Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Disassembly

NOTE: The Mc Pherson Strut must be remove from the vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.





1. Clamp strut assembly in vise, with strut in a vertical position. Do not clamp reservoir of strut assembly in vise, only clamp strut assembly using strut clevis bracket.
2. Mark coil spring and strut assembly right or left, according to which side of vehicle strut was removed from, and which strut coil spring was removed from.

Compressing Strut Assembly Coil Spring:





WARNING:
- Do not remove strut rod nut, before strut assembly coil spring is compressed, removing spring tension from upper spring seat and bearing assembly.
- When compressing coil spring for removal from strut assembly, the upper spring seat and second coil of the coil spring must be captured by the jaws of the coil spring compressor
.

3. Compress strut assembly coil spring, using Pentastar Service Equipment Spring Compressor, 7522A or equivalent. Be sure the top and bottom attachment shoe selected, properly fit the coil spring.





4. Install Socket, Strut Nut, Special Tool 6864 on the Strut shaft retaining nut. Then install a 10 mm socket on the hex of the strut damper shaft. While holding strut shaft from turning, remove the strut shaft retaining nut.

Strut Assembly Upper Mount:





5. Remove the upper strut mount from the strut assembly.





6. Release the coil spring from the spring compressor. Then remove the spring compressor from the coil spring.
7. Remove the upper spring seat and the pivot bearing as an assembly from the coil spring. Then remove the coil spring from the strut assembly. Mark left and right springs for installation back on correct side of vehicle.





8. Remove the dust shield and the jounce bumper as an assembly from strut shaft. The dust shield can not be removed from the jounce bumper until after it is removed from strut shaft.
9. Remove the jounce bumper from the dust shield. Jounce bumper is removed from dust shield by collapsing dust shield until jounce bumper can be grabbed onto and then pulled out of the dust boot.





10. Remove the spring isolator from the strut assembly lower spring seat.
11. Inspect strut damper for any condition of shaft binding over full stroke of the shaft.
12. Inspect the strut mount and the upper spring seat assembly for the following:
- Mount for cracks and distortion and retaining studs for any sign of damage.
- Severe deterioration of rubber isolator,
- Binding strut assembly pivot bearing. If pivot bearing is replaced it is to be installed with the larger diameter end of bearing facing up.
- Inspect dust shield for rips and/or deterioration.
- Inspect jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.
13. Replace any components of the strut assembly found to be worn or defective during the inspection, before re-assembling the strut.