Kia Optima DL3 Quiz
Suspension System

Front strut assembly

In this manual: Suspension System
General Information — 8Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) — 21Maintenance — 27Engine Mechanical System — 45Engine Electrical System — 11Emission Control System — 11Engine Control System/Fuel System — 25Automatic Transmission — 20Drive Shaft and Axle — 7Suspension System — 22Steering — 7Restraints — 11Brake System — 22Body (Interior and Exterior) — 116Body Electrical System — 90Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — 32
21steps
~126min
5/5difficulty
030609012015068.651N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page
Done 0 of 21

Components and Component Location

Components

1. Strut Assembly
2. Insulator Dust Cover
3. Insulator
4. Spring Upper Pad
5. Strut Bearing		 6. Strut Bearing Pad
7. Bumper Rubber
8. Coil Spring
9. Spring Lower Pad

Repair Procedures

Removal

  1. Disconnect the negative (-) battery cable.

  2. Loosen the front strut upper mounting nuts (A).

    Tightening torque: 53.9 - 69 N·m

  3. Remove the front wheel and tire.

    (Refer to Tires/Wheels — "Wheel")

  4. Loosen the mounting bolt (A) and remove the brake hose bracket from the strut assembly.

    Tightening torque: 8.8–13.7 N·m

  5. Disconnect the stabilizer link from the front strut assembly after loosening the nut (A).

    Tightening torque: 98.1 - 118 N·m

  6. Remove the front strut assembly from the front axle by loosening the bolts and nuts.

    Tightening torque: 196.1–216 N·m

Disassembly

  1. Remove the insulator dust cover (A).

  2. Using a spring compressor, compress the coil spring (A).

    Do not compress the spring more than necessary.

  3. Using SST (0K546-F6100), loosen the self-locking nut.

  4. Remove the insulator, spring seat, coil spring and dust cover from the strut assembly.

Inspection

  1. Inspect the strut bearing for wear and damage.

  2. Inspect the upper and lower spring seats for damage and wear.

  3. Compress and extend the piston rod (A) and check for abnormal resistance or unusual noise during operation.

Disposal

  1. Fully extend the piston rod.

  2. Drill a hole in section A to release the gas from the cylinder.

Installation

  1. Install the insulator, spring seat, coil spring and dust cover on the strut assembly.

  2. Compress and extend the piston rod (A) and check for abnormal resistance or unusual noise during operation.

  3. Using the special service tool (0K546-F6100), install the self-locking nut.

    Tightening torque: 107.8–118 N·m

  4. Install the insulator cap (A).

Installation

  1. Install in the reverse order of removal.

  2. Check the alignment.

    (See Suspension System - Alignment)

Test yourself

A quick Kia Optima DL3 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.