Front

FRONT STRUT

^ TOOLS REQUIRED
- J45400 Strut Spring Compressor

REMOVAL

CAUTION: MAKE SURE VEHICLE IS PROPERLY SUPPORTED AND SQUARELY POSITIONED ON THE HOIST. TO HELP AVOID PERSONAL INJURY WHEN A VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST, PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE VEHICLE ON THE OPPOSITE END FROM WHICH COMPONENTS ARE BEING REMOVED.





1. Remove Strut Assembly-to-Body fasteners.
2. Raise vehicle on hoist.
3. Remove wheel and tire assemblies.





4. Remove brake hose bracket from strut assembly.

IMPORTANT: Do not remove fasteners at this time.





5. Loosen steering knuckle to strut fasteners.

NOTICE: Hold ball stud from turning when removing nut. The boot can become torn and damaged if the ball stud turns.





6. Remove stabilizer bar link-to-strut assembly attachment nut, and move link toward rear of vehicle.

NOTICE: Before removing strut assembly, place a rag over CV joint boot to protect it from damage.





7. Remove steering knuckle to strut fasteners and discard nuts and bolts.
8. Remove strut assembly from vehicle.

DISASSEMBLY

CAUTION: STRUT SPRING IS UNDER HIGH COMPRESSIVE LOAD. DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT TO UPPER SUPPORT NUT WITHOUT FIRST UNLOADING THE UPPER AND LOWER SPRING SUPPORTS OF SPRING PRESSURE, USING THE PROPER SPRING COMPRESSING TOOL.

IMPORTANT: Follow instructions of tool manufacturer for correct and disassembly.





1. Using Strut Spring Compressor J45400 (or equivalent), mount strut assembly in spring compressor.
1.l Adjust lower legs of spring compressor to lowest possible coil of spring assembly.
1.2 Adjust upper legs of spring compressor to highest possible coil of spring assembly.
1.3 Inspect strut assembly to insure hooks on strut compressor legs are properly installed on spring coils.
1.4 Inspect strut assembly to insure that strut assembly is completely parallel with strut compressor.





2. Compress spring enough to completely unload upper strut mount.
3. Remove strut shaft nut: with a wrench, while holding strut shaft stationary with a HEX socket.

IMPORTANT: Do not remove from spring compressor assembly.





4. Remove strut from spring assembly.
5. Remove upper strut mount assembly. Inspect upper strut mount for cracks or deterioration. Rotate upper support bearing by hand and check for smooth operation.
6. Remove strut shaft dust shield and inspect for cracks, rips, and deterioration.
7. Remove hollow bumper from strut shaft. Inspect for cracks or deterioration.

ASSEMBLY

NOTICE: Follow assembly instruction carefully. Failure to assemble strut properly may create noise and result in premature upper spring seat failure.





1. Assemble strut:
1.1 Extend strut to limit of travel.
1.2 Assemble hollow bumper and dust shield onto strut shaft.
1.3 With spring still in compressor, install strut into spring.
1.4 Assemble upper spring seat onto strut shaft and align flat with strut-to-knuckle mounting bracket.
1.5 Assemble top mount onto strut shaft and align flat 180° from flat on upper spring seat.
1.6 Assemble strut top nut but do not tighten.
1.7 Tighten strut top nut with a wrench while holding strut shaft with a socket.
1.8 Verify that flats on upper spring seat and top mount are aligned properly.
Torque:
Strut Shaft Nut: 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.)
2. Release spring compressor tool.





3. Remove strut from strut compressor

INSTALLATION

NOTICE: Use new nuts. Torque retention of old nuts may not be sufficient.

1. Attach strut to vehicle body with strut-to-body nuts and bolt.
Torque:
Front Strut-to-Body Nuts: 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)
Torque:
Front Strut-to-Body Bolt: 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.)





2. Attach strut to steering knuckle with new fasteners.
Torque:
Steering Knuckle-to-Strut: 180 Nm (133 ft. lbs.)

NOTICE: Hold ball stud from turning when installing nut. The boot can become torn and damaged if the ball stud turns.





3. Install stabilizer bar link to strut assembly
Torque:
Stabilizer Link-to-Strut Nut: 65 Nm (48 ft. lbs.)
4. Inspect boots for damage and replace link assembly if damaged.
5. Reattach brake hose assembly bracket to strut.
Torque:
Brake Hose Bracket-to-Strut: 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.)

NOTICE: Before installing wheel, remove rust or corrosion from wheel mounting surfaces and brake rotors. Failure to do so can cause wheel nuts to loosen in service.

6. Position wheel onto hub.
7. Install wheel nuts and tighten in a crisscross pattern.
Repeat tightening pattern to be sure torque is correct.
Torque:
Wheel Nuts: 125 Nm (92 ft. lbs.)
8. Lower vehicle from hoist.
9. Perform vehicle wheel alignment.