Strut Assembly: Reassembly

Install strut on strut spring compressor, and assemble in reverse order of disassembly. Position mounting base with one stud aligned with tab on strut housing. See Fig 1. Install NEW rubber bushing, washer, and a NEW 10 mm self locking nut. Hold the strut shaft and tighten 10 mm self locking nut to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 1: Aligning Strut Brace To Housing (Accord)

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1. See Figure as needed. Reassemble all parts, except for the upper spring seat and spring. Install the upper spring seat mounting cushion on the upper spring seat by aligning the tab portion on the cushion with the cutout in the seat. See Fig 1 or Fig 2 . Install the spring in the groove of the cushion securely.
2. Install the strut mounting bearing and strut mounting base on the upper spring seat. Install the upper spring seat and spring on the strut spring compressor, and compress the spring lightly. Insert the strut unit up through the compressed spring. Align the bottom of the spring and the stepped part of the lower spring seat. Check that the cutout in the side of the upper spring seat is in position. See Fig 5 & Fig 6 or Fig 3 & Fig 4 . Note that there are 2 types of struts for CR-V, A type (A/T Models) and B type (M/T Models), and the cutout position is different from type to type. If the cutouts are out of position for either model, remove all the components from the spring compressor, and start reassembly and seating steps again.
3. Hold the bottom of the strut with your hand, and compress the spring. DO NOT compress spring excessively. Install the 12 mm nut on the strut shaft. Hold the strut shaft with a hex wrench, and tighten the 12 mm nut to specified torque. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove the strut assembly from the strut spring compressor.

Fig 1: Identifying Spring Mounting Cushion Position (Civic)

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Fig 2: Identifying Spring Mounting Cushion Position (CR-V)

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Fig 3: Aligning Upper Spring Seat Position (Left Side - CR-V)

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Fig 4: Aligning Upper Spring Seat Position (Right Side - CR-V)

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Fig 5: Aligning Upper Spring Seat Position (Left Side - Civic)

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Fig 6: Aligning Upper Spring Seat Position (Right Side - Civic)

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Reassemble all parts, except the spring. Install the dust cover end inside the top of the dust cover sleeve, and install the dust cover lower mount on the bottom of the dust cover sleeve. Install bump stop on the strut shaft, then install dust cover assembly over it. Install the rest of the parts except for the washer and self locking nut onto the strut unit. See Figure. Align the spring bottom end, the stepped part of the dust cover lower mount, and the step on the lower spring seat. Install the strut assembly on the strut compressor. Install a NEW washer and a NEW self locking nut on the strut shaft. Hold the strut shaft with a hex wrench, and tighten the self locking nut to the specified torque. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Reassemble all parts, except for the spring. Install strut unit on a commercially available strut spring compressor. Assemble strut in reverse order of removal except for the washer and self locking nut. Align the bottom of the strut spring and the spring lower seat. Compress the spring and install the strut mounting washer, and a NEW 12 mm self locking nut. Hold the strut rod using a hex wrench, and tighten the self locking nut.

Assemble all of the strut components except the self locking nut onto the strut unit. Align the spring bottom end, the stepped part of the lower spring mounting cushion, and the step on the lower spring seat. Install the strut assembly on the strut compressor. Position the strut mounting base. See Fig 1. Compress strut spring with spring compressor. Install a NEW self locking nut on strut shaft. Hold strut shaft with a hex wrench, and tighten self locking nut to specified torque. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Fig 1: Aligning Strut Base To Strut Housing (S2000)

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