Special Tools

E7115 Angle Wrench.

Warning: Refer to Safety Glasses Warning in the Preface section.

Danger: To avoid any vehicle damage, serious personal injury or death when major components are removed from the vehicle and the vehicle is supported by a hoist, support the vehicle with jack stands at the opposite end from which the components are being removed and strap the vehicle to the hoist.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.




Note: Nuts with micro-encapsulated thread sealant must be discarded after removal.

3. Remove the stabilizer bar link to strut assembly retaining nut (2).

Discard the nut.

4. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link (1) from the strut assembly bracket (3).



5. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector (3).
6. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness (4) from the strut assembly bracket (2).
7. Disconnect the brake hose (5) from the strut bracket (1).




Note: The strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (3) nuts (1) and washers (2) are single use parts. They must be discarded after removal.

8. Remove the strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (3), nuts (1) and washers (2).

Discard the bolts, nuts and washers.




9. Disconnect the steering knuckle (1) from the strut assembly (2).
10. Lower the vehicle.



11. Remove the stud dust cover (1) from the strut assembly to body retaining nut (2).

Note: The strut assembly (4) must be supported from underneath before the strut assembly to body retaining nut (2) is removed.

12. Remove the strut assembly to body retaining nut (2) while holding the strut piston shaft (4).

Discard the nut.

13. Remove the strut assembly to body retaining plate (3).
14. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.
15. Inspect all parts for wear and damage.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.





Note: The strut assembly retaining nut (1) must be checked for correct torque before installing the strut assembly into the vehicle. The strut assembly retaining nut torque must be 75 N·m (55 lb ft).

1. Check the torque of the strut assembly retaining nut (1), correct if necessary.



2. Install the strut assembly (3) to the vehicle (4).
3. Install strut assembly to body retaining plate (1).

Note:  The strut assembly to body retaining nut (2) must not be fully tightened at this stage.

4. Install the NEW strut assembly to body retaining nut (2) to the strut assembly (3).

Do not fully tighten at this stage.

5. Raise the vehicle.



6. Install the steering knuckle (1) to the strut assembly (2).




Note:  Pivot the hub and steering knuckle assembly sufficiently to line up the bolt holes in the steering knuckle and strut assembly.

Note:  The strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (3) and nuts (1) must not be fully tightened at this stage.

7. Install the NEW Strut assembly to steering knuckle retaining bolts (3), nuts (1) and washers (2).

Do not fully tighten at this stage.

8. Lower the vehicle.



9. Install the NEW strut assembly to the body retaining nut (2) and tighten to 55 N·m (40 lb ft).
10. Install the dust cover (1) to the strut assembly to body retaining nut (2).
11. Raise the vehicle.



12. Install the brake hose (5) to the strut assembly bracket (1).
13. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector (3).
14. Install the wheel speed sensor wiring harness (4) to the strut assembly bracket (2).



15. Connect the stabilizer bar link (1) to the strut assembly bracket (3).
16. Install the stabilizer bar link to the strut assembly bracket retaining nut (2) and tighten to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
17. Install the front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
18. Remove the safety stands.
19. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
20. Bounce the vehicle several times to settle the suspension.
21. Check and adjust the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.



22. Install the strut assembly to the steering knuckle retaining bolts (2) and nuts (1) and tighten.

•	the nuts a first pass to 85 N·m (63 lb ft)

•	the nuts a second pass to 100 N·m (74 lb ft)

•	the nuts an additional 90 degrees