Strut Disassembly/Assembly

Strut Disassembly:

Strut Assembly:

TOOLS REQUIRED (or equivalents)
^ Strut compressor tool J-26584.
^ Adapter J-26584-86.
^ (2) Top adapters J-26584-88.

CAUTION: Care should be taken to avoid chipping or cracking the spring coating when handling the front suspension coil spring. Damage to the coating can cause premature failure.

DISASSEMBLY
1. Clamp strut compressor tool J-26584 in a suitable vise.
2. Place strut assembly in bottom adapter of compressor tool and install J-26584-86.

CAUTION: Making sure that the adapter captures the strut and that locating pins are fully engaged.

3. Rotate strut assembly to align top mounting assembly lip with strut compressor support notch.
4. Insert BOTH J-26584-88 top adapters between top mounting assembly and top spring seat. Position top adapters so that split line is perpendicular to spring compressor.
5. Rotate compressor forcing screw clockwise until top support flange contacts the J-26584-88 top adapters. Continue rotating forcing screw until strut spring is compressed approximately 0.5 of an inch (4 complete turns).

CAUTION: Do not bottom the spring or strut damper rod.

6. Remove damper shaft top nut, then remove strut mounting assembly from damper shaft.
7. Rotate forcing screw counterclockwise to relieve spring tension. Remove top adaptors, bottom adaptor, spring and remaining components from strut assembly.

ASSEMBLY
1. Perform Steps 1 & 2 as outlined in the "Disassembly" procedure above.
2. Rotate strut assembly until mounting flange is facing outward, opposite compressor forcing screw.
3. Position spring on strut, making sure spring is properly seated on bottom spring plate.
4. Install strut spring seat assembly and J-26584-88 top adapters over strut spring seat assembly.
5. Turn compressor forcing screw until compressor top support just contacts top adapters.

NOTE: Do NOT compress spring at this time.

6. Install a long extension and socket onto hex on damper shaft, through the top spring seat to align components during installation.

CAUTION: NEVER place a hard tool such as pliers or a screwdriver against the polished surface of the damper shaft as it may be scratched, which could cause the seal to leak. The shaft can be held up from the top end with your fingers, or with the extension, to prevent it from receding into the strut assembly, while the spring is being compressed.

7. Compress spring by turning screw clockwise until approximately 1.5 inches of damper shaft extends through spring plate.

CAUTION: Do NOT compress spring until it bottoms.


8. Remove extension and socket, position top mounting assembly over damper shaft and install retaining nut and torque to 90 Nm (68 ft lbs).
9. Turn forcing screw counterclockwise, remove top adapters and bottom adapter, then remove strut assembly from compressor.