Front Tension Strut - Removal

REMOVAL





1. Raise and support vehicle Maintenance.
2. Remove wheel mounting nuts (3), then tire and wheel assembly (1).
3. Remove belly pan Belly Pan - Removal





4. Loosen nut (3) attaching tension strut (2) ball joint stud to knuckle. Back nut off until nut is even with end of stud. Keeping nut on at this location will help keep end of stud from distorting while using Puller in next step.






CAUTION: In following step, use care not to damage ball joint seal boot while sliding Puller, Special Tool 9360, into place past seal boot.

5. Using Puller (1), Special Tool 9360, separate tension strut ball joint stud (2) from knuckle.





6. Remove nut (3) from end of tension strut (2) ball joint stud.
7. Rotate knuckle outward and push ball joint upward, out of knuckle.






CAUTION: If the tension strut bolt at the engine cradle has a lengthwise grooved shaft (2), it is a special wheel alignment adjustment bolt and the bolt head (1) must not be rotated in the vehicle or damage to the bolt and engine cradle will result. While holding the bolt in place with a wrench, remove the nut, then slide the bolt out of the bushing and cradle taking note of bolt positioning in engine cradle for reassembly purposes. The bolt needs to be installed in the same position as removed to make sure wheel camber and caster return to adjusted position.






8. Remove nut and bolt (2) securing tension strut (1) to engine cradle (3).
9. Slide tension strut out of cradle bracket and remove from vehicle.