Rear Strut Replacement Page 1/2
Page 1 and 2
Tools needed:
- Various sockets, wrenches, pliers & ratchet
- Cheater bar for those stubborn nuts & bolts
- Bench Vice
- Monkey wrench or large channel locks
- Dremel tool (maybe, see step 6)
- Spring insulators x2
- Bumpstops x2
Rear Removal
1) Remove the 3 screws holding the decklid side panel.
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2) Loosen the 19mm strut bolt (green) and the three 12mm strut top bolts (red).
Do not remove.
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3) Raise and support the rear of the car on jack stands.
4) Remove the rear wheel.
5) Remove the clip holding the brake line to the strut bracket.
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6) Push the line up and then bend the bracket to open up space to remove the
brakeline from the bracket. You may need a dremel tool to cut a line into the
bracket.
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7) Remove the sway bar end link from the strut assembly. 14mm nut.
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8) Mark the camber position on the axle carrier. Then remove the two 19mm bolts/nuts
holding the strut assembly to the axle carrier.
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9) Remove the three 12mm bolts (red) from the strut top.
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10) May take some working of the strut assembly and axle carrier, but eventually
you can wiggle the strut assembly loose and can remove it from the vehicle.
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11) Remove the 19mm bolt holding the strut to the strut top. I did not need
a spring compressor for the rear. However, to be safe, use one.
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12) Remove the strut top, spring and bumpstop.
13) Place the strut assembly in a vice, and then using a pipe wrench or channel
locks remove the gland nut. The insert should then pull right out. Be careful
of some oil within the strut assembly.
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14) Here's the parts contained within the strut assembly.
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Go to Page 2 for the install...
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