Town & Country V6-3.8L VIN L (2006)
spring seat with upper spring isolator.
9) Remove the coil spring from the spring compressor.
10) Remove the dust shield and jounce bumper as an assembly from the strut shaft by pulling both straight up and off the strut shaft. The dust shield
cannot be separated from the jounce bumper until after it is removed from strut shaft.
11) Remove the jounce bumper from the dust shield. The jounce bumper is removed from the dust shield by collapsing the dust shield until the jounce
bumper can be pulled free from the dust boot.
12) Remove the spring isolator from the lower spring seat on the strut (Fig. 40).
13) Inspect the strut assembly components (Fig. 40) for the following and replace as necessary:
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Inspect the strut for any condition of shaft binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
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Check the upper mount for cracks and distortion and its retaining studs for any sign of damage.
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Check the upper seat for stress cracks and wear.
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Check the upper spring isolator for severe deterioration.
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Check for binding of the strut assembly pivot bearing.
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Inspect the dust shield for rips and deterioration.
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Inspect the jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.
ASSEMBLY
For the disassembly and assembly of the strut assembly, use of Strut Spring Compressor, Pentastar Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the
equivalent, is recommended to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.
NOTE: Coil Springs on this vehicle are side-oriented. Springs on the left side of the vehicle have a left-hand wind top-to-bottom while springs on the
right side have a right-hand wind top-to-bottom. Left and right springs must not be interchanged.
NOTE: If the coil spring has been removed from the spring compressor, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 5.
Fig. 48 Spring Positioned In Compressor (RightSpring Shown)
1) Place the coil spring in the compressor lower hooks following the manufacturers instructions. Proper orientation of the spring to the strut (once
installed) is necessary. Consider the following when placing the coil spring in the compressor: From above, the compressor back is at the 12
o'clock position, and you, standing in the front of the compressor, are at the 6 o'clock position. Place the lower coil spring end at the 12 o'clock
position for left springs and at the 6 o'clock position for right springs. (Fig. 48).
2) Install the upper seat and upper isolator on top of the coil spring. Position the notch in the perimeter of the upper seat toward the front of the
compressor (same 6 o'clock position as in step 1).