Front

Fig. 2 Installing coil spring compressor. Except Tempo & Topaz:

Fig. 3 Installing coil spring compressor. Tempo & Topaz:

1. Raise and support vehicle, then remove tire and wheel assembly.
2. Remove brake hose retaining bracket from strut.
3. On Tempo and Topaz models, remove brake caliper, brake rotor, and tie rod end.
4. Place suitable jack under lower control arm and raise strut as far as possible without raising vehicle.
5. On models except Tempo and Topaz, install spring compressor tool No. T81P-5310A or equivalent by placing top jaw on second coil from top and bottom jaw so as to grip a total of 5 coils, then compress spring until there is about {1-8} inch between any 2 coils, Fig. 2.
6. On Tempo and Topaz models, install spring compressor tool No. 14-0259 or 86-0016 by placing top jaw on 5th or 6th coil from bottom, then compress spring a minimum of 3{1-2} inches, Fig. 3. Spring must be compressed before strut is removed to insure that no excessive force is applied to constant velocity universal joints.

Fig. 4 Removing shock absorber strut top mounting nut. 1981---82:

Fig. 5 Removing shock absorber strut top mounting nut. 1983---86 exc. Tempo & Topaz:

Fig. 6 Removing shock absorber strut top mounting nut. Tempo & Topaz:

Fig. 7 Separating shock absorber strut from knuckle:

7. Remove steering knuckle-to-strut pinch bolt, then loosen two top mount to apron nuts and top strut shaft nut. When loosening or tightening strut-to-mount nut, hold 6 mm Allen wrench, Fig. 4, or hold 8 mm hex with a deep socket {1-4}-inch drive wrench, Figs. 5 and 6, and turn only the nut.
8. Lower jack from control arm, then using a large screwdriver, spread knuckle-to-strut pinch joint.
9. Place block of wood 2 x 4 x 7{1-2} inches against knuckle shoulder. Using suitable pry bar between wood block and lower spring seat, separate strut from knuckle, Fig. 7.
10. Remove two top mounting nuts, then the strut, spring, and top mount assembly from vehicle.
11. On 1981---82 vehicles, install 18 mm deep socket onto strut shaft nut. Insert 6 mm Allen wrench into shaft end, then clamp mount into vise, Fig. 4.
12. On 1983---86 except Tempo and Topaz, place 18 mm deep socket tool No. D81P-18045-A1 or equivalent on strut shaft nut. Place an 8 mm deep socket, {1-4} inch drive onto shaft end and clamp mount into vise, Fig. 5.
13. On Tempo and Topaz, place 18 mm deep socket tool No. D81P-18045-A1 or equivalent on strut shaft nut. Insert an 8 mm hex deep socket with {1-4}-inch drive wrench and clamp strut into vise, Fig. 6.
14. On all vehicles, remove top shaft mounting nut from shaft while holding Allen wrench or {1-4}-inch drive socket. Do not clamp directly on strut with vise as damage to strut may result.
15. Remove strut top mount components and, except on Tempo and Topaz, spring. On Tempo and Topaz models, check spring insulator for damage to splash shield.
16. On Tempo and Topaz models, remove spring compressor from strut and remove spring.

Fig. 8 Installation of shock absorber strut top mounting components. Except Tempo & Topaz:

Fig. 9 Installation of shock absorber strut top mounting components. Tempo & Topaz:

17. Reverse procedure to install. Refer to Figs. 8 and 9 for proper installation sequence of top mount components. On except Tempo and Topaz models, torque strut shaft nut to 48---62 ft. lbs., on Tempo and Topaz models, torque strut shaft nut to 35---50 ft. lbs. Install new steering knuckle pinch nut and torque to 66---81 ft. lbs. On except Tempo and Topaz models, torque two top mount attaching nuts to 22---29 ft. lbs. On Tempo and Topaz models, torque two top mount attaching nuts to 25---30 ft. lbs.