Contents: Disassembly ⇊ To install: ⇊
WARNING: This procedure requires the use of special tools or equivalent. A special spring puller must be used to hold the spring before removing it from the strut.
1. Raise and securely support the front of the vehicle. Make sure the jack stands are positioned correctly.
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Disconnect the brake hose clamp from the strut.
4. Remove the brake caliper by loosening the mounting bolts. Use twine or stiff wire to suspend and move the caliper away from the work area. Do not disconnect the brake hose from the caliper.
5. Disconnect the anti-roll bar from the lower suspension arm.
6. Remove the self-locking pinch bolt at the bottom of the strut. Place a jack or other support under the control arm. Use a hammer to tap the knuckle down and away from the strut; do not allow the disc and cam assembly to fall after they have been loosened.
7. In the engine compartment, remove the rubber cover and 3 nuts from the upper shock absorber mount.
CAUTION: Do not remove the center (axle) nut at the top of the shock absorber.
8. Remove the rack assembly from the vehicle.
Disassembly
9. Install the spring compressor onto the spring. Tighten the compressor just enough to remove the spring force from the upper cup.
10. With the spring compressed, remove the center nut. Use a hex wrench of the correct size to hold the shaft from turning while loosening the nut.
11. Remove the upper mount. Carefully remove the seals, gaskets and bearing at the top of the strut; keep them in order for correct subsequent assembly. Remove the compressed spring.
12. If the spring needs to be checked or replaced, slowly release the tension on the puller arms. Remove the tool when the spring has relaxed to its normal length.
13. Manually check the shock absorber for smooth operation along the entire stroke length. Also check it for smoothness during short (50-100 mm) impacts. Replace the unit if you feel any sign of unevenness or sticking. The shock absorber itself is not disassemblable; it has no replaceable parts.
To install:
14. Place the stand assembly upright. If using a vice, place something between the jaws to avoid damage.
15. Install the rubber stop on the axle.
16. Compress the spring and install it on the shock absorber. Make sure the lower coil is aligned correctly in the lower cup. Install the dust cover.
17. Install the upper spring cup, spacers, bearing, seal and mount. Coat both sides of the bearing with grease before installing. Make sure the upper cup is aligned with the upper coil of the spring.
18. Install a new upper axle nut; tighten it to 45 Nm.
19. Slowly loosen the spring compressor, making sure that the released spring is correctly positioned in place.
20. Place the rack in its mounting location from above. Make sure it is aligned. Install the nuts, tighten them by hand.
21. With the strut properly aligned at the base and top, place the jack under the lower control arm. Jack the car up until it is SLIGHTLY raised; this will seat the shock absorber in the knuckle.
22. Install and tighten the tie bolt to 65 Nm.
23. Tighten the three upper mounting nuts to 39 Nm. Install the rubber cover on the upper mount.
24. Install the stabilizer bar, tighten the bolts to 22 Nm.
25. Install the brake caliper. Install the brake pipe bracket to the strut; tighten it only to 10 Nm.
26. Install the front wheels and lower the car to the ground.