Disassembly - Strut Assembly

The strut assembly must be removed from the vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.

For the disassembly and assembly of the strut assembly, use of Strut Spring Compressor, Pentastar Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equivalent, is recommended to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

1. Position the strut assembly in the strut coil spring compressor following the manufacturers instructions. Position the lower hooks on the coil spring first. The strut clevis bracket should be positioned straight outward from the compressor.
2. Turn the upper mount of the strut assembly toward the inside of the compressor as shown to allow positioning of the compressor upper hooks (Fig 1 ). Position the upper hooks on top of the coil spring upper seat approximately 1 inch from outside diameter of seat (Figure ). Do not allow hooks to be placed closer to edge.  Place a clamp on the lower end of the coil spring, so the strut is held in place once the strut shaft nut is removed.
   Fig 1: Identifying Mount Rotated And Hooks Positioned

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
3. Compress the coil spring until all coil spring tension is removed from the upper mount.
4. Install Strut Nut Socket, Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft retaining nut (Fig 2 ). Next, install a 10 mm socket on the hex on the end of the strut shaft. While holding the strut shaft from turning, remove the nut from the strut shaft.
   Fig 2: Removing/Installing Retaining Nut (Typical)

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
5. Remove the upper mount from the strut shaft.
6. If the pivot bearing needs to be serviced, remove it from the top of the coil spring upper seat by pulling it straight up.
7. Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil spring and remove the strut out through the bottom of the coil spring.
NOTE: If the coil spring or upper spring seat needs to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step  10 .
8. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive fully. Push back the compressor upper hooks and remove the upper spring seat with upper spring isolator.
9. Remove the coil spring from the spring compressor.
10. Remove the dust shield and jounce bumper as an assembly from the strut shaft by pulling both straight up and off the strut shaft. The dust shield cannot be separated from the jounce bumper until after it is removed from strut shaft.
11. Remove the jounce bumper from the dust shield. The jounce bumper is removed from the dust shield by collapsing the dust shield until the jounce bumper can be pulled free from the dust boot.
12. Remove the spring isolator from the lower spring seat on the strut (Figure ).
13. Inspect the strut assembly components (Figure ) for the following and replace as necessary:
    • Inspect the strut for any condition of shaft binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
    • Check the upper mount for cracks and distortion and its retaining studs for any sign of damage.
    • Check the upper seat for stress cracks and wear.
    • Check the upper spring isolator for severe deterioration.
    • Check for binding of the strut assembly pivot bearing.
    • Inspect the dust shield for rips and deterioration.
    • Inspect the jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.