Installation Procedure
- Extend the strut to its limit of travel.
- Install the hollow bumper and dust boot to the strut shaft.
- With the spring in the compressor, install the strut into the spring.
- Assemble the upper spring seat onto the strut shaft and align the flat with the strut to knuckle mounting bracket.
- Assemble the top mount onto the strut shaft and align the flat 180 degrees from flat on the upper spring seat.
- Loosely install the strut shaft nut.
- Hold the strut shaft and use the J 42991
strut rod nut socket or equivalent hand tools to tighten the shaft while verifying that the upper spring seat flats align with the top mount.
Tighten the strut shaft to 55 N.m (41 lb ft).
- Release the tension on the J 45400 strut spring compressor.
- Remove the strut assembly from the J 45400 strut spring compressor.
The end of the coil sits up against the tab on the spring seat.
The anti-rotation tab on the spring seat must face 180 degrees from the direction that the knuckle bracket points.
Do not handle the top mount assembly by the plastic portion. Handle the top mount assembly by the metal portion when removing/installing the top mount from/to the strut assembly. Holding the top mount assembly by the plastic portion may loosen the snap fit of the bearing components and cause the bearing to fall apart.
The flat on the metal plate of the top mount assembly must face the same direction of the anti-rotation tab on the spring seat.
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.
Refer to Fastener Caution .