Rear Suspension: Overhaul: Strut: Disassembly

1. Remove strut from vehicle. See STRUT .
2. Install the strut to the Strut Spring Compressor (J 34013-B). Using wing nuts to secure the tool to the mounting holes. Position the wide end of the adapter outboard. See Fig 1.
   Fig 1: Installing Strut Spring Compressor (J 34013-B)

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
NOTE: Align the Lower Strut Adapter (J 34013-971) and the Upper Strut Adapter (J 34013-125) so that the tools may open and close together. The tools will not open if the tools do not align properly.
Fig 2: Installing The Upper & Lower Strut Adapter
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
3. Install the Lower Strut Adapter (J 34013-971) and the Upper Strut Adapter (J 34013-125). See Fig 2.
4. Close the Lower Strut Adapter (J 34013-971) and the Upper Strut Adapter (J 34013-125).
5. Install the locking pins (2) through the holes of the Strut Spring Compressor (J 34013-B) and the struts mounting holes.
6. Turn the screw (3) on the Strut Spring Compressor (J34013-B) counterclockwise to raise up the strut up to the Upper Strut Adapter (J 34013-125).
CAUTION: Do not over compress the spring. Severe overloading may cause tool failure which could result in bodily injury.
7. Compress the spring approximately 0.50" (13 mm), or 3 to 4 complete turns of the operating screw.
8. Insert the Strut Rod Nut Socket (J 42991) on the nut.
9. Hold shaft with a T-45 bit.
10. Use the Strut Rod Nut Socket (J 42991) to remove the nut while preventing the rod from rotating with a T-45 Torx bit. See Fig 3.
11. Discard the strut nut.
12. Turn the operating screw (3) on the Strut Spring Compressor (J 34013-B) clockwise to fully relieve the spring compression. See Fig 2.

Fig 3: Removing Strut Rod Nut

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.