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Front Strut: Assembly

  1. Before installing the coil spring, strut mount, etc. on strut, check for the presence of air in the dampening force generating mechanism of the strut since air prevents proper dampening force production.
  2. Check for presence of air
    1. Place the strut vertically with the piston rod facing up.
    2. Move the piston rod to the center of its entire stroke.
    3. While holding the piston rod end with fingertips, move the rod up and down.
    4. If the piston rod moves at least 10 mm (0.39 in) in the former step, purge air from the strut.
  3. Air purging procedure
    1. Place the strut vertically with the piston rod facing up.
    2. Fully extend the piston rod.
    3. With the piston rod fully extended, place the piston rod side down. The strut must stand vertically.
    4. Fully contract the piston rod.
    5. Repeat 3 to 4 times from the step (1).
    NOTE: After completely purging air from the strut, be sure to place the strut with the piston rod facing up. If the strut is laid down and set, check for the entry of air in accordance with "Check for presence of air".
  4. Using a coil spring compressor, compress the coil spring.
    NOTE: Make sure that the vertical installing direction of coil spring is as shown in Fig 1 .
    Fig 1: Identifying Coil
    G03832309Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  5. Set the coil spring correctly so that its end face fits well into the spring seat as shown in Fig 2 .
    Fig 2: Identifying Coil Spring - Correctly
    G03832310Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  6. Install the helper and dust cover to piston rod.
  7. Pull the piston rod fully upward, and install the spring seat.
    NOTE: Ensure the upper spring seat is positioned as shown in Fig 3 .
    Fig 3: Identifying Spring Seat
    G03832311Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  8. Install spacer and the strut mount to piston rod, and tighten a new self-locking nut temporarily.
  9. Using a hexagon wrench to prevent strut rod from turning, tighten the new self-locking nut with ST.

    ST 20399AG000 STRUT MOUNT SOCKET

    Tightening torque: 

    55 N.m (5.6 kgf-m, 41 ft-lb) 

    Fig 4: Tightening Self-Locking Nut Using ST
    G03832312Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  10. Loosen the coil spring carefully.
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