Special Tools

J-42468 Front Strut Mount Nut Wrench

1. Remove the strut nut cap, if equipped.




Caution: Do not allow the absorber rod to rotate during disassembly/reassembly. Use hand tools to keep the absorber rod from rotating. If air tools are used, and the rod is allowed to rotate, damage to the absorber may occur.

2. Use a wrench in order to hold the piston rod while loosening the strut assembly-to-body nut with the J-42468 Front Strut Mount Nut Wrench or equivalent.

Note: Raise and support the vehicle on a frame contact hoist, not on a suspension contact hoist. Support the front lower control arm with a jack stand near the ball joint in order to avoid overextending the CV joints and the brake hose.

3. Raise and support the vehicle in order to access the bottom and the top of the strut. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
4. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.



5. Remove the ABS speed sensor wire, if equipped, from the strut bracket.
6. Remove the brake hose from the strut bracket.
7. Remove the stabilizer shaft link upper nut.
8. Remove the stabilizer shaft link upper stud from the strut bracket.



9. Remove the nuts and the bolts from the strut.
10. Remove the strut assembly-to-body nut with the J-42468 Wrench or equivalent.

Caution: Care should be taken to avoid chipping or cracking the spring coating when handling the front suspension coil spring. Failure to observe this notice may result in spring breakage.

11. Remove the strut assembly from the vehicle.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




1. Install the strut assembly into the vehicle with the strut assembly-to-body nut and tighten to 60 N·m (44 lb ft). Use a wrench in order to hold the piston rod while tightening the nut with the J-42468 Wrench or equivalent.
2. Install the strut nut cap, if equipped.



3. Install the strut to the knuckle.
4. Install the nuts and the bolts to the strut and tighten to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).
5. Install the stabilizer shaft link upper stud to the strut bracket.
6. Install the stabilizer shaft link upper nut and tighten to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
7. Install the brake hose to the strut bracket.
8. Install the ABS speed sensor wire, if equipped, to the strut bracket.
9. Install the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
10. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle.