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Strut Assembly: Reassembly

WARNING: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.
CAUTION: Align the alignment rod and the Strut Compressor so that the tool may open and close together. The tools will not open if the tools do not align properly.
  1. Install the strut to the Strut Compressor. See SPECIAL TOOLS  . Use wing nuts to secure the tool to the mounting holes C and E/K. Position the wide end of the adapter outboard. See .Fig 1
  2. Install the alignment rod and the Strut Compressor upper adapter.
  3. Install the strut to the Strut Compressor lower adapter and strut compressor upper adapter. See SPECIAL TOOLS  .
  4. Close the Strut Compressor lower adapter and the strut compressor upper adapter. See SPECIAL TOOLS  .
    5. CAUTION: Use only one mounting pin. Position the top of the shock absorber flat against the Strut Compressor lower adapter. The shock absorber will not align correctly if the shock absorber does not lay flat against the tool.
  5. Install the locking pin through the lower hole of the Strut Compressor and the lower knuckle mounting hole of the strut. See SPECIAL TOOLS  .
  6. Install the strut to the top of the Strut Compressor. See SPECIAL TOOLS  .
  7. Install the spring to the strut. Ensure to position the upper and lower spring seat correctly.
  8. Install the remaining components to the strut.
  9. Fully extend the strut shaft.
    10. NOTE: Align the alignment rod straight with the strut. If the alignment rod is not aligned, repeat steps 1 through 12 until the tool is straight.
  10. Attach the alignment rod. See SPECIAL TOOLS  . This prevents the shaft from reacting during compression.
  11. Insert the alignment rod down through the top of the strut compressor and onto the shaft. See SPECIAL TOOLS  .
  12. Slowly turn the operating screw counterclockwise in order to compress the spring until the threaded portion of the strut shaft is through the top of the strut.
  13. Insert a new strut nut on the strut rod.
    CAUTION: Keep the strut rod in a stationary position when you tighten the strut nut. Turning the strut rod may damage the strut.
  14. Place the strut rod nut socket on the shock absorber nut. See SPECIAL TOOLS  . Tighten the shock absorber rod to upper mount. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  .
  15. Insert a T-45 Torx(R) through the alignment rod. See SPECIAL TOOLS  .
  16. Tighten the shock absorber nut while holding the shaft with a T-45 Torx(R). See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  .
  17. Remove the damper rod clamp, the alignment rod and the strut rod nut socket from the strut compressor.
  18. Remove the strut from the strut compressor.
Fig 1: Assembling Strut
G00135678Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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