Removal and Installation
REMOVAL1. Turn ignition switch to OFF position and place steering column in unlocked position.
2. Remove front axle wheel hub retainer.
a. Remove wiring harness from routing clip on front shock absorber.
b. Remove air suspension height sensor from height sensor ball studs.
3. Loosen, but do not remove, three front shock absorber mounting bracket-to-shock tower nuts.
4. Raise vehicle on a hoist.
NOTE: Do not raise vehicle by front suspension lower arms.
5. Remove tire and wheel assembly.
6. Remove brake anti-lock sensor wire harness routing clip from front shock absorber. Remove brake hose bracket mounting screw and bracket from front shock absorber.
7. Remove cotter pin from tie rod end and remove slotted nut. Discard cotter pin and nut.
8. Using Tie Rod End Remover 211-001 or equivalent and Tie Rod End Remover Adapter 211-087, remove tie rod end from front wheel knuckle.
9. Remove stabilizer bar link nut, and remove stabilizer bar link from front shock absorber.
CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage boot seal. Do not use power tools to remove the nut or bearing and seal damage will result. Loosen the nut first, then remove nut from stud using the hex hold feature.
10. Using Rotunda Spring Compressor 014-00781 or equivalent, compress front coil spring until lower ball joint clears front suspension lower arm.
11. Remove and discard front wheel knuckle-to-shock absorber pinch bolt and nut. (A drift punch may be used to remove bolt.)
12. Press halfshaft from wheel hub. Wire halfshaft to body to maintain level position.
CAUTION: Do not allow the halfshaft to move outboard. Over-extension of the tripod CV joint could result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the halfshaft.
13. Remove three front shock absorber mounting bracket-to-shock tower nuts and compress front coil spring. Remove strut assembly from vehicle.
14. Remove Rotunda Spring Compressor 014-00781 or equivalent.
INSTALLATION
1. Install Rotunda Spring Compressor 014-00781 or equivalent on strut assembly and compress front coil spring.
2. Install strut assembly and three front shock absorber mounting bracket-to-shock tower nuts. Hand-tighten nuts.
3. Install front shock absorber into front wheel knuckle assembly. Remove Rotunda Spring Compressor 014-00781 or equivalent.
4. Install a new front shock-to-front wheel knuckle pinch bolt. Tighten to 98 - 132 Nm (72 - 97 ft. lbs.).
5. Install halfshaft into wheel hub.
6. Install stabilizer bar link to front shock absorber. Use care not to damage link ball joint boot seal.
CAUTION: Use extreme care not to damage boot seal. Do not use power tools to tighten nut or bearing and seal damage will result. Install nut using hex hold feature to prevent the stud from rotating.
7. Install a new stabilizer bar link nut. Tighten to 77 - 103 Nm (57 - 75 ft. lbs.).
8. Install tie rod end onto front wheel knuckle.
9. Install a new tie rod end slotted nut. Tighten to 47 - 63 Nm (35 - 46 ft. lbs.). If necessary, advance nut to install a new cotter pin.
10. Install brake anti-lock sensor wiring routing clip.
11. Install brake hose bracket and mounting screw. Tighten to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).
a. Position wiring harness in routing clip on front shock absorber.
b. Connect height sensor wiring connector.
12. Install tire and wheel. Tighten lug nut to 115 - 142 Nm (85 - 104 ft. lbs.).
13. Tighten three front shock absorber mounting bracket-to-shock tower nuts to 30 - 40 Nm (22 - 29 ft. lbs.).
14. Lower vehicle and tighten front axle wheel hub retainer to 230 - 275 Nm (170 - 202 ft. lbs.).