1) Purpose & basic theory (short)
- The strut assembly supports the front corner load, locates the wheel/knuckle and provides damping. It combines spring support (carries static weight and sets ride height/geometry) and a damper (viscous device that converts kinetic energy into heat to control oscillation). On these MF S‑500 tractors the strut also affects steering geometry and wheel tracking.
- A failed strut (leakage, collapsed spring, worn mount or lost damping) lets the wheel move uncontrolled: excessive bounce, poor tyre contact, steering vagueness, clunks and accelerated wear of tyres, bearings and linkages.

2) Symptoms that indicate strut service
- Visible oil leak or damaged body.
- Excessive or prolonged bouncing after a bump.
- Nose dive under braking or harsh rebound.
- Clunking at suspension travel extremes.
- Uneven tyre wear, loose steering.
- Broken/flattened spring or corroded mount.

3) Safety & preparation (must do)
- Park level, engage park brake, lower implements and chock rear wheels.
- Support tractor with adequate jack/stands under axle or chassis — never rely on a jack alone.
- Remove front wheel on the affected side(s) so you can access strut top and bottom.
- Have new strut(s), new mounting nuts/bolts/sleeves and any bushings ready. Have the workshop manual handy for torque figures and clearances.

4) Tools & consumables
- Jack and axle stands, wheel chocks
- Penetrating oil, hammer, breaker bar
- Sockets & ratchets, spanners, Allen keys
- Torque wrench (use MF torque specs)
- Spring compressor only if disassembling a coil-over strut
- New nuts/bolts/sleeves, anti-seize

5) Removal procedure — strict order
1. Support the knuckle/hub so the strut carries no load (place a jack under the hub or an auxiliary support).
2. Disconnect any attached components: brake hose bracket from the strut, ABS sensor wirings, anti‑roll bar link if fitted. Do not let hoses be stressed.
3. Remove lower mounting fastener(s) that connect strut to steering knuckle/hub assembly. Keep any shims/sleeves in order.
4. Support the strut from above, then remove the upper mount nuts/bolts (top of strut in the engine bay/inner wing). Carefully lower the strut out of the mounting aperture.
5. If replacing only the cartridge/damper in a coil-over: use a suitable spring compressor and follow safe disassembly steps, then replace internal damper and re‑assemble with correct pre-load.
6. Clean and inspect the top mount seat, lower boss, bushings, bolts, and knuckle threads. Replace any worn components.
7. Install the new/rebuilt strut by reversing removal: position top into mount, loosely fit top nuts only by hand, align lower mount and insert bolts, then tighten lower fasteners to spec, finally torque top nuts to spec.
8. Reattach brake hose bracket, sensors, anti-roll bar, and any other disconnected components. Ensure brake hose is routed and free of twist.
9. Refit wheel and torque wheel nuts to spec. Lower tractor off stands.
10. With weight on wheels, re‑torque strut fasteners to manufacturer specs (torque after load where applicable).

6) Post‑fit checks & test
- Road/field test at low speed: check for clunks, steering response, rebound control.
- Inspect for leaks, loose clips or rubbing hoses.
- Re‑inspect torques after first few hours of operation.
- Check tyre wear and steering geometry; carry out alignment if geometry changed.

7) How the repair fixes the fault (theory connected to practice)
- Replacing the strut restores spring support and damping. The spring or support component returns static ride height and maintains wheel camber/kingpin geometry; the damper reduces kinetic energy of wheel movement, preventing sustained oscillations.
- Worn mounts/bushings allow relative movement between chassis and wheel—replacing the strut and mounts eliminates excess play, removing clunks and steering vagueness.
- A leaking or collapsed damper can’t control rebound/compression; replacing it returns predictable damping forces so tyre contact and traction are maintained, reducing tyre wear and improving braking/comfort.
- Correctly torqued mounts restore the designed preload and clamping of the strut, preventing bolt loosening and uneven load transfer that would otherwise stress bearings and steering components.

8) Important cautions
- Never attempt spring removal without a proper compressor and training — compressed springs store lethal energy.
- Use manufacturer torque specs and replacement hardware; reused worn sleeves/nuts are a common failure cause.
- If multiple corners are suspect, replace in pairs to preserve balanced handling.

Refer to the S‑500 workshop manual for exact bolt torque numbers, bushing part numbers and any model‑specific removal notes.
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