Disassembly

DISASSEMBLY

The strut assembly must be removed from vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.

For the disassembly and assembly of the strut assembly, use of Strut Spring Compressor, team PSE tool 223-7400, or the equivalent, is recommended to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

WARNING: Do not remove strut shaft nut before coil spring is compressed. Coil spring is held under pressure and must be compressed, removing spring tension from upper mount and pivot bearing, before shaft nut is removed.





1. Position strut assembly (1) in strut coil spring compressor (2) following manufacturers instructions. Position lower hooks on coil spring first, then uppers.
2. Compress coil spring until all coil spring tension is removed from upper mount.




3. Install Strut Nut Wrench (3), Special Tool 6864, on strut shaft retaining nut. Next, install a socket onto hex located on end of strut shaft. While holding strut shaft from turning, remove nut from strut shaft.
4. Remove upper mount (2) from strut shaft.




5. If pivot bearing (1) needs to be serviced, remove it from top of upper spring seat (2).
6. If upper spring seat (2) or isolator needs to be serviced, remove from top of coil spring by pulling both up off spring, then removing isolator from seat.
7. Remove clamp from bottom of coil spring and remove strut out through bottom of coil spring.

NOTE: If coil spring needs to be serviced, proceed with next step, otherwise, proceed with step 10.





8. If not previously removed, lift pivot bearing (3), upper spring seat (4) and isolator (5) off coil spring (6).

NOTE: Prior to removing spring from compressor, note location of lower spring coil end in relationship to compressor to ease assembly of components later.

9. Release tension from coil spring by backing off compressor drive fully. Push back compressor upper hooks and remove coil spring from spring compressor.
10. Remove dust shield (7) and jounce bumper (8) as an assembly from strut (10). Dust shield cannot be separated from jounce bumper until after it is removed from strut shaft.
11. Remove jounce bumper (8) from dust shield (7). Jounce bumper is removed from dust shield by collapsing dust shield until jounce bumper can be pulled free from dust boot.
12. Remove spring isolator (9) from lower spring seat on strut (10).
13. Inspect strut assembly components for following and replace as necessary:
- Inspect strut (10) for any condition of shaft binding over full stroke of shaft.
- Check upper mount (2) for cracks and distortion and its retaining studs for any sign of damage.
- Check upper seat (4) for stress cracks and wear.
- Check upper (5) and lower (9) spring isolators for severe deterioration.
- Inspect coil spring (6) for coating cracks or any sign of damage.
- Check pivot bearing (3) binding.
- Inspect dust shield (7) for rips and deterioration.
- Inspect jounce bumper (8) for cracks and signs of deterioration.