Rear
Strut Assembly ReplacementRemoval Procedure
Notice: Care should be taken to avoid chipping or scratching the coating when handling the suspension coil spring. Damage to the coating can cause premature failure.
1. Remove the strut-to-body mount nuts.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
4. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the strut.
5. Scribe the strut to the knuckle.
Notice: The knuckle must be retained after the strut-to-knuckle bolts have been removed. Failure to observe this may cause ball joint and/or wheel drive shaft damage.
6. Remove the strut to knuckle bolts.
7. Remove the strut from the vehicle.
Installation Procedure
Notice: Care should be taken to avoid chipping or scratching the coating when handling the suspension coil spring. Damage to the coating can cause premature failure.
1. Install the strut into place.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
2. Install the strut to knuckle bolts.
Tighten the strut to knuckle bolts and nuts to 120 Nm (89 ft. lbs.).
3. Connect the stabilizer shaft link to the strut.
4. Install the tire and wheel.
5. Install strut to body mount nuts (1).
Tighten the strut to body mount nuts to 45 Nm (33 ft. lbs.).
6. Lower the vehicle.
7. Adjust the rear wheel alignment.
Suspension Strut Disposal
Caution: Use the proper eye protection when drilling to prevent metal chips from causing physical injury.
1. Clamp the strut in a vise horizontally with the rod (1) completely extended.
2. Drill a hole in the strut at the center of the end cap (3) using a 5 mm (3/16 inch) drill bit. Gas or a gas/oil mixture will exhaust when the drill bit penetrates the strut. Use shop towels in order to contain the escaping oil.
3. Remove the strut from the vise.
4. Hold the strut over a drain pan vertically with the hole down.
5. Move the rod (1) in and out of the tube (2) to completely drain the oil from the strut.