Disassembly and Assembly: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Nissan Pathfinder. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Set the shock absorber in a vise, then loosen (without removing) the piston rod lock nut as shown in illustration below.
CAUTION: Do not remove piston rod lock nut at this time.
Compress the coil spring using commercial service tool until the shock absorber mounting insulator can be turned by hand.
WARNING: Make sure that the pawls of the two spring compressors are firmly hooked on the coil spring. The spring compressors must be tightened alternately and evenly so as not to tilt the coil spring.

Fig 1: Compressing Coil Spring Using Commercial Service Tool
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove the piston rod lock nut.
- Discard the piston rod lock nut, use a new nut for assembly.
Remove the components from the shock absorber.
- Keep the coil spring compressed in the commercial service tool if reusing it for assembly.
  
  Fig 2: Removing Piston Rod Lock Nut Using Tool
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.