same direction that the clevis bracket on the lower
end of the strut is pointed in. This direction should
be straight toward the compressor.
(9) Loosely install the retaining nut on the strut
shaft. Install Strut Nut Socket (on the end of a
torque wrench), Special Tool 6864, on the strut shaft
retaining nut (Fig. 19). Next, install a socket on the
hex on the end of the strut shaft. While holding the
strut shaft from turning, tighten the strut shaft
retaining nut to a torque of 75 N·m (55 ft. lbs.).
(10) Slowly release the tension from the coil spring
by backing off the compressor drive completely. As
the tension is relieved, make sure the upper mount’s
seat aligns properly with the coil spring.
(11) Verify the arrow on the upper mount is point-
ing in the same direction as the strut clevis bracket
as mentioned in step 9.
(12) Remove the clamp from the lower end of the
coil spring and strut. Push back the spring compres-
sor upper and lower hooks, then remove the strut
assembly from the spring compressor.
(13) Install the strut assembly on the vehicle.
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/STRUT - INSTAL-
LATION).
INSTALLATION - STRUT ASSEMBLY (REAR)
NOTE: Before proceeding with this procedure,
(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR - WARNING).
(1) To place the strut assembly into mounting posi-
tion, start the lower end of the strut over the top of
the knuckle and down the back between the two lat-
eral arms. Next, lift the top of the strut assembly up
into the strut tower aligning the studs on top of the
upper mount with the three mounting holes in the
strut tower. While holding the strut assembly in
place, install the three mounting nuts on the upper
mount studs inside the luggage compartment (Fig.
17). Tighten the 3 mounting nuts to a torque of 34
N·m (300 in. lbs).
(2) Install the carpeting back on top of the rear
strut tower.
(3) Close the deck lid.
(4) Raise the vehicle (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
CAUTION: The strut-to-knuckle attaching bolts are
serrated and must not be turned during installation.
Once installed, hold the bolts stationary in the
steering knuckle while installing and tightening the
nuts.
(5) Align the holes in the strut clevis bracket on
the lower end of the strut with the mounting holes in
the knuckle. Install the two bolts attaching the strut
to the rear knuckle (Fig. 1). Install the nuts. Tighten
the two nuts to 88 N·m (65 ft. lbs.).
(6) If the vehicle is equipped with disc brakes (Fig.
16), install the brake rotor and disc brake caliper on
the knuckle. Install the two guide pin bolts securing
the front disc brake caliper to the steering knuckle.
Tighten the guide pin bolts to a torque of 22 N·m
(192 in. lbs.).
(7) If equipped with a rear stabilizer bar, reinstall
the stabilizer bar link (Fig. 1):
(a) Place the link center sleeve and bushings
between the eye in the end of the stabilizer bar
and the link mounting bracket on the strut.
(b) Start the stabilizer bar link bolt with bush-
ing from the top, down through the stabilizer bar,
inner link bushings and sleeve, and strut link
mounting bracket.
(c) Install a lower bushing, then the nut. Do not
tighten the nut at this time.
(8) If the vehicle is equipped with the antilock
brake system (ABS), install the screw securing the
ABS wheel speed sensor bracket to the rear of the
strut assembly (Fig. 15). Tighten the mounting screw
to a torque of 13 N·m (120 in. lbs.).
(9) If the vehicle is equipped with rear drum
brakes, install the screw securing the brake hose
bracket to the rear of the strut assembly (Fig. 14).
Tighten the screw to a torque of 31 N·m (275 in. lbs.).
(10) Install the tire and wheel assembly on vehicle
(Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - INSTALLATION).
Tighten the wheel mounting stud nuts in proper
sequence until all nuts are torqued to half specifica-
tion. Repeat the tightening sequence, this time, to
full specified torque of 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
(11) Lower the vehicle to ground level.
(12) Tighten the stabilizer bar link nut to a torque
of 23 N·m (200 in. lbs.).
(13) Set the rear toe on the vehicle to the required
specification if necessary. (Refer to 2 - SUSPEN-
SION/WHEEL ALIGNMENT - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE).
TENSION STRUT
DESCRIPTION
The tension strut controls the fore-and-aft move-
ment of the rear knuckle (Fig. 1).
There is one tension strut per side of the rear sus-
pension. The leading end of the tension strut
attaches to the frame rail while the trailing end of
the strut attaches to the lower end of the rear
knuckle. The tension strut is isolated from the rest of
the rear suspension through the use of rubber bush-
ings located at each end. The rear bushings (bayonet
2 - 46
REAR SUSPENSION
PL/SRT-4
STRUT ASSEMBLY (Continued)