HUB/BEARING & KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Note. If suspension component fails or becomes bent or damaged, DO NOT straighten or repair. Replace with NEW component.
Disassembly
- Position strut assembly in vise by clamping steering arm. Using paint, index mark strut housing, lower spring isolator, spring and upper strut mount for reassembly reference. Position Spring Compressor (C-4838) on spring, and compress spring until all load is removed from strut mount. Ensure at least 5 spring coils are captured within spring compressor jaws.
- Install Strut Rod Socket (6864) on strut shaft nut. Install another socket onto hex on end of strut shaft to keep strut shaft from turning. Remove upper strut mount. Remove clamp from bottom of coil spring and remove strut out through bottom of coil spring. Remove seat and bearing, upper spring isolator, and dust shield as an assembly from top of coil spring.
Reassembly
| CAUTION | Before installing upper mount, make sure correct upper mount is being installed on strut. DO NOT install right mount on left front strut, or left mount on right front strut. Incorrect mount installation may cause poor vehicle ride and steering feel, and excessive front end noise. A lead or drift condition may also result. Left and right mounts look similar, but are different from one another. Looking down at top of upper mount, 2 tabs can be seen down inside mount center well. A rectangular hole can be seen on edge of mount mounting surface. This is always in 10 o'clock position when observing rubber tab positioning, whether left or right mount is being observed. Once hole is located in 10 o'clock position, tabs should be in positions. Right upper mount should also have a White dot painted on mounting face. |
- Place coil spring in compressor. Reinstall upper spring isolator and dust boot onto seat/bearing. Install seat/bearing and dust shield onto top of coil spring, matching isolator step with seat/bearing step. Install lower spring isolator on lower spring seat of strut. Install seat/bearing and dust boot onto top of coil spring, positioning seat step and upper spring isolator against end of coil spring.
- Install lower spring isolator on lower spring seat of strut. Isolator tabs will align to strut spring seat. Install jounce bumper on strut shaft. Install cushion with smaller end pointing toward lower seat. Install cushion cup on strut shaft.
- Install strut through bottom of coil spring until lower spring seat contacts lower end of coil spring. Secure strut by installing clamp on lower end of coil spring and strut. Install strut upper mount over strut shaft and onto top of seat/bearing. Loosely install retaining nut on strut shaft.
- Install Strut Nut Socket (6864) on strut shaft retaining nut. Install another socket on hex on end of strut shaft, to keep strut shaft from turning. Tighten to specification.
- Slowly release tension from coil spring. Remove clamp from lower end of coil spring and strut. Remove strut assembly from spring compressor.