Front Suspension

Strut and Spring Assembly

WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure, REFER to Safety Warnings . Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Exploded View










Removal

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1. Remove the wheel and tire. REFER to Wheel and Tire .

2. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove or install the stabilizer bar link nuts or damage to the stabilizer bar link ball joints or boots may occur.

NOTICE: Do not hold the stabilizer bar link boot with any tool or damage to the boot may occur.

NOTICE: Use the internal or external hex-holding feature to prevent the ball and stud from turning while removing or installing the stabilizer bar link nuts. The link boot seal must not be allowed to twist while tightening the link nuts or damage to the boot seal will occur.

NOTE: The stabilizer bar links are designed with low friction ball joints that have a low breakaway torque.
Position aside the brake flexible hose, stabilizer bar link and the ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) sensor harness in the sequence shown.

1. Remove the brake flexible hose bracket bolt and position aside the brake flexible hose.
- To install, tighten to 11 Nm (97 lb-in).

2. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link upper nut and position aside the stabilizer bar link and the ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) sensor harness from the strut.
- To install, tighten the new stabilizer bar link upper nut to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).






3. Remove and discard wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt. To install, tighten the new wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 180 degrees.





4. Remove the inner strut upper bolt in the sequence shown.

1. Remove the outer air vent grille.

2. Remove the outer cowl panel screw and washer.
- To install, tighten the outer cowl panel screw to 2 Nm (18 lb-in).

3. Remove the inner cowl panel screw and washer.
- To install, tighten the inner cowl panel screw to 2 Nm (18 lb-in).

4. Remove the inner strut upper bolt.
- To install, tighten the inner strut upper bolt to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).






5. Remove the 2 remaining strut upper bolts in the sequence shown.

1. Raise the cowl panel grille a maximum of 50 mm (2 in) to gain access to the 2 remaining strut upper bolts.

2. Remove the 2 remaining strut upper bolts.
- To install, tighten the strut upper bolts to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).





6. Separate the strut and spring assembly from the wheel knuckle and remove from the vehicle.

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

- For additional information on the disassembly and assembly of the strut and spring assembly. REFER to Strut and Spring Assembly .

2. Check and, if necessary, align the front end. REFER to Camber and Caster Adjustment - Front .