Front Suspension

Damper/Spring Replacement

Damper/Spring:

Special Tools Required
^ Ball joint thread protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000
^ Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SLOA202

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 front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the front wheel.





3. Remove the flange bolt (A) and brake hose mounting bracket (B) from the damper.





4. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, and remove the castle nut (B).

NOTE: During installation, install the new cotter pin after tightening the castle nut, and bend its end as shown.

5. Remove the lower arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover.





6. Remove the flange nuts (A) from the top of the damper.





7. Remove the flange bolt (A) at the bottom of the damper.





8. Lower the lower arm, and remove the damper assembly (A).

Disassembly/Inspection





1. Compress the damper spring, then remove the self-locking nut (A). 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 of the parts, except 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. Assemble all of the damper components except the self-locking nut onto the damper unit. Align the spring bottom end (A), the stepped part of the lower spring mounting cushion, and the step on the lower spring seat (B).
2. Install the damper assembly on a commercially available strut spring compressor (C).





3. Position the stud bolt (A) in the damper mounting base as shown.

Viewing from top
4. Compress the damper spring with the spring compressor.





5. Install a new self-locking nut (A) on the damper shaft.
6. Hold the damper shaft with a hex wrench (B), and tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque.

Installation





1. Lower the lower arm, and position the damper assembly (A) in the body.





2. Loosely install the new flange nuts (A) onto the damper studs.





3. Position the damper bottom on the lower arm (A), and connect the lower arm and the lower ball joint (B).
4. Install the new flange bolt (C), and lightly tighten.
5. Raise the suspension until the vehicle just lifts off the safety stand.





6. Install the castle nut (A) onto the lower ball joint pin, and tighten it to the specified torque value.
7. Install a new cotter pin (B).
8. Tighten the flange bolt connecting the damper bottom to the lower arm to the specified torque value.
9. Tighten the flange nuts on the top of the damper to the specified torque value.





10. Install the brake hose mounting bracket (A) and the flange bolt (B) to the damper, and tighten the bolt to the specified torque value.