Strut Tower Brace: Service and Repair

FRONT STRUT BAR

COMPONENTS:

REMOVAL





1. REMOVE FRONT STRUT BAR
(a) Disengage the hose clamp from the front strut bar.
(b) Remove the 6 nuts and then remove the front strut bar.





2. REMOVE FRONT STRUT BAR BRACKET LH
(a) Remove the bolt and then remove the front strut bar bracket LH from the front strut bar.





3. REMOVE FRONT STRUT BAR BRACKET RH
(a) Remove the bolt and then remove the strut bar bracket RH from the front strut bar.

INSPECTION





1. INSPECT FRONT STRUT BAR
(a) Cause the front strut bar to expand and contract 4 times or more. Check that there is no abnormal resistance/noise, operational resistance, bends/scratches on the rod or oil leakage. If these are found, replace the front strut bar with a new one.

NOTICE: When disposing of the front strut bar, see DISPOSAL.

INSTALLATION





1. TEMPORARILY TIGHTEN FRONT STRUT BAR BRACKET LH
(a) Install the front strut bar bracket LH to the front strut bar with the bolt.





2. INSTALL FRONT STRUT BAR BRACKET RH
(a) Install the front strut bar bracket RH to the front strut bar with the bolt.
Torque: 52 Nm (530 kgf/cm, 38 ft. lbs.)





3. INSTALL FRONT STRUT BAR
(a) Install the front strut bar with the 6 nuts.
Torque: 39 Nm (398 kgf/cm, 29 ft. lbs.)
(b) Engage the hose clamp to the front strut bar.





4. FULLY TIGHTEN FRONT STRUT BAR BRACKET LH
(a) Fully tighten the nut.
Torque: 52 Nm (530 kgf/cm, 38 ft. lbs.)

DISPOSAL
1. DISPOSE OF FRONT STRUT BAR
(a) Fully extend the front strut bar.





(b) Using a drill, make a hole in the cylinder between A and B as shown in the illustration to discharge the gas inside.

NOTICE:
^ Be careful when drilling because shards of metal may fly about, so always use the proper safety equipment.
^ The gas is colorless, odorless and nonpoisonous.