Removal/Installation

Fig. 6 Steering knuckle & strut installation:

Fig. 7 Marking steering knuckle & strut alignment:

Care must be taken not to overextend driveshaft Tri-Pot joints when replacing suspension components. Overextending joint could cause separation of internal joint components, resulting in failure of the joint.
1. Remove nuts securing top of strut assembly to body, Fig. 6.
2. Raise vehicle and support frame with suitable stands, then remove wheel and tire.
3. Scribe reference marks between strut and steering knuckle as follows;
a. Scribe strut along lower outboard strut radius (A), Fig. 7.
b. Scribe strut flange on inboard side along curve of knuckle (B).
c. Scribe mark along strut/knuckle interface (C).
4. Disconnect brake line bracket from strut.
5. Remove bolts securing strut to steering knuckle, support knuckle with wire and remove strut.
6. Reverse procedure to install, aligning with scribe marks made during disassembly. Torque top mounting nuts to 18 ft. lbs. and strut to knuckle bolts to 145 ft. lbs., then check alignment.