Front Suspension Service

REMOVAL

1. Raise and support vehicle and remove front wheels.
2. Remove three brake caliper to knuckle attaching bolts, then remove caliper and support out of way.
3. Remove tie rod ball joint to steering knuckle attaching nut and, using suitable puller, remove ball joint from steering knuckle.
4. Remove nut and adjustment shims securing sway bar to control arm, noting number of adjustment shims between end of bar and control arm bushing.
5. Remove control arm to body bracket attaching bolt and nut.
6. Remove hub nut.
7. Support front suspension and remove three strut to body attaching nuts in engine compartment.
8. Slide suspension assembly off CV joint shaft and remove assembly from vehicle. Secure axle shaft to keep it from slipping out of differential.

DISASSEMBLY

1. Remove two strut assembly to knuckle attaching bolts and nuts and remove strut assembly.
2. Remove locating pin and bolt securing brake disc to hub, then remove disc and plate.
3. Remove control arm ball joint to knuckle attaching nut, then, using suitable puller, remove ball joint from knuckle.
4. Place knuckle in press and remove hub.
5. Using suitable tool, remove ring nut retaining bearing in knuckle and remove bearing.
6. Place tool A 74278 or equivalent on strut assembly and place strut assembly in tool A 74277 or equivalent.
7. Ensure one bolt at each end of strut assembly is in depression used to position spring on plate.
8. Tighten three bolts on tool A 74278 until they contact spring check plate.
9. Crank tool A 74277 until spring is compressed approximately one inch.
10. Using suitable wrench to hold shock absorber stud, remove nut holding upper mount to shock absorber.
11. Carefully uncrank tool A 74277 until spring is fully relaxed.
12. Remove strut from tool and separate parts.

INSPECTION

Control Arms

1. Check control arms for cracks or distortion, replacing as necessary.
2. Check ball joint for excessive play. Check swivels and protective boots for cracks or breaks. Replace entire control arm if damaged.
3. Check rubber bushing for wear or deterioration. If replacement is necessary, proceed as follows:
a. Place control arm in press and, using suitable tool, press bushing out of control arm.
b. Mount control arm on tool A 74271 or equivalent.
c. Coat new bushing with suitable lubricant and place bushing on tool, then, using press, install bushing in control arm. Press installer down so that tabs on installer contact tool.
d. Place a new spacer for bushing on installer with the tool spacer on installer.
e. Screw tip onto installer and install spacer in control arm bushing, then remove tip and tool.

Knuckle

Carefully check knuckle for cracks. Ensure that areas of contact with outer ring of hub bearing are smooth and free from signs of binding. Replace knuckle if damage or wear is evident.

Coil Springs

Check coils for cracks or distortion. Check spring performance. Check support plates for condition. Replace parts as necessary.

Shock Absorber

Check shock absorber for leaks or faulty performance and replace as necessary.

Sway Bar

Check sway bar for cracks or distortion and the mounting pads and rubber bushings for wear, replacing as necessary.

ASSEMBLY

1. Press bearing into knuckle until seated, then screw octagonal lock ring into threaded sections. Bearing must be replaced every time wheel hub is disassembled.
2. Using suitable tools, press hub in knuckle.
3. Install control arm on knuckle and secure ball joint to knuckle, torquing nut to 40 ft.lbs.
4. Install brake disc on hub with locator pin and bolt.
5. Using suitable tools, reassemble shock absorber and coil spring, then mount strut assembly on knuckle with two bolts and nuts but do not tighten bolts.

INSTALLATION

1. Install sway bar, if removed.
2. Position studs on top of strut assembly through bolt holes in engine compartment and loosely secure strut assembly with nuts and washers.
3. Slide shaft of CV joint through hub and secure shaft in hub with flat washer and nut.
4. Attach tie rod to steering arm, torquing attaching nut to 25 ft.lbs.
5. Apply suitable lubricant to sway bar bushing in control arm.
6. Using same number of shims as were removed, loosely attach sway bar to control arm.
7. Loosely attach control arm to bracket on body.
8. Install brake caliper and support on knuckle.
9. Torque hub nut to 159 ft.lbs. and stake collar of nut.
10. Install wheels and tighten strut upper mounting bolts in engine compartment.
11. Set wheels straight ahead and load vehicle to equivalent of 4 persons plus luggage.
12. Torque nuts as follows: sway bar nut at control arm, 43 ft.lbs.; control arm bolt at body, 29 ft.lbs.; sway bar bracket bolt or nut, 36 ft.lbs.; strut lower mounting bolts, 53 ft.lbs.