Rear Strut Assembly
SHOCK ABSORBER ASSY REAR LH (2003 MY)REPLACEMENT
HINT: Replace the RH side by the same procedures with the LH side.
1. REMOVE REAR WHEEL
2. SEPARATE REAR STABILIZER LINK ASSY
a. Remove the nut and disconnect the stabilizer bar link from the shock absorber.
HINT: If the ball joint turns together with the nut, use a hexagon (5 mm) wrench to hold the stud.
3. REMOVE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
a. 2WD models: Remove the 2 bolts, disconnect the flexible hose and ABS speed sensor wire harness from shock absorber.
b. 4WD models: Remove the 3 bolts, disconnect the flexible hose, ABS speed sensor from shock absorber and rear axle carrier.
c. Loosen the 2 bolts on the lower side of the shock absorber.
HINT: Do not remove the 2 bolts.
d. Support the rear axle carrier with a jack.
e. Remove the cap.
f. Loosen the suspension support center nut.
NOTICE: Do not remove the nut.
HINT: If not disassembling the rear shock absorber, it is not necessary to loosen the nut.
g. Remove the 3 nuts of the suspension support.
h. Lower the rear axle carrier and remove the 2 nuts and bolts on the lower side of the shock absorber.
i. Remove the shock absorber with the coil spring.
4. SEPARATE SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING
a. Install 2 nuts and a bolt to the bracket at the lower part of the shock absorber, and secure it in a vise.
b. Using SST, compress the coil spring.
SST 09727-30021
NOTICE: Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage the SST
c. Remove the nut, collar and suspension support.
d. Remove the coil spring, spring bumper and lower insulator.
5. INSPECT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSY LH
a. Compress and extend the shock absorber rod, and check that there is no abnormal resistance or unusual operation sound.
If there is any abnormality, replace the shock absorber with a new one.
NOTICE: When disposing of the shock absorber, see DISPOSAL
6. INSTALL COIL SPRING TO SHOCK ABSORBER
a. Install the spring bumper.
b. Install the lower insulator, as shown in the illustration.
c. Using SST, compress the coil spring.
SST 09727-30021
NOTICE: Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage the SST.
d. Install the coil spring to the shock absorber.
HINT: Fit the lower end of the coil spring into the gap of the lower seat.
e. Align the suspension support with the shock absorber lower bracket, as shown in the illustration.
HINT: Check that the 2 flat faces of the piston rod are positioned in parallel with the 2 flat faces of the rear suspension support.
f. Install the collar to the piston rod.
g. Temporarily install a new nut.
h. Remove the SST.
SST 09727-30021
HINT: After removing SST, recheck the direction of the suspension support.
7. INSTALL REAR SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
a. Install the shock absorber with the coil spring and 3 nuts.
Torque: 39 Nm (400 kgf-cm, 29 ft. lbs.)
b. Install the shock absorber with the coil spring, 2 bolts and nuts.
Torque: 255 Nm (2,600 kgf-cm, 188 ft. lbs.)
c. 2WD models: Install the flexible hose and ABS speed sensor wire harness with the 2 bolts.
Torque:
A: Flexible hose: 19 Nm (194 kgf-cm, 14 ft. lbs.)
B: ABS speed sensor wire harness: 5.0 Nm (51 kgf-cm, 41 inch lbs.)
d. 4WD models: Install the flexible hose and ABS speed sensor with the 3 bolts.
Torque:
A: Flexible hose: 19 Nm (194 kgf-cm, 14 ft. lbs.)
B: ABS speed sensor wire harness: 5.4 Nm (55 kgf-cm, 48 inch lbs.)
C: ABS speed sensor: 19.5 Nm (198 kgf-cm, 14 inch lbs.)
e. Torque the nut in the center of suspension support.
Torque: 49 Nm (500 kgf-cm, 36 ft. lbs.)
HINT: If the shock absorber has not been disassembled, it is necessary to torque the nut.
f. Install the cap.
8. INSTALL REAR STABILIZER LINK ASSY
a. Install the stabilizer bar link to the shock absorber with the nut.
Torque: 39 Nm (400 kgf-cm, 29 ft. lbs.)
HINT: If the ball joint turns together with the nut, use a hexagon (5 mm) wrench to hold the stud.
9. INSTALL REAR WHEEL
Torque: 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.)
10. INSPECT REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DISPOSAL
HINT: Dispose the RH side by the same procedures with the LH side.
1. DISPOSE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSY LH
a. Fully extend the shock absorber rod.
b. Using a drill, make a hole in the cylinder as shown in the illustration to discharge the gas inside.
CAUTION: When drilling, chips may fly out, work carefully. The gas is colorless, odorless and non-poisonous.