Disassembly and Assembly: Disassembly

CAUTION: Do not damage piston rod on strut assembly when removing components from strut assembly.

Fix strut mounting insulator bracket and remove actuator fixing nut, then remove actuator plate from strut assembly.
CAUTION: Be careful not to deform actuator plate and strut mounting insulator.
Install the strut attachment (SST) to strut assembly and secure it in a vice.
CAUTION: Wrap a shop cloth around strut assembly to protect it from damage, when installing the strut attachment (SST) to strut assembly.

Fig 1: Installing Strut Attachment (SST) To Strut Assembly
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Compress coil spring using a spring compressor (commercial service tool) until coil spring is free.
CAUTION: Be sure spring compressor (commercial service tool) is securely attached to coil spring before coil spring is compressed. Compress coil spring.
After making sure coil spring with a spring compressor is free between spring upper seat and spring lower seat of strut assembly. Remove piston rod lock nut.
Remove strut mounting insulator, strut mounting bearing, spring upper seat, rubber seat, coil spring with spring compressor and bound bumper from strut assembly.

Fig 2: Compressing Coil Spring Using Spring Compressor (Commercial Service Tool)
Courtesy of NISSAN MOTOR CO., U.S.A.
Gradually release spring compressor (commercial service tool), and remove coil spring.
CAUTION: Loosen spring compressor while making sure coil spring attachment position does not move.
Remove lower rubber seat from strut assembly.
Remove the strut attachment (SST) from strut assembly.