Strut Assembly Removal and Installation: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Suzuki Reno and 2005 Suzuki Forenza. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the trunk carpeting that covers the rear strut mounting nuts. For station wagons, remove the panels that cover the luggage compartment wheelhouse trim panel (wagon). Refer to "LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT WHEELHOUSE TRIM PANEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION :".

Fig 1: Identifying Rear Strut Mounting Nuts
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove the rear strut mounting nuts.

Fig 2: Removing Rear Strut Mounting Nuts
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
Remove the wheel. Refer to "WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION :".
Disconnect the parking brake. Refer to "PARKING BRAKE CABLE REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION :".
NOTE: On vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes, the brake hose will easily disconnect from the strut assembly as the assembly is being removed from the vehicle. On vehicles equipped with rear disc brakes, the brake hose can be disconnected from the strut assembly at any time.
Remove the clip that holds the brake hose to the strut assembly.

Fig 3: Removing Clip
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove the stabilizer link-to-strut assembly nut and disconnect the stabilizer link from the strut assembly.

Fig 4: Removing Stabilizer Link-To-Strut Assembly Nut
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove the knuckle-to-strut assembly nuts and the bolts.
On vehicles equipped with rear drum brakes, lower the strut assembly and separate the brake line from the strut assembly.

Fig 5: Removing Knuckle-To-Strut Assembly Nuts And Bolts
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove the rear strut assembly from the vehicle.

Fig 6: Removing Rear Strut Assembly
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.