Chrysler Concorde 2004 Service Manual page 1418

2 - 26 FRONT SUSPENSION
STRUT (Continued)
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT ASSEM-
BLY'S SHAFT NUT AT ANY TIME UNLESS THE COIL
SPRING HAS BEEN PROPERLY COMPRESSED
FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE LISTED HERE.
(1) If both struts are being serviced at the same
time, mark the coil spring and strut assembly accord-
ing to which side of the vehicle the strut was
removed from, and which strut the coil spring was
removed from.
(2) Position the strut assembly in the strut coil
spring compressor following
instructions (Fig. 62). The strut clevis bracket should
be positioned outward. It will be necessary to turn
the strut assembly so the steering arm will clear the
compressor arm. Position the upper and lower hooks
on the coil spring, then place a clamp on the lower
end of the coil spring, so the strut is held in place
once the strut shaft nut is removed (Fig. 62).
Fig. 62 Strut Assembly In Compressor
1 - HOOKS
2 - STRUT ASSEMBLY
3 - CLAMP
4 - COIL SPRING
WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE STRUT SHAFT
NUT BEFORE THE COIL SPRING IS COMPRESSED.
THE COIL SPRING IS HELD UNDER PRESSURE
AND MUST BE COMPRESSED, REMOVING SPRING
TENSION FROM THE UPPER MOUNT AND PIVOT
BEARING, BEFORE THE SHAFT NUT IS REMOVED.
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(3) Compress the coil spring until all coil spring
tension is removed from the upper mount.
(4) Install Strut Nut Socket, Special Tool 6864, on
the strut shaft retaining nut (Fig. 63). Next, install a
socket on the hex on the end of the strut shaft. While
holding the strut shaft from turning, remove the nut
from the strut shaft.
Fig. 63 Shaft Nut Removal/Installation
1 - SPRING COMPRESSOR
2 - SPECIAL TOOL 6864
3 - UPPER MOUNT
(5) Remove the upper mount from the strut shaft.
(6) Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil
spring and remove the strut out through the bottom
of the coil spring.
NOTE: If the seat and bearing, upper spring isola-
tor, dust boot, or coil spring need to be serviced,
proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with
step 9.
NOTE: Before removal of the seat and bearing from
the spring, note the flat on the inboard side of the
seat and bearing outer perimeter. This must align
with the inboard side of the strut (or rear of the cle-
vis bracket) on reassembly. Also note the coil
spring ending at the stop built into the seat and
upper isolator.
(7) Remove the seat and bearing, upper spring iso-
lator and dust shield as an assembly from the top of
the coil spring by pulling them straight up. They can
be separated once removed from the vehicle. The
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