Strut Mount - Rear

Replace the rear strut mount assembly by removing the rear strut from the vehicle, installing a new mount bearing and components, and reinstalling the strut with proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut mount bearing assembly × 1 — 51726-TVA-A01 or equivalent
• Strut mount upper rubber isolator × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Strut mount dust cover × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Strut tower mounting nuts (if corroded) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, paved surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking points
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified support points on the chassis
5. Remove rear wheel completely
6. Verify jack stands are stable and vehicle cannot fall before proceeding

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting area
   Open trunk and locate the rear strut tower access panel on the side being serviced. Remove the cargo area trim panel or speaker grille covering the strut tower nuts. This may require removing plastic clips or fasteners. The strut tower is located in the upper rear corner of the trunk area.
2. 2

   Support lower suspension
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm or rear knuckle to support the suspension assembly. Raise jack just enough to take light pressure off the strut but not enough to compress the suspension significantly. This prevents the suspension from dropping when the strut is disconnected.
   ⚠Maintain jack support throughout strut removal to prevent suspension from dropping suddenly, which could damage brake lines or other components.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar link if necessary
   If the sway bar link interferes with strut removal, disconnect it from the strut or lower control arm. Hold the ball stud shaft with an Allen key to prevent spinning while removing the nut. Mark orientation if needed for reassembly.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two bolts connecting the strut to the rear knuckle assembly. These are typically 17mm or 19mm bolts on the lower portion of the strut. Apply penetrating lubricant if necessary. Remove both bolts completely and support the strut to prevent it from falling. Note the orientation of any alignment marks or eccentric washers.
   ⚠Some vehicles use alignment eccentric bolts at the strut-to-knuckle connection. Mark position before removal to maintain approximate alignment.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts116 Nm (86 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   From inside the trunk, locate the strut tower mounting nuts (typically 2 nuts on top of the strut shaft). Use a 14mm socket to remove both nuts while holding the strut from below to prevent it from falling. The strut assembly can now be removed from the vehicle.
   ⚠Have an assistant support the strut from below or maintain jack support to prevent the strut from falling when the top nuts are removed.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove strut assembly from vehicle
   Carefully lower the floor jack supporting the suspension slightly while guiding the strut assembly out through the wheel well. Maneuver the strut past the knuckle and any brake components. Place the strut assembly on a stable work surface.
7. 7

   Compress strut spring
   Install a strut spring compressor on the spring, following the compressor manufacturer's instructions. Position compressor hooks evenly on opposite sides of the spring. Gradually compress the spring in alternating increments on each side until all tension is removed from the top mount. You should be able to wiggle the mount freely when properly compressed.
   ⚠️CRITICAL: Ensure spring compressor is properly engaged and compressing evenly on both sides. An improperly secured compressor can release suddenly causing severe injury. Compress gradually and verify secure engagement at each increment.
8. 8

   Remove strut shaft nut and top mount
   Hold the strut shaft with an appropriate tool (may require an Allen key or specialized strut holding tool) to prevent rotation. Remove the top shaft nut (typically 17mm or 19mm). Remove the top mount assembly, bearing, upper spring seat, bump stop, and dust cover. Note the order and orientation of all components for reassembly.
9. 9

   Inspect and install new strut mount
   Inspect the strut shaft for damage or corrosion. Clean the shaft threads with a wire brush if needed. Install components in reverse order: dust cover, bump stop, upper spring seat, new strut mount bearing (ensure proper orientation - the bearing should rotate freely), and top mount assembly. Verify all components are seated correctly.
   ⚠The strut mount bearing has a specific orientation. The bearing must face the correct direction to allow for proper steering/suspension articulation. Verify against old mount or service manual diagrams.
10. 10

    Reinstall strut shaft nut
    Install the strut shaft nut while holding the shaft to prevent rotation. Tighten the nut securely according to manufacturer specifications (typically 50-60 Nm, though this specific torque is not in the provided database - follow service manual). Ensure all components are properly seated and aligned.
11. 11

    Release spring compressor
    Gradually release the spring compressor in alternating increments on each side. Ensure the spring seats properly in the upper and lower spring seats as tension is released. Once all tension is transferred to the mount, completely remove the spring compressor. Verify the spring is seated correctly in both upper and lower perches.
    ⚠Release spring compressor slowly and evenly. Verify spring seats properly at both ends before fully releasing tension.
12. 12

    Reinstall strut assembly in vehicle
    Guide the strut assembly back into position through the wheel well. Align the strut shaft studs with the holes in the strut tower. Use the floor jack to support the lower suspension and align the strut with the knuckle mounting holes. Install the strut tower nuts finger-tight from inside the trunk.
13. 13

    Install strut-to-knuckle bolts
    Align the strut with the knuckle and install both strut-to-knuckle bolts. If eccentric bolts or alignment marks were noted during removal, align them to their original position. Do not fully tighten yet - leave bolts snug but not torqued.
14. 14

    Torque strut mounting hardware
    Torque the strut tower nuts from inside the trunk to 50.0 Nm (37 lb-ft). Then torque the strut-to-knuckle bolts to 116.0 Nm (86 lb-ft). If the sway bar link was disconnected, reconnect it and torque to 58.0 Nm (43 lb-ft) or the link nuts to 55.0 Nm (41 lb-ft) while holding the shaft with an Allen key.
    ⚠️CRITICAL: All torque specifications must be followed exactly. Under-torqued fasteners can loosen and cause suspension failure. Over-torqued fasteners can break.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts116 Nm (86 lb-ft)

    Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install wheel and perform final torquing
    Reinstall the rear wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but most weight is still on jack stands. Torque wheel lug nuts to 129.0 Nm (95 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle to the ground and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall any trunk trim panels, cargo area covers, or speaker grilles that were removed to access the strut tower
2. Verify all fasteners are tight and no tools or parts were left in the trunk or wheel well area
3. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if both rear strut mounts are being replaced

Verification

• Start vehicle and turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or unusual noises from rear suspension
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify no unusual noises, vibrations, or handling issues
• Listen for any clunking or rattling from the rear suspension over bumps - this could indicate improper installation
• Check for smooth rotation of the strut mount bearing by bouncing the rear suspension and listening for smooth operation
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as soon as possible - suspension geometry may have changed during the repair
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check torque on all strut mounting hardware to verify nothing has loosened

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