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Home >> Buick >> 1998 >> Regal V6-3.8L VIN K >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering and Suspension >> Suspension >> Suspension Strut / Shock Absorber >> Service and Repair >> Rear Suspension

Rear Suspension






REMOVAL PROCEDURE
^ Tools Required:
- J 34013-B Strut Spring Compressor
- J 34013-20 Damper Rod Clamp
- J 34013-38 Alignment Rod
- J 34013-125 Strut Compressor Adapter
- J 34013-218 Modular Shock Support
- J 35669 Strut Rod Nut Remover and Installer

1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to WHEEL REMOVAL in TIRES AND WHEELS.
3. Remove the rear stabilizer shaft link. Refer to STABILIZER SHAFT LINK REPLACEMENT.
4. Scribe marks on the strut and the knuckle.
5. Remove the strut mount-to-body nuts.
6. Disconnect the strut from the knuckle.
7. Remove the strut from the vehicle.

DISASSEMBLE PROCEDURE
1. Install the strut (2) to the J34013-B. Use wing nuts to secure the tool to the mounting holes C and E/K. Position the wide end of the adapter outboard.

Important: Align the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125 so that the tools may open and close together. The tools will not open If the tools do not align properly.

2. Install the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125.
3. Install the strut (2) to the top of the J 34013-B.
4. Install the strut (2) into the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125.
5. Close the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125.

Important: Only one pin can be used for mounting.

6. Install the locking pin through the lower hole of J 34013-B and the strut lower mounting hole.
7. Turn the screw (1) on the J 34013-B counterclockwise to raise the strut up to the J 34013-125.
8. Compress the spring approximately 13 mm (0.50 in) or three to four complete turns of the operating screw.

CAUTION: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.

9. Insert the J 35669 on the nut.
10. Insert the J 34013-38 or a T-50 Torx(R) bit into the end of the shaft.
11. Use the J 35669 to remove the nut while preventing the rod from rotating with the J 34013-38 or a T-50 Torx(R) bit.
12. Discard the strut nut.
13. Turn the operating screw (1) on the J34013-B clockwise to fully relieve the spring compression.

ASSEMBLE PROCEDURE
1. Install the strut (3) to the J 34013-B. Use wing nuts to secure the tool to the mounting holes C and E/K. Position the wide end of the adapter outboard.

Important: Align the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125 so that the tools may open and close together. The tools will not open if the tools are not aligned properly.

2. Install the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125.
3. Install the strut (3) to the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125.
4. Close the J 34013-218 and the J 34013-125.

Important:
^ Use only one pin for mounting.
^ Position the top of the shock absorber flat against J 34013-125. The shock absorber will not align correctly if the shock absorber does not lay flat against the tool.

5. Install the locking pin through the lower hole of the J 34013-B and the lower knuckle mounting hole of the strut.
6. Install the strut (3) to the top of the J 34013-B.





7. Install the spring to the strut. Ensure to position the upper and lower spring seats correctly.
8. Install all the other components to the strut.
9. Turn the operating screw on the J 34013-B counter-clockwise in order to raise the strut up.
10. Fully extend the strut shaft.
11. Attach the J 34013-20. This prevents the shaft from retracting during compression.

Important: Align the J 34013-38 straight with the strut. If the J 34013-38 is not aligned, repeat steps 1 through 12 until the tool is straight.

12. Insert the J 34013-38 down through the top of the J 34013-B and onto the shaft.
13. Slowly Urn the operating screw counterclockwise in order to compress the spring until the threaded portion of the strut shaft is through the top of the strut.

CAUTION: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.

NOTICE: Keep the strut rod in a stationary position when you tighten the strut nut. Turning the strut rod may damage the strut.

14. Insert a new nut on the strut rod.

NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. The manufacturer will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. The manufacturer will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.

15. Place the J 35669 on the shock absorber nut.

Tighten
Tighten the shock absorber rod to upper mount to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).

16. Insert the J 34013-38 through the J 35669.
17. Tighten the shock absorber nut while holding onto the J 35669.
18. Remove the following tools from the J 34013-B
18.1. Remove the J 34013-20.
18.2. Remove the J 34013-38.
18.3. Remove the J 35669.
19. Remove the strut from the J 34013-B.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. The manufacturer will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. The manufacturer will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.

1. Install the strut mount to body nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the strut mount to body nuts to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.).

Important: Align the scribe marks to ensure proper alignment.

2. Install the rear suspension strut to the rear suspension knuckle.
3. Install the bolts and nuts which attach the strut to the knuckle.

Tighten
Tighten the strut to knuckle nuts to 112 Nm (82 ft. lbs.).

4. Connect the rear stabilizer shaft link to the strut. Refer to STABILIZER SHAFT LINK REPLACEMENT.
5. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to WHEEL INSTALLATION in TIRES AND WHEELS.
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Adjust the rear wheel alignment. Refer to FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT (FRONT TOE) AND FRONT TOE ADJUSTMENT (REAR TOE) IN WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
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