Spring and shock absorber

Essential equipment

spring compressor

shock absorber piston rod nut removal tool

Tightening torques
shock absorber piston rod nut	6.2 daN.m
shock absorber top mount bolt	2.1 daN.m
shock absorber foot bolt	10.5 daN.m
stabiliser bar link ball joint nut	4.4 daN.m
wheel bolt	11 daN.m
battery cover screw	0.4 daN.m

REMOVAL

• Position the vehicle on a two-post lift.
• Disconnect the battery, starting with the negative terminal.
• Remove the front wheels.
• Unclip the brake hose from the shock absorber and the wheel speed sensor cable.

• Remove the seal (1).
• Cut out the access panel at (2).
• Remove:

• the plastic rivets of the access panel,
• the upper stabiliser bar link nut.

• Disconnect the stabiliser bar link ball joint

• Remove the shock absorber foot bolt (3).
• Remove the shock absorber foot from the hub carrier by pressing on the hub carrier.
• Support the steering knuckle carrier.

• Remove:

• the three shock absorber top mount bolts (4),
• the "spring - shock absorber" assembly.

• Fit the appropriate cups on the spring compressor and position the assembly on the spring.
• Release the spring from the cups by compressing the spring.

• Remove the shock absorber rod nut using the shock absorber rod nut removal tool.
• Separate the components of the "spring - shock absorber" assembly.

INSTALLATION

Note: When replacing the spring, to make refitting easier, observe the position and orientation of the spring and the tool spring seats.

• Position the spring in the groove of the cup.

• Observe the order and direction of installation of the components.

Note: Observe the orientation of the rotating stop to make installation easier.

• Always replace the shock absorber rod nut.
• Tighten the shock absorber rod nut to torque (6.2 daN.m).
• Decompress the spring.
• Remove the spring compressor.

• Place the indexing tab (5) in its housing.
• Refit in the reverse order of removal.

WARNING

• Refit the brake hose and the wheel speed sensor wiring, if they were unclipped.
• Do not twist the brake hose.

• Tighten to the following torques:

• the shock absorber top mount bolts (2.1 daN.m),
• the shock absorber foot bolt (10.5 daN.m),
• the anti-roll bar link nut (4.4 daN.m),
• the wheel mounting bolts (11 daN.m),
• the battery cover bolts (0.4 daN.m).

WARNING

Connect the battery; carry out the necessary relearn procedures (Chapter Battery).

Note: Be sure to initialise the xenon lighting system (if the vehicle is so equipped; see Xenon lamps chapter).