Disassembly/Assembly

Fig. 13 Removing Damper & Coil Spring From Strut:

DISASSEMBLY

Care must be taken not to damage special coating on coil springs. If special coating is damaged, coil spring damage could occur.
1. Clamp strut compressor tool No. J-26584 in a suitable vise.
2. Place strut assembly in compressor tool and install bottom adapter tool No. J-26584-400, making sure that adapter captures strut and locating pins are fully engaged, Fig. 13.
3. Position top adapter tool No. J-26584-430 on strut cap, aligning mounting holes as necessary.
4. Rotate compressor forcing screw clockwise until top support flange contacts top adapter. Continue rotating forcing screws until strut spring is compressed to approximately 1/2 its height. Do not bottom the spring or strut damper rod.
5. Remove damper top nut, then place alignment rod on strut shaft. Use alignment rod to guide shock shaft through spring cap during removal.
6. Remove strut components, then relieve compressor tension.

Fig. 14 Strut Coil Spring & Upper Mounting Installation:

ASSEMBLY

1. Perform Steps 1 & 2 as outlined in the Disassembly procedure.
2. Position spring on strut, making sure spring is properly seated on bottom spring plate.
3. Install shields, bumpers and insulators on spring seat, then install coil spring seat on top of spring, Fig. 14.
4. Install bearing cap on spring seat, ensuring they are centered together and properly aligned.
5. Rotate spring as necessary to have upper end of spring located within 10 mm from end of groove in upper insulator and lower end of spring located 10-15 mm from end of groove in lower insulator.
6. Position top adapter tool No. J-26584-430 on strut cap, then engage compressor slightly. Pull up strut rod to its full extension and clamp in place with clamp tool No. J-34013-20 or equivalent.
7. Insert alignment rod tool No. J-34013-27 or equivalent through bearing and spring cap and position on top of strut rod. Compress spring slowly while guiding strut rod through bearing cap with alignment rod.
8. Continue compressing spring until one inch of strut rod is above bearing cap. Install strut attaching nut and tighten to specifications.
9. Remove strut rod clamp, then release tension on coil spring and remove compressor.