Suspension Strut: Removing
For vehicles with ABS, pull ABS wheel speed sensor out slightly when removing; when installing, push in by hand to stop.
-- Remove wheel trim or wheel cover.
-- Loosen wheel bolts.
-- Remove bolt/washer assembly for wheel hub onto driveshaft (vehicle standing on wheels).
Do not loosen the bolt/washer assembly for the wheel hub unless the car is standing on its wheels-risk of accident!
-- Remove wheel.
-- Remove sound insulation panel (undertray).
-- Remove stabilizer bar bushing on both sides.
Additional requirement on vehicles with 6-cylinder engine:
-- Remove subframe assembly SUBFRAME .
-- Disconnect brake caliper (upper arrows).
-- Tie brake caliper to body with wire.
-- Remove brake disc.
-- Remove bolt (lower arrow) clamping ball joint pin into wheel bearing housing.
-- Press out ball joint pin.
When pressing out the ball joint pin, do not damage the driveshaft boot or the ball joint boot.
If ball joint pin fit is tight, proceed as follows:
-- Use length of pipe approximately 1.5 meters (5 ft) long to press down on stabilizer bar to separate joint (arrow)
In order to separate the wheel bearing housing-to-ball joint connection, use a commercial rust solvent. Never use a chisel or other tool to pry open or widen the slot.
-- Remove nut from tie rod end.
-- Press off tie rod end.
-- Remove cover (arrow on cover points toward fender).
-- Remove upper strut nuts (large arrows) while holding from below and pulling strut off driveshaft.