How do you access electrical and air hose connectors for the Air strut

[hammer008]

I am putting a new air strut in the rear and need desparate help. I am transportationless meanwhile.

 

How do you access the electrical and pneumatic connectors for the air strut?...I know it is in the panel beside the rear speaker but I can't seem to figure out how to access it.

 

 

 

Further, what is the official way to unhook the brake line from the strut?

appreciate any help. I know that some people have cut them with bolt cutters but that sounds less elegant.

 

hammer

[sea#3]

hammer008

I'm assuming this is a wagon.

Jack the car up and put it on jack stands, remove the wheel and loosen the two bolts that hold the strut to the bearing housing

Now the proper way to disconnect the brake line from the strut is to unbolt it, some people cut/slot the bracket so they don’t have to bleed the brakes. This is up to you to decide! Being in Toronto I’ll bet it’s a little rusted

Remove the cover on the strut tower /speaker cover, remove the speaker with its support bracket under that there is a black piece of insulation lift that up. You should see 3 nuts (12mm); those hold the top of the strut. Support the suspension and unbolt the nuts .Let the suspension down (CAREFULLY) 2" and stop, Now there is a cover at the top of the strut that you will have to take off (8mm bolts) These bolts are usually seized, so I hope you have some good penetrating oil! Once you have the cover off you can access the air line to the strut at the solenoid. Gently pry the 3 tags back that hold the air line in the solenoid (be careful you are going to use the solenoid again if you did not get one on your new strut. You should get new o-rings for the solenoid and the air line)

Next the electrical connection is accessed up at the body, follow it up to the body to the grommet pull the grommet out and "gently" pull the wire till you pull the connectors through the body then disconnect it there. Make sure it doesn’t fall back inside the body! Lower the strut further take it out and reverse the order to install

Hope this helps

SEA#3

[hammer008]

hammer008

I'm assuming this is a wagon.

Jack the car up and put it on jack stands, remove the wheel and loosen the two bolts that hold the strut to the bearing housing

Now the proper way to disconnect the brake line from the strut is to unbolt it, some people cut/slot the bracket so they don’t have to bleed the brakes. This is up to you to decide! Being in Toronto I’ll bet it’s a little rusted

Remove the cover on the strut tower /speaker cover, remove the speaker with its support bracket under that there is a black piece of insulation lift that up. You should see 3 nuts (12mm); those hold the top of the strut. Support the suspension and unbolt the nuts .Let the suspension down (CAREFULLY) 2" and stop, Now there is a cover at the top of the strut that you will have to take off (8mm bolts) These bolts are usually seized, so I hope you have some good penetrating oil! Once you have the cover off you can access the air line to the strut at the solenoid. Gently pry the 3 tags back that hold the air line in the solenoid (be careful you are going to use the solenoid again if you did not get one on your new strut. You should get new o-rings for the solenoid and the air line)

Next the electrical connection is accessed up at the body, follow it up to the body to the grommet pull the grommet out and "gently" pull the wire till you pull the connectors through the body then disconnect it there. Make sure it doesn’t fall back inside the body! Lower the strut further take it out and reverse the order to install

Hope this helps

SEA#3

 

Thanks! Bless you!