Disassembly and Assembly: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Nissan Armada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Set the coil spring and shock absorber in a vise.
CAUTION: Do not remove the piston rod lock nut at this time.
Use a suitable bar to prevent the shock absorber mounting insulator from turning.
Loosen (without removing) the piston rod lock nut as shown below.
Compress the coil spring using spring compressors (commercial service tools) until the shock absorber mounting insulator can be turned by hand.
WARNING: Make sure that the pawls of the spring compressors (commercial service tools) are firmly hooked on the coil spring. The spring compressors (commercial service tools) must be tightened alternately and evenly so as not to tilt the coil spring.

Fig 1: Compressing Coil Spring Using Spring Compressor
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Remove the piston rod lock nut.
Remove the washer, the spacer, the shock absorber mounting insulator, the shock absorber bushing, and the upper spring seat.
Remove the dust cover and the upper seat.
Gradually release the spring compressors (commercial service tools) and remove the coil spring.

Fig 2: Removing Dust Cover And Upper Seat
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.