Subaru 2002 IMPREZA Service Manual page 1911

D: ASSEMBLY
1) Before installing the coil spring, strut mount, etc.,
on the strut, check for the presence of air in the
damping force generating mechanism of the strut
since air prevents proper damping force from being
produced.
2) Checking for the presence of air
(1) Place the strut vertically with piston rod fac-
ing up.
(2) Move the piston rod to center of its entire
stroke.
(3) While holding the piston rod end with finger-
tips, 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 piston rod fac-
ing up.
(2) Fully extend the piston rod.
(3) With the piston rod fully extended, place the
piston rod side down. The strut must stand ver-
tically.
(4) Fully contract the piston rod.
(5) Repeat three or four times from the first
step.
NOTE:
After completely purging air from the strut, be sure
to place the strut with piston rod facing up. If it is
laid down, check for entry of air in the strut as out-
lined under "Checking for the 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 the figure.
(1) Flat (top side)
(2) Identification paint
(3) Inclined (bottom side)
FRONT STRUT
5) Set the coil spring correctly so that its end face
fits well into the spring seat as shown in the figure.
6) Install the helper and dust cover to the piston
rod.
7) Pull the piston rod fully upward, and install the
rubber seat and spring seat.
NOTE:
Ensure that upper spring seat is positioned as
shown in the figure.
8) Install the strut mount to the piston rod, and then
tighten the self-locking nut temporarily.
CAUTION:
Be sure to use a new self-locking nut.
B4M0568B
FS-21
FRONT SUSPENSION
(1) Coil spring end face
(1) Outside of body
S4M0353A
S4M0097B