Spring & Strut Assembly (Front): Removal
- Turn air suspension switch, located in left side of trunk, to OFF position. See Figure or Figure . Loosen, but DO NOT remove strut-to-body top mounting nuts. Turn ignition switch so steering column is in unlocked position with ignition in OFF position.
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove brake hose bracket from front spring and strut. Disconnect air line from solenoid, push inward on air line, depress release ring and pull air line from solenoid.
- Disconnect air spring solenoid harness connector. Disconnect strut actuator at body wiring harness connector. Disconnect stabilizer bar link from front spring and strut assembly. DO NOT use air tools to disconnect stabilizer bar link.
- Disconnect height sensor from lower ball stud and position height sensor out of way. Vent air from air spring. See AIR SPRING FILL OR VENT under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (AIR SYSTEM & ELECTRICAL).
- Remove and discard lower control arm-to-ball joint nut. Using Tie Rod End Remover (3290-D), separate ball joint from steering knuckle. DO NOT
use hammer to separate ball joint from steering knuckle.CAUTION: DO NOT allow axle to extend outward or CV joint will be damaged.
- Remove front spring and strut-to-steering knuckle bolt. Using a screwdriver, slightly spread front spring and strut-to-steering knuckle joint. Remove strut-to-body top mounting nuts. Remove front spring and strut assembly from vehicle.
CAUTION:
To avoid permanent damage to air spring, DO NOT
remove flange nut from center of strut while front spring and strut assembly is in vehicle. See Fig 1
.