Strut And Spring Assembly

Visually inspect each component of the strut and spring assembly and install new parts as necessary. Refer to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR .

Inspect the shock absorbers for signs of oil weepage or leaks. Make sure that the oil is not from sources other than the shock absorber.

Weepage is a condition that:

• deposits a thin film of oil on the strut.
• is normally noticed due to a collection of dust on the strut.
• occurs during the normal break-in period of 4,800-8,050 km (3,000-5,000 miles). After this period, no new signs of oil should be visible.
• does not require the installation of new struts.

Leakage is a condition that:

• covers the entire strut with oil.
• will drip oil onto the surrounding suspension components.
• requires installation of new struts.

Test the struts as follows:

1. Remove the LH and RH struts in question; refer to FRONT SUSPENSION or REAR SHOCK ABSORBER . The strut piston rods should extend when the struts are removed.
2. Compress the LH and RH strut piston rods. Both should offer the same resistance when compressed.
3. Compress and release the LH and RH strut piston rods. The strut piston rods should extend equally after being released.

Install new strut if the strut(s) fail the above test.