Chrysler 300M Service Manual page 78

LH
STRUT (Continued)
Fig. 26 Removing Spindle From Strut Assembly
1 - BRASS DRIFT PUNCH
2 - STRUT ASSEMBLY
3 - SPINDLE
4 - CENTER PUNCH
5 - HIT SPINDLE HERE
6 - LATERAL LINK
(18) Lower vehicle enough to access rear passenger
compartment.
NOTE: When removing rear strut assembly from
vehicle, access to the 3 rear strut assembly-to-strut
tower attaching nuts is through the passenger com-
partment of the vehicle.
(19) Mark the location of the 3 strut assembly-to-
rear strut tower attaching nuts (Fig. 27).
(20) Remove the 3 strut assembly-to-rear strut
tower attaching nuts (Fig. 27), then remove strut
assembly from vehicle.
Fig. 27 Strut Assembly Attaching Nuts
1 - FRONT OF CAR
2 - ATTACHING NUTS
3 - MOUNTING STUDS
4 - STRUT ASSEMBLY
5 - SPEAKER OPENING
(21) Remove the nut, washers and rubber isolators
securing the stabilizer bar link to the strut.
(22) For disassembly of the strut assembly, refer to
Disassembly.
DISASSEMBLY - STRUT ASSEMBLY (REAR)
The Strut assembly must be removed from the
vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled.
Refer to Removal.
(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.
WARNING: DO NOT INSTALL THE COIL SPRING
COMPRESSOR HOOKS ON THE COIL SPRING IN
AN AREA OF THE SPRING COVERED BY A
SLEEVE. IF THE SLEEVE MOVES WHEN COM-
PRESSING THE SPRING, THE SPRING COULD
MOVE RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY.
CAUTION: When installing the spring compressor's
hooks on the coil spring, do not position the hooks
of the spring compressor on the sleeve of the coil
spring. Positioning the spring compressor on the
sleeve could cause the sleeve to dislodge from the
coil spring when it is compressed. This would
result in the required replacement of the coil spring.
(2) Position the strut assembly in the strut coil
spring compressor following
instructions. Position the strut assembly so the out-
board side of the strut is outward away from the
compressor. Grasp the upper and lower coils of the
spring with the upper and lower hooks of the com-
pressor. 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. Compress the coil spring until
all load is removed from the upper strut mount.
(3) Install Strut Shaft Socket, Special Tool 6864,
on the strut shaft nut. Use a deep well socket
inserted into the opening of tool 6864 to keep strut
shaft from turning. With the spring compressed,
remove the nut from the strut shaft.
(4) Remove the strut upper mount assembly, upper
spring isolator, dust shield, and jounce bumper. The
jounce bumper should come off with the dust shield.
The dust shield and upper spring isolator can be
removed from the upper mount if necessary.
(5) Remove the clamp and remove the strut out
from the bottom of the coil spring.
(6) Remove the lower spring isolator from the strut
coil spring seat.
(7) Inspect the strut assembly components for the
following and replace as necessary:
REAR SUSPENSION 2 - 45
the manufacturers