Things You'll Need:
- Wrench
- Spring compressor tool
- Paint or marking pen
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Step 1
Remove the strut from your Nissan Maxima, then compress the spring portion of the strut in a specialized spring compressor tool.
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Step 2
Check to make sure the spring is compressed sufficiently to eliminate all pressure on the mounting bracket, then remove the piston rod lock nut. Disassemble the strut down to the coil spring, laying each component out in the order and orientation in which it was removed.
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Step 3
Inspect the strut, taking careful note of how the assembly parts come together. It might be helpful to take a digital photograph or Polaroid of the assembly to remind you of how it looks when properly assembled, or to use a marking pen or paint to make a straight line on the strut assembly to help you line up the components.
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Step 4
Decompress the old spring and release it from the compressor tool, then insert a new spring into the tool and compress it evenly.
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Step 5
Place the new spring in the strut assembly and reassemble the components you removed in Step 3, using the photograph or line you made in Step 3 to help ensure that the spring and other components seat correctly.
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Step 6
Tighten the piston rod lock nut sufficiently to hold the upper bracket in place against the pressure of the spring. Slowly and carefully release the spring from its compression, ensure that all components are properly seated, and torque the lock nut to 15 to 18 foot pounds on 1999 to 2002 models of the Nissan Maxima.
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Step 7
Install the strut to your Nissan Maxima.
