Front Suspension System: Removal & Installation Subaru Forester SH

REMOVAL

1. Lift up the vehicle
2. Remove the front under cover. REMOVAL , Front Under Cover .>
3. Remove the bolt and remove front crossmember support plate.

1. Large type

Scheme 20

1. Small type

Scheme 21

INSTALLATION

Install in the reverse order of removal.

Note. Tighten the small type crossmember support plate together with stabilizer bracket.

After installing the stabilizer bracket to the cross-member, tighten the crossmember support plate together.

Tightening torque

Crossmember support plate

60 N.m (6.1 kgf-m, 44.3 ft-lb)

Crossmember support plate (Tightened together with the stabilizer bracket)

25 N.m (2.5 kgf-m, 18.4 ft-lb)

Jack-up plate

60 N.m (6.1 kgf-m, 44.3 ft-lb)

Scheme 22

1. Lift up the vehicle, and then remove the front wheels.
2. Remove the front under cover. REMOVAL , Front Under Cover .>
3. Remove the front crossmember support plate. REMOVAL, Front Crossmember Support Plate .>
4. Remove the stabilizer link.
5. Remove the stabilizer bracket.

Scheme 23

Install in the reverse order of removal.

Scheme 24

Tightening torque

Stabilizer link

45 N.m (4.6 kgf-m, 33.2 it-lb)

Stabilizer bracket

25 N.m (2.5 kgf-m, 18.4 it-lb)

1. Using the ST, install the stud bolt. ST 20299AG020 STUD BOLT SOCKET Tightening torque: 110 N.m (11.2 kgf-m, 81.1 ft-lb)
2. Using new bolts and self-locking nuts, temporarily tighten the front arm to crossmember.
3. Secure the front arm to body, and then install the support plate with new bolts and self-locking nuts. Tightening torque: Support plate to Front arm: 110 N.m (11.2 kgf-m, 81.1 ft-lb) Support plate to Body: 150 N.m (15.3 kgf-m, 110.6 ft-lb)
4. Install the ball joint into housing. Tightening torque: 50 N.m (5.1 kgf-m, 36.9 ft-lb)
5. Install the stabilizer. INSTALLATION, Front Stabilizer .>
6. Install the front vehicle height sensor (models with auto headlight beam leveler, left side only). Tightening torque: 7.5 N.m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
7. Install the front vehicle height sensor connector (models with auto headlight beam leveler, left side only).
8. Install the front wheels.
9. Lower the vehicle from lift, and tighten the bolt which secures the front arm to crossmember with wheels in full contact with the ground and the vehicle at curb weight. Tightening torque: 95 N.m (9.7 kgf-m, 70.1 ft-lb)
10. Connect the battery ground cable to the battery.
11. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
12. Re-initialize the auto headlight beam leveler system (models with auto headlight beam leveler). PROCEDURE , Auto Headlight Beam Leveler System .>

1. Install the strut mount at the upper side of strut to body, and tighten it with new self-locking nuts. Tightening torque: 20 N.m (2.0 kgf-m, 14.5 ft-lb)
2. Align alignment marks on the camber adjusting bolt and strut. Using new self-locking nuts, install the strut to the housing. NOTE: While holding the head of adjusting bolt, tighten the self-locking nut. Tightening torque: 155 N.m (15.8 kgf-m, 114.3 ft-lb)
3. Secure the ABS wheel speed sensor harness to the strut. Tightening torque: 33 N.m (3.4 kgf-m, 24.3 ft-lb)
4. Install the bolts which secure the brake hose to the strut. Tightening torque: 33 N.m (3.4 kgf-m, 24.3 ft-lb)
5. Install the front vehicle height sensor (models with auto headlight beam leveler, left side only). Tightening torque: 7.5 N.m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
6. Install the front vehicle height sensor connector (models with auto headlight beam leveler, left side only).
7. Install the front wheels.
8. Connect the battery ground cable to the battery.
9. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
10. Re-initialize the auto headlight beam leveler system (models with auto headlight beam leveler). PROCEDURE , Auto Headlight Beam Leveler System .>

Scheme 25

Scheme 26

1. Using a coil spring compressor, compress the coil spring.
2. Using the ST, remove the self-locking nut. ST 20399AG000 STRUT MOUNT SOCKET
3. Remove the strut mount and upper spring seat from strut.
4. Gradually decrease the compression force of compressor, and remove the coil spring.
5. Remove the dust cover and helper spring.

