- Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning
of this section.
- Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
- Place the strut assembly in a vise with a holding tool and install a spring
compressor.
- Compress the spring slightly.
- Loosen but do not remove the bearing cap locknut.
- Compress the spring with the spring compressor, then remove the locknut.
- Remove or disconnect the following:
- Strut bearing cap, mounting insulator bracket and upper spring seat
- Coil assembly, leaving the spring compressed
- Strut boot and rebound bumper from the strut. Inspect and replace if
worn.
- Strut retainer nut using a suitable wrench
- Strut insert from the assembly
To install:
- Install or connect the following:
- Strut into the chamber and install the retainer nut. Tighten the nut
snugly.
- Rebound bumper and the boot to the strut piston rod
- Coil spring on the strut assembly. Be sure the spring is properly positioned
on the lower bracket.
- Upper spring seat, mounting insulator and bearing cap. Be sure the upper
spring seat is facing the proper direction.
- Locknut and tighten to 36-43 ft. lbs. (49-59 Nm)
- Loosen and remove the spring compressor from the coil spring.
- Install the strut to the vehicle.
- Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning
of this section.
- Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle and secure in a soft jawed vise.
- Compress the coil spring with a spring compressor until the upper spring
seat can be turned by hand.
- Remove the self-locking nut on the top of the strut assembly, then remove
the upper spring seat.
- Remove the coil spring and compressor. If the spring is being replaced,
slowly release the spring from the compressor and compress the new coil spring.
To install:
- Place the proper end of the coil spring on the lower spring seat on the
strut.
- Install the insulator, upper spring seat and strut mount on the strut piston.
Install a new self-locking nut. Tighten the nut to 36-43 ft. lbs. (49-59 Nm).
- Slowly release the spring compressor.
- Install the strut on to the vehicle.