Contents: Disassembly ⇊ To install: ⇊
1. Raise and secure the front of the vehicle with jacks. Remove the front wheels.
2. Disconnect the brake hose bracket from the strut. Remove the shock absorber clamp bolt.
3. Remove the shock absorber fork bolt and the fork itself.
4. Unscrew the 3 nuts from the upper shock absorber mount in the engine compartment. Remove the shock absorber assembly.
CAUTION: Do not remove the center (axle) nut at the top of the shock absorber.
Disassembly
5. Install the spring compressor onto the spring. Tighten the compressor just enough to remove the spring force from the upper cup.
6. 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.
7. Remove the upper mount. Carefully remove the seals, gaskets and bushing at the top of the strut; keep them in order for correct subsequent assembly. Remove the compressed spring.
8. 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.
9. Manually check the shock absorber for smooth operation over the entire stroke length. Also check it for smoothness during short (50-100 mm) shocks. Replace the unit if you feel any sign of unevenness or binding.
To install:
10. Place the stand assembly upright. If using a vice, place something between the jaws to prevent damage.
11. Install the limiter and dust cover. Install the compressed spring, making sure that its lower end is in the cup in its place.
12. Install the top cup, gaskets, bushing, seals and mount.
13. Install a new axle nut and tighten it to 30 Nm.
14. Install the shock absorber fork over the drive shaft and lower arm. Install the shock absorber into the fork so that the alignment tab on the strut matches the slot in the fork. Align the three top bolts with the holes in the shock absorber.
15. Install the bolts and nuts, tightening them by hand.
16. With the strut properly aligned at the base and top, place the jack under the lower control arm. Raise the jack until the car is SLIGHTLY raised; this will force the shock absorber into the fork.
17. Tighten the lower fork bolt to 65 Nm.
18. Tighten the clamping bolt to 44 Nm. Do not tighten the upper mounting nuts yet.
19. Attach the brake hose bracket to the strut.
20. Install the front wheels and lower the car to the ground, thereby loading the suspension.
21. Tighten the upper mounting nuts to 39 Nm.