Gaiter - Front Shock Absorber

Gaiter - Front Shock Absorber

Removal

1. CAUTION: Replacement of nuts and bolts: Various thread-locking devices are used on nuts and bolts throughout the vehicle. These devices restrict the number of times a nut or bolt can be used.

Open engine compartment and fit paintwork protection covers to fenders.
2. Raise front of vehicle and support on stands.
3. Remove front wheel.

4. CAUTION: The suspension must remain supported by the jack throughout this operation, to prevent damage to the upper and lower ball-joints.

Place a jack under the lower wishbone, raise the jack until the weight of the suspension is supported.





5. Remove shock absorber upper-mounting nuts.
Remove covers.
Vehicles fitted with adaptive damping: disconnect connector.
Remove nuts.





6. Remove nut securing shock absorber to lower mounting, DO NOT remove bolt at this stage.
7. Carefully lower the jack supporting the suspension, while guiding the shock absorber, upper mounting studs through the body. Stop lowering the jack when the studs have passed through the body.





8. CAUTION: For installation reference, note position of washers and shims before removing fulcrum shaft.

Release upper wishbone from crossbeam, to provide access for the removal of the shock absorber and spring assembly.
Remove nut.
Remove fulcrum shaft.
Collect washers and shims.
Release upper wishbone from crossbeam.





9. CAUTION: Do not stretch the brake hose when removing shock absorber and spring assembly.

With assistance, remove shock absorber and spring assembly.
Remove bolt from shock absorber lower mounting.
Remove shock absorber and spring assembly from vehicle.





10. Reposition upper wishbone.
Align upper wishbone to crossbeam.
Temporarily fit fulcrum shaft.





11. Position shock absorber and spring assembly in spring compressor tool.
Secure spring compressor in a vice.
Position adapter tool in lower arms of the spring compressor, make sure arms locate into adapter tool recesses.
Position shock absorber and spring assembly in spring compressor, make sure lower spring pan is seated correctly in adapter tool.





12. Locate upper arms of spring compressor as near to the top of the spring coil as possible.





13. Compress spring.
Rotate tool handle to compress the spring.
Stop compressing the spring when a gap appears between the spring and upper mounting.





14. Remove upper mounting from shock absorber.
Remove nut.
Remove upper mounting.





15. Remove gaiter assembly from upper mounting.
Disengage gaiter from upper mounting.
Remove spring assister from gaiter.
16. Clean relevant parts.

Installation





1. NOTE: To ease fitting apply a suitable lubricant to the spring assister and gaiter.

NOTE: Make sure the gaiter assembly is seated securely and squarely into the upper mounting.

Assemble upper mounting.
Insert spring assister fully into gaiter.
Insert gaiter into upper mounting location.





2. Fit upper mounting to shock absorber.





3. CAUTION: Make sure the correct torque setting Is applied to the appropriate suspension system.

Fit upper mounting securing nut.
Adaptive damping: Fit and tighten nut.
Non-adaptive damping: Fit and tighten nut.





4. Align shock absorber to upper mounting, and release spring pressure.
Align the shock absorber lower bush-bore so that it is parallel with two of the upper-mounting studs.
Rotate tool handle to release spring pressure.





5. Remove shock absorber and spring assembly from spring compressor.Release retaining arms
Remove adapter tool
Remove shock absorber and spring assembly.





6. Final alignment of shock absorber with upper mounting studs.
Fit jaw protectors to vice.
Secure assembly in the vice by clamping across two of the upper mounting studs.
Align the lower bush bore so that it is parallel with two of the upper mounting studs.
Remove assembly from vice.





7. Release upper wishbone to provide access for the fitting of the shock absorber and spring assembly. Remove fulcrum shaft. Release upper wishbone.





8. CAUTION: Do not stretch brake-hose when fitting shock absorber and spring assembly.

With assistance, fit shock absorber and spring assembly.
Position shock absorber to lower mounting
Fit bolt to lower mounting, DO NOT fit nut at this stage.





9. Fit upper wishbone.
Position wishbone to crossbeam.
Fit fulcrum shaft; washers and shims in the positions noted in removal.
Fit and tighten nut.





10. Fit shock absorber and spring assembly upper-mounting to body.
Raise suspension carefully on jack, and guide upper mounting studs into body stud-holes.
Fit and tighten nuts.
Vehicles fitted with adaptive damping: connect connector.
Fit covers.





11. Fit nut to shock absorber lower mounting.
Fit and tighten nut.
12. Lower and remove jack supporting suspension.
13. Fit wheel.
14. Remove stands and lower vehicle.
15. Remove paintwork protection covers.