struts

[abew330]

Strut and Coil Spring

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Front

coil spring and strut component

1. Remove Negative battery cable

WARNING
Do not support the weight of the vehicle on the suspension arm; the arm will deform under its weight.

1. Remove Wheel
2. Disconnect the brake hose from the strut.
3. With ABS brakes, disconnect wiring harness
4. Remove Bolts and strut.
5. remove Strut

To disassemble the strut:

1. • Compress the coil spring.
   • Remove the dust cover and hold the spring seat so that it will not turn. Remove the nut on the top of the strut.
   • Remove the suspension support, bearing, dust seal, spring seat, spring, insulators and bumper.

To install:

1. To assemble the strut:
   • Install the spring bumper to piston.
   • Using a spring compressor, compress the spring.
   • Install the coil spring to the strut. Fit the lower end of the coil spring into the gap of the lower seat.
   • Install the spring seat with the insulator.
   • Install the dust seal on the spring seat.
   • Install the suspension support and tighten 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm).
   • Pack multipurpose grease into the suspension support mount. Install the dust cover.
2. Insert the 2 bolts from the rear side and tighten the strut-to-steering knuckle arm bolts. Tighten: 156 ft. lbs. (211 Nm)
3. Install or connect the following:
   • Brake line to the strut
   • If equipped with ABS, secure/connect the wiring harness.
   • Wheel
   • Negative battery cable
   • Check alignment.
   • Once vehicle is back on floor bounce the vehicle a few times to stabilize the suspension, then RE-tighten the strut.

Rear

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable from the battery..
   • Rear seat cushion and any trim necessary to access the strut towers.
2. Support the axle beam with a jack.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Wheel
   • brake caliper support bracket. Leave the brake line connected.
   • With ABS, remove sensor wire from the strut.
   • Endlink
4. Loosen the fasteners securing the strut to the axle carrier. Do not remove the bolts at this time.
5. Support the axle carrier with a jack.
6. Remove Strut tower nuts

CAUTION
Do not loosen the center nut on the top of the strut piston.

1. Strut
2. To disassemble the strut:

A. Compress the spring until the upper suspension support is free of any spring tension. Do not over-compress the spring.
B. Hold the upper support, then remove the nut on the end of the shock piston rod.
C. Remove the support, coil spring, insulator, and bumper.
To install:

1. Assemble the strut as follows:

. Loosely assemble all components onto the strut assembly. Be sure the spring end aligns with the hollow in the lower seat.
A. Align the upper suspension support with the piston rod and install the support.
B. Align the suspension support with the strut lower bracket. This assures the spring will be properly seated top and bottom.
C. Compress the spring to expose the strut piston rod threads.
D. Install a new strut piston nut and tighten to the following:

1. 1. • 36 ft. lbs. (49 Nm)

E. Remove the spring compressor.

1. Place the strut on the vehicle and install the nuts to hold the strut to the strut tower. Nuts: 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm)
2. Install or connect the following:

1. • Strut to the axle carrier and install the bolt and nut. Do not tighten at this time.
   • Stabilizer link to the strut.
   • Wheel. Bounce the vehicle up and down to stabilize the suspension.
2. With the vehicle weight on the suspension, tighten the bolt holding the strut to the axle carrier 188 ft. lbs. (255 Nm)
3. Install or connect the following:
   • Rear seat cushion and any trim.
   • Negative battery cable.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Heh! Pretty good step-by-step for the uninitiated. But it's NEVER as easy as it sounds. Ever.

[timmythturtle]

I can second that. I installed new struts in december and it took a lot longer than I expected. try to get an air powered spring compressor. the manual ones take forever