Front Suspension Strut

Strut Assembly Replacement

Special Tools

J-42468 - Front Strut Mount Nut Wrench

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the strut nut cap, if equipped.





Caution: Do not allow the absorber rod to rotate during disassembly/reassembly. Use hand tools to keep the absorber rod from rotating. If air tools are used, and the rod is allowed to rotate, damage to the absorber may occur.

2. Use a wrench in order to hold the piston rod while loosening the strut assembly-to-body nut with the J-42468 - Front Strut Mount Nut Wrench or equivalent.

Note: Raise and support the vehicle on a frame contact hoist, not on a suspension contact hoist. Support the front lower control arm with a jack stand near the ball joint in order to avoid overextending the CV joints and the brake hose.

3. Raise and support the vehicle in order to access the bottom and the top of the strut. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
4. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).




5. Remove the ABS speed sensor wire, if equipped, from the strut bracket.
6. Remove the brake hose from the strut bracket.
7. Remove the stabilizer shaft link upper nut.
8. Remove the stabilizer shaft link upper stud from the strut bracket.




9. Remove the nuts and the bolts from the strut.
10. Remove the strut assembly-to-body nut with the J-42468 - Wrench or equivalent.

Caution: Care should be taken to avoid chipping or cracking the spring coating when handling the front suspension coil spring. Failure to observe this notice may result in spring breakage.

11. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

1. Install the strut assembly into the vehicle with the strut assembly-to-body nut and tighten to 60 Nm (44 lb ft). Use a wrench in order to hold the piston rod while tightening the nut with the J-42468 - Wrench or equivalent.
2. Install the strut nut cap, if equipped.




3. Install the strut to the knuckle.
4. Install the nuts and the bolts to the strut and tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).
5. Install the stabilizer shaft link upper stud to the strut bracket.
6. Install the stabilizer shaft link upper nut and tighten to 50 Nm (37 lb ft).
7. Install the brake hose to the strut bracket.
8. Install the ABS speed sensor wire, if equipped, to the strut bracket.
9. Install the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
10. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.