Front Suspension

Strut and Spring Assembly





Removal

WARNING: Do not apply heat or flame to the shock absorber or strut tube. The shock absorber and strut tube are gas pressurized and could explode if heated. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: Keep all body parts clear of shock absorbers or strut rods. Shock absorbers or struts can extend unassisted. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

NOTE: Make sure the steering wheel is in the unlocked position.

1. Loosen the upper strut mount nuts.

2. Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires.

3. NOTE: Do not discard the wheel hub nut at this time.

Remove the wheel hub nut.

4. Remove the brake disc. For additional information, refer to Disc Brake System.

5. NOTE: No special tools are necessary to separate the tie rod from the front knuckle; use a mallet to loosen the joint.

Remove and discard the tie-rod end nut, then separate the tie rod from the wheel knuckle.

6. Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link upper nut.

7. Detach the wheel speed sensor harness from the strut.

8. Remove the bolt and the wheel speed sensor from the wheel knuckle. Position the wheel speed sensor aside.





9. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the stud from turning while removing the nut.

Using a crowfoot wrench, remove and discard the lower ball joint nut.

10. NOTICE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and knuckle into the resting position or damage to the ball joint seal may occur.

Push the lower arm downward until the ball joint is clear of the wheel knuckle.

11. NOTICE: Do not allow the halfshaft to move outboard. Overextension of the tripod Constant Velocity (CV) joint may result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the halfshaft.

Using the Front Wheel Hub Remover, press the halfshaft from the wheel bearing and hub. Support the halfshaft in a level position.





12. Remove and discard the 4 upper strut mount nuts.

13. Remove the wheel knuckle and the strut and spring as an assembly.

14. Remove and discard the strut-to-wheel knuckle nut and flagbolt.

15. Separate the strut and spring assembly from the wheel knuckle.

Installation

1. Position the wheel knuckle onto the strut and spring and install a new strut-to-wheel knuckle nut and flagbolt.
- Tighten the nut to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).

2. Install the wheel knuckle and the strut and spring as an assembly.

3. Loosely install the 4 new upper strut mount nuts.

4. While supporting the halfshaft in a level position, install the halfshaft into the wheel bearing and hub.

5. NOTICE: Use care not to damage the ball joint seal while installing the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle.

Push the lower arm downward and install the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle.

6. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the stud from turning while installing the nut.

Using a crowfoot wrench, install the new lower ball joint nut.

- Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).

7. Position the wheel speed sensor and install the bolt.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).





8. Attach the wheel speed sensor harness to the strut.

9. Install the new stabilizer bar link upper nut.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

10. Position the tie-rod end stud into the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

11. Install the brake disc. For additional information, refer to Disc Brake System.

12. NOTICE: Do not tighten the front wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. The nut must be tightened to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

Using the previously removed hub nut, seat the halfshaft.

- Tighten to 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).

- Remove and discard the hub nut.

13. NOTICE: The wheel hub nut contains a one-time locking chemical that is activated by the heat created when it is tightened. Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut to specification within 5 minutes of starting it on the threads. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or when not tightened within the specified time or damage to the components can occur.

NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

Install a new hub nut.

- Tighten to 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).

14. Install the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires.

15. Tighten the 4 upper strut mount nuts to 30 Nm (22 lb-ft).