Scheme 27

Scheme 28

Scheme 29

1. Before installing the coil spring, strut mount, etc. on strut, check for the presence of air in the dampening force generating mechanism of the strut since air prevents proper dampening force production.
2. Checking for presence of air Place the strut vertically with the piston rod facing up. Move the piston rod to the center of its entire stroke. While holding the piston rod end with fingers, move the rod up and down. If the piston rod moves 10 mm (0.39 in) or more in the former step, purge air from the strut.
3. Air purging procedure Place the strut vertically with the piston rod facing up. Fully extend the piston rod. With the piston rod fully extended, place the piston rod side down. The strut must stand vertically. Fully retract the piston rod. Repeat 3 or 4 times from the step (1). NOTE: After purging air from the strut, be sure to place the strut with the piston rod facing up. If the strut is laid down for any reason, check for the entry of air in accordance with "Checking for presence of air"
4. Using a coil spring compressor, compress the coil spring. NOTE: Make sure that the vertical install direction of the coil spring is as shown in the figure.
5. Set the coil spring correctly so that its end face seats well in the spring seat as shown in the figure.
6. Install the helper and dust cover to the piston rod.
7. Pull the piston rod fully upward, and install the spring seat. NOTE: Position the upper spring seat as shown in the figure.
8. Install the strut mount to piston rod, and temporarily attach and tighten a new self locking nut.
9. Using a hexagon wrench to prevent strut rod from turning, tighten the new self-locking nut with ST. ST 20399AG000 STRUT MOUNT SOCKET Tightening torque: 55 N.m (5.6 kgf-m, 40.6 ft-lb)
10. Loosen the coil spring compressor carefully.

1. Install in the reverse order of removal. CAUTION: Use a new bolt and self-locking nut. For parts which are not reusable, refer to "COMPONENT". COMPONENT, General Description .> Always tighten the stabilizer bushing in the state where the vehicle is at curb weight and the wheels are in full contact with the ground. Tightening torque: Crossmember to body: 95 N.m (9.7 kgf-m, 70.1 ft-lb) Engine mounting to Crossmember: 85 N.m (8.7 kgf-m, 63 ft-lb) Front arm to Crossmember: 95 N.m (9.7 kgf-m, 70.1 ft-lb) Front arm to Support plate: 110 N.m (11.2 kgf-m, 81.1 ft-lb) Support plate body: 150 N.m (15.3 kgf-m, 110.6 ft-lb) Tie-rod end to Housing: 27.0 N.m (2.75 kgf-m, 19.9 ft-lb) After tightening to the specified torque, tighten the castle nut further but within 60° until the hole in the ball stud is aligned with a slot in castle nut Tightening torque: Universal joint: 24 N.m (2.4 kgf-m, 17.4 ft-lb) Stabilizer bracket: 25 N.m (2.5 kgf-m, 18.4 ft-lb) Stabilizer link: 45 N.m (4.6 kgf-m, 33.2 ft-lb) Power steering hose to Steering gearbox: 15 N.m (1.5 kgf-m, 10.8 ft-lb) Front vehicle height sensor (models with auto headlight beam leveler, left side only): 7.5 N.m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft-lb)
2. Purge air from the power steering system.
3. Inspect the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
4. Re-initialize the auto headlight beam leveler system (models with auto headlight beam leveler). PROCEDURE , Auto Headlight Beam Leveler System .>