Captiva

Strut, Strut Component, or Spring Replacement

Special Tools

1. Position the strut assembly in the J-45400 compressor .
2. Using the J-45400 compressor , compress the spring to unload the upper strut mount.




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.

3. Using the J-42991 Socket , loosen the strut shaft nut.
4. Remove the strut shaft nut.




Note: Leave the spring in the spring compressor.

5. Lower the strut assembly from the spring.




Caution: Do not handle the top mount assembly by the plastic portion. Handle the top mount assembly by the metal portion when removing/installing the top mount from/to the strut assembly. Holding the top mount assembly by the plastic portion may loosen the snap fit of the bearing components and cause the bearing to fall apart.

Note: Replace any components that are found to have excessive wear or are damaged.

6. Remove the upper mount assembly.
7. Remove the strut dust shield.
8. Remove the hollow bumper from the strut shaft.
9. Remove the spring, if needed.

1. Extend the strut shaft to the limit of travel.
2. Install the hollow bumper and the dust boot to the strut shaft.




Note: The tag identifying the spring will be closer to the bottom of the spring. The end of the coil sits up against the tab on the spring seat.

3. With the spring in the compressor, install the strut assembly into the spring.




Note: The anti-rotation tab on the spring seat must face 180 degrees from the direction that the knuckle bracket points.

4. Assemble the upper spring seat onto the strut shaft and align the flat with the strut to knuckle mounting bracket.

Caution: Do not handle the top mount assembly by the plastic portion. Handle the top mount assembly by the metal portion when removing/installing the top mount from/to the strut assembly. Holding the top mount assembly by the plastic portion may loosen the snap fit of the bearing components and cause the bearing to fall apart.

Note: The flat on the metal plate of the top mount assembly must face the same direction of the anti-rotation tab on the spring seat.

5. Assemble the top mount onto the strut shaft and align the flat 180 degrees from the flat on the upper spring seat.
6. Loosely install the strut shaft nut.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

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.

7. Hold the strut shaft and use the J-42991 socket , or equivalent, in order to tighten the shaft while verifying that the upper spring seat flats align with the top mount and tighten to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).



8. Release the tension on the J-45400 compressor .
9. Remove the strut assembly from the J-45400 compressor .