Rear Suspension

Damper/Spring Replacement

Damper/Spring:

NOTE: When compressing the damper spring, use a commercially available strut spring compressor (Branick MST-580A or Model 7200, or equivalent). According to the manufacturer's instructions.

Removal
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the flange bolt (A) from the bottom of the damper.





4. Remove the cargo area side trim panel.
5. Remove the flange nuts (A) from the top of the damper in the trunk.





6. Remove the damper assembly from the body.





Disassembly/Inspection
1. Compress the damper spring, then remove the self locking nut (A) while holding the damper shaft (B) with a hex wrench (C). Do not compress the spring more than necessary to remove the nut.





2. Release the pressure from the strut spring compressor, then disassemble the damper as shown in the Exploded View.
3. Reassemble all the parts, except for the spring.
4. Compress the damper assembly by hand, and check for smooth operation through a full stroke, both compression and extension. The damper should extend smoothly and constantly when compression is released. If it does not, the gas is leaking and the damper should be replaced.





5. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or binding during these tests.

Reassembly
1. Install all the parts except the damper mounting washer and the self-locking nut onto the damper unit by referring to the Exploded View. Align the bottom of the spring (A) and the stepped part of the lower spring seat (B), and align the damper mounting base as shown.





2. Install the damper assembly on commercially available strut spring compressor (C).
3. Compress the damper spring with the spring compressor.
4. Install the washer (A) and a new self-locking nut (B) on the damper shaft.





5. Hold the damper shaft with a hex wrench (C), and tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque value.

Installation
1. Position the damper assembly in the body. Note the direction of the damper mounting base so that the small hole dot on it is toward the front and inside of the vehicle.





2. Loosely install the flange nuts (A) onto the top of the damper.





3. Loosely install the flange bolt (A) on the bottom of the damper.





4. Raise the suspension with a floor jack to load the vehicle weight, and tighten the nuts and bolt to the specified torque values.
5. Install the cargo area side trim panel.
6. Clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the rear wheel.
7. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary.