Strut Assembly: Installation

Loosely install strut onto frame with aligning tab facing inside. Install attaching nuts. Install strut fork over drive shaft and onto lower control arm. Install strut assembly into strut fork so tab on strut housing aligns with slot in fork. Loosely install pinch bolt (at top of strut fork). Loosely install strut fork bolt and a new self locking nut at bottom of strut fork. Place jack under knuckle, and raise it until vehicle just lifts off safety stands. Tighten strut pinch bolt. Tighten strut flange bolt and new self locking nut. Tighten flange nuts on top of strut. Install brake hose mounts and bolts. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Lower the lower arm and position strut assembly in body. See Fig 1. Loosely install flange nuts onto top of strut. Position strut bottom on knuckle, and install strut pinch bolts and nuts, and lightly tighten nuts. Place floor jack under lower arm ball joint, and raise suspension to load it with vehicle's weight. Tighten flange nuts on top of strut to specified torque. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Tighten strut pinch nuts to specified torque. Connect tie-rod end to steering arm and tighten nut to specified torque. To complete installation, reverse remaining removal procedures.

Fig 1: Identifying Strut Mounting Position (Civic & CR-V)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Lower the lower arm, and position the strut assembly in the body. Loosely install the NEW self locking nuts onto the top of the strut. Position the strut bottom on the knuckle, install the strut pinch bolts and nuts, and lightly tighten the bolts. Connect the stabilizer link to the strut, and lightly tighten the nut. Place a jack with a wood block under the lower arm ball joint, and raise the suspension to load. Tighten the flange nuts, on the top of the strut, and pinch bolts to the specified torque. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Connect the stabilizer link to the strut, and tighten the flange nut while holding the joint pin with a hex wrench. Connect the tie-rod to the steering arm, and tighten to specifications. Install the cotter pin after tightening, and bend its ends over bolt. To complete installation, reverse removal procedures.

Loosely install the strut onto the frame, then loosely install the 3 flange nuts. Loosely install the strut pinch bolts and flange nuts to the strut. Loosely install the stabilizer link to the strut. Install the brake hose bracket. Install the wheel sensor wire to the strut. Place jack under knuckle, and raise it until vehicle just lifts off safety stands.

Tighten strut pinch bolt. Tighten flange nuts on top of strut. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Lower the lower arm and position strut in body. Loosely install flange nuts onto strut studs. Position strut bottom on lower arm, and connect lower arm and lower ball joint. Install flange bolts, and lightly tighten. Raise suspension until vehicle just lifts off safety stands. Install castle nut onto lower ball joint pin, and tighten to specified torque. Install cotter pin and tighten flange bolt connecting strut bottom to lower arm. Tighten all fasteners and bolts to specifications. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install brake hose mounting bracket and tighten to specifications.