Tension Strut (Stabilizer Bar): Removal
- Place lock cylinder in unlocked position. Raise and support vehicle on hoist, with suspension hanging freely. Remove left front wheel. Remove cotter pin from left ball joint stud. See Figure.
- Loosen left ball joint castle nut until top of nut is level with top of stud. Using Ball Joint Separator (SA9132S ), separate left control arm from steering knuckle. Remove castle nut from left ball joint stud.
- Remove left fender splash shield, remove front section of shield first, then rear. Remove nut and bolt securing left control arm to cradle. Remove nut and washer securing right tension strut to control arm (turn wheels to the left for access to nut).
- Remove bracket bolts securing tension strut to cradle. If bolts can be removed and nut threads are okay, go to step 7). If bolts cannot be removed due to corrosion or cross-threading, go to next step.
- If nut has broken loose from cradle and bolt is locked in nut, go to next step. If nut has not broken loose from cradle but nut threads are damaged, sufficiently distort threads of old bolt so that when it is installed, it will not turn when using an impact wrench. Using an impact wrench, install old bolt until nut breaks off of cradle.
- Cut off bolt head. Remove bolt shank and nut from cradle cavity. Obtain a new bolt (21010823 ) and a repair nut (21006321 ) for use during installation procedure.
- Remove tension strut with left control arm as an assembly. Remove nut and washer securing tension strut to left control arm. Separate left control arm from tension strut.
NOTE:
Right side of tension strut is identified by a paint mark. If paint mark is not present, install tension strut so middle section of tension strut (between mounting brackets) turns upward when viewed from front of vehicle.