1994 Q45a: Removing struts to change dust boots

[Markus]

What do you need to disassemble to remove the struts to change the dust boots on a 1994 Q45a?

I am able to disassemble the top of the towers (rotating them using M8 screws and nuts and a breaker bar), but I don't understand how/where to disassemble the lower part of the struts.

Please help!

[96Qowner]

Here's a link to a FSM:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/

And what I could find in the archives:

zerothread?id=22075

zerothread?id=17643

[Edit] Oops, I see you have an Q45a - no struts. You need to study a FSM (factory service manual). Look under Full-Active Suspension for diagrams specific to the Active:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/fa.pdf

[3Q Jay]

Hej Markus!Welcome to NICO. wow, an active in Sweden! is it a USDM or JDM? getting parts must be a challenge?

as to your question: i hope you put solid M8 bolts (not the ones that were there!) in when you used the breaker bar--the hollow core bolts that pass the active fluid into the actuator bend quite easily. after removal of the hydraulic fitting, you just want to loosen the 'mushroom' cap on top (not necessary to remove, but will help you later), then remove the actuator via the two nuts on top of strut tower and single nut on underside that attaches to 3rd link. the accumulator can come out with the actuator. at the bench, install your spring compressors as you would for conventional spring, and compress until you can unscrew the mushroom and you know the rest.don't forget to change the bumper bounds while you are doing the boots.

[Markus]

Thanks!

We did use solid M8s. We had to reinforce them with nuts to keep them from bending. So far, so good. I will look for the 3rd link next time.

The car in question is in California and belongs to my brother. In Sweden I drive, um, a Lexus LS430. I have never seen a Q45 in Europe.

I do see direct-imported FX45s every once in a while, though.