Note. All nuts disturbed during removal must be replaced without fail. This is due to the fact that the threads of these nuts are coated with a compound to lock the threaded connections (designed for one puff only). These nuts include the knuckle clamp bolt nut and the anti-roll bar strut nut. This procedure will require spring extractors (spring compression tools).
Removing
1. Place wheel chocks under the rear wheels. Apply the parking brake fully. Raise the front of the vehicle and securely jack stands under it (see «Lifting and placing the car on supports»). Remove the corresponding front wheel.
2. If the left suspension strut must be removed on models from September 2002, remove the ECM and associated support bracket to gain access to the upper strut mount, as described in the appropriate part chapter 4.
3. Turn out a bolt of fastening of a basic arm of electroconducting to the top part of a rotary fist.
4. Release from clips on a rack a brake hose and all electroconducting.
5. Loosen the nut (and remove the puck) attaching the stabilizer link to the suspension strut, and position the stabilizer strut away from the suspension strut. Hold the post with an Allen wrench to prevent it from turning when the nut is loosened (pic. 4.5). Throw away the nut; when installing, use a new one.
Pic. 4.5. Loosen the nut securing the stabilizer bar to the suspension strut
6. Turn away a nut and take a tightening bolt of fastening of a rotary fist to a suspension rack. Throw away the nut; when installing, use a new (pic. 4.6).
Pic. 4.6. Loosen the nut and remove the clamping bolt securing the steering knuckle to the suspension strut
7. To be able to remove the suspension strut, you should now compress the coil spring. Working from under the wheel arch, install the appropriate pullers on the spring and compress the spring enough to allow access to the lower end of the suspension strut to be detached from the steering knuckle (pic. 4.7). Use compression tools that can be fixed firmly on the spring (usually with a small clamping bolt). Any other type of tool may slip or slide off the spring as it is tightened.
Pic. 4.7. Spring Compressors Mounted on 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 (pic. 4.8).
Pic. 4.8. Hammer a small chisel (marked with an arrow) into the slot on the steering knuckle to release the steering knuckle
9. Turn away three bolts of fastening of the top support of a rack of a suspension bracket, and then take a rack from under a wheel arch (pic. 4.9).
Pic. 4.9. bolts (A) and mounting lug (IN) suspension strut upper support
Installation
10. Having installed the pullers on the spring, as in the case of removal, bring the suspension strut to its regular position. Make sure that the dowel pin on the upper base plate fits correctly into the corresponding hole in the body and that the base plate is correctly oriented. On models without power steering, the mounting lug on the rubber mount must face the rear of the vehicle. On models with power steering, the mounting lug must face the front of the vehicle (pic. 4.9).
11. Insert the lower end of the suspension strut into the steering knuckle, aligning the clamp slot in the knuckle with the protrusion on the strut base. Also make sure that the thrust lugs on the strut are in contact with the upper surface of the steering knuckle.
12. Screw in bolts of fastening of the top support of a rack and tighten them the prescribed force.
13. Insert the clamping bolt of the steering knuckle to the suspension strut, screw a new nut onto the clamping bolt and tighten it to the prescribed torque.
14. Gently release and remove the spring extractors.
15. If applicable, install the engine control unit and support bracket as described in the relevant part chapter 4.
16. Connect the stabilizer link to the suspension strut. Screw a new nut onto the strut and tighten to the specified torque.
17. Install the wiring support bracket on 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.