Table of contents: Removal 🠇 Installation 🠇
Note: Any nuts that are damaged during removal must be replaced. This is explained by the fact that the threads of these nuts are coated with a compound for locking threaded connections (designed for one puff only). These nuts include the steering knuckle clamp bolt nut and the stabilizer bar strut mounting nut. To perform this procedure you will need spring compressors (spring compressors).
Removal
1. Place wheel chocks under the rear wheels. Apply the parking brake fully. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely (see "Lifting and installing the car on supports"). Remove the corresponding front wheel.
2. If the left suspension strut must be removed on models from September 2002 onwards, remove the engine control module and associated support bracket as described in the relevant section to gain access to the upper strut mount chapter 4.
3. Remove the bolt securing the wiring support bracket to the top of the steering knuckle.
4. Release the brake hose and all electrical wiring from the clamps on the strut.
5. Unscrew the nut (and remove the washer) fastening the stabilizer link to the suspension strut and position the stabilizer link away from the suspension strut. Hold the strut with an Allen key to prevent it from turning when loosening the nut (figure 4.5). Throw away the nut; when installing, you should use a new one.
Figure 4.5. Loosen the nut securing the stabilizer bar to the suspension strut
6. Loosen the nut and remove the clamp bolt securing the steering knuckle to the suspension strut. Throw away the nut; when installing, you should use a new one (figure 4.6).
Figure 4.6. Loosen the nut and remove the clamp bolt securing the steering knuckle to the suspension strut
7. To be able to remove the suspension strut, the coil spring must now be compressed. Working from under the wheel well, place appropriate spring pullers on the spring and compress the spring enough to allow access to the lower end of the strut assembly to be separated from the steering knuckle(figure 4.7). Use compression devices that can be firmly fixed to the spring (usually with a small clamping bolt). Any other type of fixture may jump or slide off the spring as it tightens.
Figure 4.7. Spring compressors installed on the strut spring
8. Drive a small chisel into the slot on the steering knuckle to widen the slot slightly and remove the end of the suspension strut (figure 4.8).
Figure 4.8. Hammer in a small chisel (marked with an arrow) into the slot on the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle
9. Loosen the three bolts securing the upper support of the suspension strut, and then remove the strut from under the wheel arch (figure 4.9).
Figure 4.9. Bolts (A) and mounting lug (B) of the upper suspension strut support
Installation
10. Having installed the pullers on the spring, as during removal, bring the suspension strut to its standard position. Make sure the locating pin on the upper support plate is properly seated in the corresponding hole in the body and the support plate is properly oriented. On models without power steering, the mounting tab on the rubber mount should face the rear of the vehicle. On models with power steering, the mounting tab should face the front of the vehicle (figure 4.9).
11. Insert the lower end of the suspension strut into the steering knuckle, aligning the clamp slot in the knuckle with the tab on the base of the strut. Also make sure that the thrust tabs on the strut are in contact with the top surface of the steering knuckle.
12. Screw in the upper strut support mounting bolts and tighten them to the specified torque.
13. Insert the clamp bolt that secures the steering knuckle to the suspension strut, screw a new nut onto the clamp bolt and tighten it to the specified torque.
14. Carefully release and remove the spring compressors.
15. If applicable, install the engine control module and support bracket as described in the relevant section chapter 4.
16. Connect the stabilizer link to the suspension strut. Thread the new nut onto the strut and tighten it to the specified torque.
17. Install the wiring harness support bracket to the top of the steering knuckle and secure the hose and wiring to the suspension strut.
18. Install the wheel, lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque.