OEM 2002 Chrysler 300M Shock Absorber

2002 Chrysler 300M Shock Absorber Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Disassemble a Shock Absorber in the Front Strut Assembly on 2002 Chrysler 300M?

  A: Begin by removing the strut from the car, using a strut spring compressor, PSE tool W-7200 or a similar tool. Make sure to follow the advice on the tool's user manual. When changing the strut assembly, don't take off the strut nut until the coil spring has been properly wound to eliminate tension from the upper mount and pivot bearing. Match the sides by writing on both struts and their springs to ensure you recognize them later. Set the strut assembly into the compressor so that the strut clevis bracket is facing the outside, the steering arm has no contact with the compressor arm and the coil spring is fastened with a clamp. Press the coil spring down until the upper mount is relaxed, then hold the strut shaft and remove the strut shaft retaining nut with Special Tool 6864. Remove the upper mount and take out the clamp before you extract the strut from over the coil spring. Before putting together the seat and bearing, upper spring isolator, dust boot or coil spring, position the flat on the inboard side of the bearing so it aligns with the strut. Lift off the seat, bearing, upper spring isolator and dust shield together as a group from the coil spring. Be sure to check the jounce bumper cup inside the dust shield. After backing off the compressor drive, take out the coil spring. Then, remove the jounce bumper cup and jounce bumper from the strut shaft and if the cup is no longer there, see if it is caught up in the dust shield. Pull out the lower spring isolator from the lower spring seat and examine all parts on the strut for shaft binding, cracks, deterioration and damage, replacing them if they are faulty.