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Home >> Chrysler >> 1999 >> Sebring Convertible L4-2.4L VIN X >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering and Suspension >> Suspension >> Suspension Strut / Shock Absorber >> Service and Repair >> Overhaul >> Front

Front

The shock assembly must be removed from the vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled. Refer to REPLACEMENT for the required procedure.

For the disassembly and assembly of the shock assembly, use strut spring compressor Pentastar Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equivalent, to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

DISASSEMBLY
1. If both shocks are being serviced at the same time, mark the coil spring and shock assembly according to which side of the vehicle the shock was removed from, and which shock the coil spring was removed from.

Lower Hooks And Clamp:




Upper Hooks Positioned:





2. Position the shock assembly in the strut coil spring compressor following the manufacturer's instructions. Set the lower hooks and install the clamp on the lower end of the coil spring, so the shock is held in place once the shock shaft nut is removed. Rotate the shock assembly so the upper control arm ball joint sits directly below the front upper hook as shown. Position the upper hooks on top of the upper mounting bracket.

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE SHOCK ROD NUT BEFORE THE COIL SPRING IS COMPRESSED. THE COIL SPRING IS HELD UNDER PRESSURE AND MUST BE COMPRESSED, REMOVING SPRING TENSION FROM THE UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET BEFORE THE ROD NUT IS REMOVED.

3. Compress the coil spring until all coil spring tension is removed from the upper mounting bracket.

Retainer Nut Removal/Installation:





4. Hold the shock rod from rotating using special socket Snap-On A136, or an equivalent, and remove the retainer nut.

Washer:





5. Remove the upper bushing retainer washer from the shock absorber rod.
6. Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil spring and remove the shock absorber, lower spring isolator, jounce bumper, cup, dust boot, and lower bushing retainer washer out through the bottom of the coil spring.

NOTE:
- If the coil spring, upper mounting bracket, rod bushings, upper coil spring isolator, or upper control arm need to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 11.
- Before removing the coil spring from the spring compressor, note the position of the lower coil spring end to the spring compressor. The coil spring will need to be in this position on reassembly for proper coil spring-to-shock absorber and upper mounting bracket orientation.

7. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive fully. Push back the compressor upper hooks and remove the upper mounting bracket and upper control arm from the coil spring.
8. Note the position of the coil spring in the spring compressor as listed in the above note before removal. This is necessary for proper alignment of the shock assembly components when reassembly is made. Remove the coil spring from the spring compressor.

Shock Absorber Rod Upper Isolator Bushing:





9. Remove the shock absorber rod upper isolator bushing from the upper (shock absorber/upper control arm) mounting bracket.

Shock Absorber Rod Lower Isolator Bushing:





10. Remove the shock absorber rod lower isolator bushing and sleeve from the upper (shock absorber/ upper control arm) mounting bracket. Remove upper coil spring isolator from mounting bracket.

NOTE: If removal of the upper control arm is necessary, refer to UPPER CONTROL ARM.

Shock Assembly Components:





11. Remove the lower shock rod bushing retainer washer from the shock absorber rod.

12. Remove the dust shield and cup as an assembly from the shock absorber rod by pulling both. straight up and off the shock rod. The jounce bumper may come off at the same time. Remove the jounce bumper and metal collar.
13. Remove the lower spring isolator from the lower spring seat on the shock absorber.
14. Inspect the shock assembly components for the following and replace as necessary:
- Inspect the shock for any condition of rod binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
- Check the upper mounting bracket for cracks, distortion and any sign of damage.
- Inspect the upper mounting bracket-upper control bushings for deterioration of the rubber.
- Check the upper and lower shock rod isolator bushings for severe deterioration of the rubber.
- Check the upper and lower spring isolators for severe deterioration of the rubber.
- Inspect the dust shield for rips and deterioration.
- Inspect the jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.
- Inspect the coil spring for any sign of damage to the coating.

ASSEMBLY

NOTE:
- If the coil spring, upper mounting bracket, rod bushings, upper coil spring isolator, and upper control arm have been removed from the spring compressor, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 7.
- If removed, reinstall the upper control arm on the upper mounting bracket before proceeding.

Shock Absorber Rod Lower Isolator Bushing:





1. Install the upper coil spring isolator on the upper (shock absorber/upper control arm) mounting bracket.

Upper And Lower Shock Absorber Rod Bushing Identification:





CAUTION: The top and bottom shock absorber rod isolator bushings are unique to the position which they are installed on the rod. When installing the bushings on the rod, attention must be paid to their location so they are installed correctly.

Shock Absorber Rod Upper Isolator Bushing:





2. Install the sleeve into the lower shock absorber rod isolator bushing. Install the shock absorber rod lower isolator bushing and sleeve in the bottom of the upper (shock absorber/upper control arm) mounting bracket as shown. From the top, install the shock absorber rod upper isolator bushing into the center of the upper mounting bracket over the sleeve protruding from the lower isolator bushing. The smaller end of each bushing is to face away from the upper mounting bracket once installed.
3. Place the lower end (smaller diameter) of the coil spring in the spring compressor supported by the lower hooks, following the manufacturer's instructions. Position the coil spring lower end tip at the position it was at before coil spring removal from the compressor as noted in step of DISASSEMBLY. Proper orientation of the spring in the compressor is necessary for proper alignment of all shock assembly components.

Upper Hooks Positioned:





4. Install the upper (shock absorber/upper control arm) mounting bracket on top of the coil spring matching the coil spring to its isolator on the upper mounting bracket. Position the upper control arm ball joint so it lies directly below the front upper hook as shown.
5. Position the upper hooks on top of the upper mounting bracket as shown.
6. Compress the coil spring.

Shock Assembly Components:





7. Install the lower spring isolator on the lower spring seat of the shock absorber. When installing the spring isolator, be sure the isolator sets in the notch made for the lower coil spring end.

Jounce Bumper Installation:





8. Install the jounce bumper on the shock rod. Install the jounce bumper with the pointed end pointing downward.

Shock Absorber Rod Collar Installation:





9. Install the collar, undercut side facing down, on the rod of the shock absorber. Be sure the collar is positioned squarely on the step of the shock absorber rod.
10. Install the dust shield and cup onto the shock rod until the cup contacts the collar just installed. The dust boot will snap over the jounce bumper. Install the lower shock rod bushing retainer washer.

Lower Hooks And Clamp:





11. Install the shock through the bottom of the coil spring until the lower spring seat contacts the lower end of the coil spring. The lower coil spring end should set into the notch of the shock absorber lower seat and isolator. Install the clamp temporarily securing the shock absorber to the coil spring.
12. Install the upper shock rod bushing retainer washer. Make sure the concave side is facing up.

Retainer Nut Removal/Installation:





13. Install the shock assembly retainer nut. Hold the shock rod from rotating using special socket Snap-On A136, or an equivalent, and tighten the retainer nut using a crow foot wrench (on the end of a torque wrench and extension) to a torque of 55 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
14. Slowly release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive fully. As the tension is relieved, make sure the upper mounting bracket, isolator, and coil spring align properly. Remove the clamp from the lower end of the coil spring and shock. Push back the spring compressor upper and lower hooks, then remove the shock assembly from the spring compressor.
15. Install shock assembly on the vehicle.


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