### Rear MacPherson Strut

#### REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

##### 240SX

1. Block the front wheels.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely.

   NOTE: The vehicle should be far enough off the ground so the rear spring does not support any weight.

3. Working inside the luggage compartment, turn and remove the caps above the strut mounts. Remove the strut mounting nuts.
4. Remove the mounting bolt for the strut at the lower arm (transverse link) and then lift out the strut.
5. Installation is in the reverse order of removal. Install the upper end first and secure with the nuts snugged down but not fully tightened. Attach the lower end of the strut to the transverse link and the tighten the upper nuts to 12–14 ft. lbs. Tighten the lower mounting bolt to 65–80 ft. lbs.

   Fig. 1: Rear suspension — 240SX

##### 1982–86 Stanza

1. Raise and support the rear of the vehicle on jackstands.
2. Remove the wheel.

   Fig. 2: Rear suspension — 1985 Stanza

3. Disconnect the brake tube and parking brake cable.
4. If necessary, remove the brake assembly and wheel bearing.
5. Disconnect the parallel links and radius rod assembly from the strut or knuckle.
6. Support the strut with a jackstand.
7. Remove the strut upper end nuts and then remove the strut from the vehicle.
8. Install the strut assembly to the vehicle and tighten the strut-to-parallel link nuts to 65–87 ft. lbs., the strut-to-radius rod nuts to 54–69 ft. lbs. and the strut-to-body nuts to 23–31 ft. lbs. Refer to the illustrations.
9. Reconnect the brake tube and parking brake cable.
10. Install the wheel.

##### 1987–92 Stanza

1. Remove wheel and unclip the rear brake line at the strut. Unbolt and remove the brake assembly, wheel bearings and backing plate. Position the brake caliper out of the way and suspend it so as not to stress the brake line.

   Fig. 3: Rear suspension — 1992 Stanza (earlier models similar)

2. Remove the radius rod mounting bolt, radius rod mounting bracket.
3. Remove the 2 parallel link mounting bolts.
4. Remove the rear seat and parcel shelf.
5. Position a floor jack under the strut and raise it just enough to support the strut.
6. Remove the 3 upper strut mounting nuts and then lift out the strut.
7. Install the strut assembly in the vehicle. Tighten all bolts sufficiently to safely support the vehicle and then lower the car to the ground so it rests on its own weight. Tighten the upper strut mounting nuts to 23–31 ft. lbs., the radius rod bracket bolts to 43–58 ft. lbs. and the parallel link mounting bolts to 65–87 ft. lbs.
8. Install the brake caliper.
9. Install the backing plate, brake assembly and wheel bearings.
10. Install the wheel.

##### Stanza 4WD Wagon

1. Block the front wheels.
2. Raise and support the rear of the vehicle with jackstands.
3. Position a floor jack under the transverse link on the side of the strut to be removed. Raise it just enough to support the strut.
4. Open the rear of the car and remove the 3 nuts that attach the top of the strut to the body.
5. Remove the wheel.
6. Remove the brake line from its bracket and position it out of the way.
7. Remove the 2 lower strut-to-knuckle mounting bolts.
8. Carefully lower the floor jack and remove the strut.
9. Install the strut assembly in the vehicle. Final tightening of the strut mounting bolts should take place with the wheels on the ground and the vehicle unladen. Tighten the upper strut-to-body nuts to 33–40 ft. lbs. Tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to 111–120 ft. lbs.
10. Connect the brake line.
11. Install the wheel.

    Fig. 4: Rear axle and rear suspension — Stanza Wagon 4WD