Front Strut / Shock Tower: Service and Repair

STRUT ASSEMBLY

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before proceeding, Refer to Service Precautions.

1. Raise and support the vehicle.





2. Remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the tire and wheel assembly (1).

NOTE: If both strut assemblies are to be removed, mark the strut assemblies right or left and keep the parts separated to avoid mix-up. Not all parts of the strut assembly are interchangeable side-to-side.

NOTE: The ground strap attached to the rear of the strut mounts to the ear extending toward the front of the vehicle.





3. Remove the screw (4) securing the ground strap (3) to the rear of the strut.
4. If the vehicle is equipped with Antilock brakes (ABS), remove the screw (1) securing the wheel speed sensor routing bracket (2) to the rear of the strut.





CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-knuckle attaching bolts (2) are serrated and must not be turned during removal. Hold the bolts stationary in the knuckle while removing the nuts, then tap the bolts out using a pin punch.
5. While holding the bolt heads stationary, remove the two nuts (5) from the bolts (2) attaching the strut (1) to the knuckle (4).
6. Remove the two bolts (2) attaching the strut (1) to the knuckle (4) using a pin punch.
7. Lower the vehicle just enough to open the hood, but without letting the tires touch the floor.





8. Remove the three nuts (1) attaching the strut assembly upper mount to the strut tower (2).
9. Remove the strut assembly (3) from the vehicle.

DISASSEMBLY

NOTE: The Strut assembly must be removed from the vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.

For the disassembly and assembly of the strut assembly, use strut spring compressor, Pentastar Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equivalent, to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

WARNING: Do not remove the strut shaft nut before the coil spring is compressed. The coil spring is held under pressure and must be compressed, removing spring tension from the upper mount and pivot bearing, before the shaft nut is removed.

1. If both struts are being serviced at the same time, mark both the coil spring and strut assembly according to which side of the vehicle the strut is being removed from.





2. Position the strut assembly (3) in the strut coil spring compressor (5) following the manufacturers instructions. Set the lower hooks (1). Position the strut clevis bracket (4) straight outward, away from the compressor. Place a clamp (2) on the lower end of the coil spring, so the strut is held in place once the strut shaft nut is removed.





3. Lower the upper hooks (3) and set them on the coil spring following the manufacturers instructions.
4. Compress the coil spring until all coil spring tension is removed from the upper mount (2).

CAUTION: Never use impact or high speed tools to remove the strut shaft nut. Damage to the strut internal bearings may occur.





5. Once the spring is sufficiently compressed, install Strut Nut Wrench (2), Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft retaining nut. Next, install a socket on the hex on the end of the strut shaft. While holding the strut shaft from turning, remove the nut from the strut shaft.





6. Remove the upper mount (7) from the strut shaft.
7. Remove the upper spring seat and bearing (6), along with the upper spring isolator as an assembly from the top of the coil spring (5) by pulling them straight up. The upper spring isolator can be separated from the spring seat and bearing once removed from the strut.
8. Slide the dust shield (4), then the jounce bumper (3) from the strut shaft.
9. Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil spring and remove the strut out through the bottom of the coil spring.





10. Remove the lower spring isolator (2) from the lower spring seat on the strut (1).

NOTE: If the coil spring needs to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with Step 12.

11. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive completely. Push back the compressor hooks and remove the coil spring.





12. Inspect the strut assembly components for the following and replace as necessary:
- Inspect the strut (damper) (1) for shaft binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
- Inspect the jounce bumper (3) for cracks and signs of deterioration.
- Check the upper mount (7) for cracks and distortion and its retaining studs for any sign of damage.
- Check the upper spring seat and bearing (6) for cracks and distortion.
- Check for upper spring seat and bearing (6) for bearing binding.
- Inspect the dust shield (4) for rips and deterioration.
- Inspect the upper and lower spring isolators for material deterioration and distortion.
- Inspect the coil spring (5) for any sign of damage to the coating.

ASSEMBLY

NOTE: If the coil spring has been removed from the spring compressor, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with Step 3.





1. Place the coil spring (2) in the spring compressor (4) following the manufacturers instructions. Before compressing the spring, rotate the spring so the end of the top coil (1) is directly in front away from the compressor.
2. Slowly compress the coil spring until enough room is available for strut assembly reassembly.





3. Install the lower spring isolator (2) on the lower spring seat of the strut (1).





4. Install the strut (3) through the bottom of the coil spring until the lower spring seat contacts the lower end of the coil spring. Rotate the strut as necessary until the clevis bracket (4) is positioned straight outward away from the compressor. Install the clamp (2) on the lower end of the coil spring and strut, so the strut is temporarily held in place.





5. Slide the jounce bumper (3) onto the strut shaft. The jounce bumper is to be installed with the smaller end pointing downward toward the lower seat.
6. Install the dust shield (4) over the jounce bumper. Snap the bottom of the dust shield onto the retainer on top of the strut housing.
7. If disassembled, reinstall the upper spring isolator on the upper spring seat and bearing (6).
8. Install the upper spring seat and bearing (6) on top of the coil spring (5).





9. Position the notch (1) formed into the edge of the upper seat straight out away from the compressor. It should line up with the very end of the coil spring coil.





10. Install the strut upper mount (7) over the strut shaft, onto the top of the upper spring seat and bearing (6). Position the mount so that the third mounting stud on the mount top is inward toward the compressor, opposite the clevis bracket.

CAUTION: Never use impact or high speed tools to install the strut shaft nut. Damage to the strut internal bearings may occur.

11. Loosely install the retaining nut on the strut shaft (8).





12. Position Strut Nut Wrench (2), Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft retaining nut. Next, install a socket on the hex on the end of the strut shaft. While holding the strut shaft from turning, tighten the strut shaft retaining nut to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).
13. Slowly release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive completely. As the tension is relieved, make sure the upper mount and seat and bearing align properly. Verify the upper mount does not bind when rotated.





14. Remove the clamp (2) from the lower end of the coil spring and strut (3). Push back the spring compressor upper and lower hooks, then remove the strut assembly from the spring compressor.
15. Install the strut assembly on the vehicle.

INSTALLATION





1. Raise the strut assembly (3) into the strut tower (2), aligning the three studs on the strut assembly upper mount with the holes in strut tower. Install the three mounting nuts (1) on the studs. Tighten the three nuts to 26 Nm (19 ft. lbs.).

CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-knuckle attaching bolts (2) are serrated and must not be turned during installation. Install the nuts while holding the bolts stationary in the knuckle.





2. Position the lower end of the strut assembly (1) in line with the upper end of the knuckle (4), aligning the mounting holes. Install the two attaching bolts (2) from the front of the vehicle. Install the nuts (5). While holding the bolts in place, tighten the nuts to 163 Nm (120 ft. lbs.).
3. If equipped with antilock brakes, attach the wheel speed sensor routing bracket (2) to the rear of the strut (rearward ear) using its mounting screw (1). Tighten the mounting screw to 13 Nm (120 inch lbs.).





4. Attach the ground strap (3) to the rear of the strut (forward ear) using its mounting screw (4). Tighten the mounting screw to 13 Nm (120 inch lbs.).





5. Install tire and wheel assembly (1). Install and tighten wheel mounting nuts (3) to 135 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
6. Lower the vehicle.