JOB SHEET A4C10: MacPherson Strut Service Start Date: Name: End Date: Make: Model: Year: VIN: Mileage: Learning Objective/NATEF Task Remove, inspect, and install strut cartridge or assembly, strut coil spring, insulators (silencers), and upper strut bearing mount. o NATEF task A4/C10, P1. ICS 155, ICS 156 Tools and Materials Classroom vehicle(s) and components OEM service manual Fender covers Hand tools Lift Torque wrench Safety stands Safety glasses Procedure 1. You must understand and observe all State/Federal Regulations and personal safety procedures when carrying out the following task(s). Wear safety glasses for this entire procedure. 2. Review Inspection, Diagnosis, and Repair of MacPherson Strut Suspension Components in Lesson 1 of Unit 9 of the A4 course. 3. In the OEM service manual for your classroom vehicle, locate the procedure for removing and installing a MacPherson strut. Submit this process to your instructor or mentor for approval and then answer the following questions. 1
1. Place the vehicle on a hydraulic lift or safety stands. Observe all shop and safety rules when operating a hydraulic lift. If you are under 18, your instructor/mentor must assist you. 2. Lift the vehicle (mentor/instructor assist) on a hoist until the tires are a short distance off the floor, and allow the front suspension to drop downward. 3. Disconnect any brake lines or wires attached to the strut assembly. Disconnect steering linkage from the strut assembly, if so designed. 4. Remove the bolts that connect the strut assembly to the spindle. 5. Lower the vehicle for access to the upper bolts. Do not lower it all the way to the ground. 6. Remove the nuts mounting the strut assembly to the strut tower. Do not remove the large center nut holding the strut and the mounting bracket together. When you remove the mounting nuts, do not allow the strut to fall out of the car. 7. Carefully remove the strut assembly from the vehicle. Do not allow it to hang on any other component of the vehicle. 8. In the OEM service manual for your classroom vehicle, locate the procedure for disassembling the strut assembly. Submit this process to your instructor or mentor for approval and then answer the following questions. 9. Following the approved procedure, disassemble the strut assembly. 2
Use only spring compressors that are approved for MacPherson strut service. Make certain the compressor is securely installed on the compressed spring before the upper piston rod nut is removed. 10. Inspect the strut components and record the results below. Component Good Bad Strut mount (rubber mount and bearing) Strut spring Dampener leakage Jounce bumper 11. If any of the above items were marked "Bad," describe the fault and suggest appropriate repairs: 12. Bench test the dampener and record the results: 13. In the OEM service manual for your classroom vehicle, locate the procedure for replacing the dampener cartridge. Submit this process to your instructor or mentor for approval and then answer the following questions. 3
14. If the strut is equipped with a replaceable dampener cartridge, remove the strut dampener and install a cartridge. If working with a sealed strut, skip this procedure and go to Step 16. 15 Following the approved procedure, reassemble the strut assembly. 16. Replace all worn or missing parts as directed by the instructor. 17. Verify the spring is properly aligned and seated in the spring mounts as shown in the OEM service information. Installation Procedure 1. To reinstall the strut assembly, reverse the preceding procedure Steps 4-8 using the OEM service information for the proper torque specifications of all mounting nuts and bolts. What is the OEM torque specification for the strut to the ball joint? 2. Remove the jack stands. Install the wheel assembly and lower the vehicle from the hoist. Task Summary Now that you have completed this NATEF task, can you think of anything (tools, information, knowledge etc.) that would have made this task easier? 4
List a customer complaint together with the cause determined by this diagnostic/ inspection task that might appear on a work order, and then list the NATEF task correction you would use to resolve the complaint. Use this rubric to rate the completion of job sheet 1 = Demonstrates exposure/observation of the competency 2 = Applies the competency but only mastered a few essential attributes of the competency 3 = Capable of the competency but needs further practice 4 = Performs the competency satisfactorily 5 = Masters the competency Instructor Mentor 5