleeves of the coil spring. Positioning the spring compressors on the sleeves could cause the sleeve to dislodge from the coil spring when it is compressed. This would result in the required replacement of the coil spring.

WARNING: Do not install the spring compressor on the coil spring in an area of the spring covered by a sleeve. If the sleeve moves when compressing the spring, the spring could come out of compressor resulting in personal injury.

3. Position Spring Compressors, Special Tool C-4838, or equivalent on the strut assembly spring. Compress coil spring until all load is removed from upper strut mount assembly.





4. Install Strut Rod Socket, Special Tool, L-4558 or L-4558A, or equivalents on strut shaft nut. Using a 10 mm socket on end of strut shaft to keep strut shaft from turning, remove strut shaft nut.





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





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





7. Remove the coil spring and the spring compressor as an assembly from the strut.





8. Remove the coil spring isolator from the lower spring seat on the strut.
9. Inspect all disassembled components for signs of abnormal wear or failure replacing any components as required. Inspect strut unit for signs of abnormal oil leakage and for loss of gas charge. To check for loss of gas charge in strut unit. Push strut shaft into body of strut and release, strut shaft should return to its fully extended position. If strut shaft does not return to its fully extended position replace strut unit.