Removal and installation
WARNING: Requires special tools or equivalent. A spring compressor must be used to remove the spring from the strut.
1. Block the front wheels securely. Raise and securely support the rear of the vehicle.
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Disconnect the brake pipe from the hose. Immediately seal the pipe and hose to prevent fluid leakage and dirt from entering.
4. Disconnect the anti-roll bar from the lower arm.
5. Remove the brake drum and disconnect the parking brake cable.
6. Remove the bolt securing the shock absorber to the hub.
7. Remove the shock absorber mounting nuts.
CAUTION: Do not remove the center or 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 pressure from the top cup.
10. Only after the spring is compressed, remove the center nut. While removing the nut, use a hex wrench of the correct size to keep the shaft from turning.
11. Remove the upper mount. Carefully remove the seals, spacers and bearing at the top of the shock absorber. Remove the compressed spring.
12. If the spring needs to be checked or replaced, slowly release the tension on the compressor levers. Remove the tool after the spring has been completely released.
13. Manually check the shock absorber over the entire travel range, as well as during sharp impacts over a length of 50-100 mm. The shock absorber/strut assembly is not disassembled - the entire unit is replaced.
To install:
14. Stand the stand assembly upright. If using a vice, place the jaws in a vice to prevent damage.
15. Install the rubber stop on the shaft.
16. Compress the spring and install it on the shock absorber. Make sure that the coil at the base is accurately aligned in the seating area. Install the dust cover.
17. Install the spring cup, bearing, seal. Before installing the bearing, coat both sides of it with grease. Make sure that the upper spring cup is aligned with the upper coil of the spring.
18. Install a new upper shaft nut; tighten it to 45 Nm.
19. Slowly loosen the spring compressor.
20. Place the rack in the upper mounting position. Make sure the tab at the base of the rack is aligned with the slot in the rack fork. Install the nuts; tighten them by hand only.
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 the tightening bolt to 55 Nm.
23. Tighten the three mounting nuts to 22 Nm. Install the rubber cap on the upper mount.
24. Connect the parking brake drum.
25. Install transverse stability.
26. Remove the plugs and connect the brake system pipe to the brake hose.
27. Install the rear wheel; lower the car to the ground.