Rear Suspension

Tools Required
^ 999 5498 Socket Wrench
^ 999-5499 Spanner
^ 999 5500 Socket Wrench
^ 999 5501 Spanner

Replacement





1. 4-door (cloth side panel)
a. Remove support panel under front edge of carpet
b. Cut the side panel vents front and rear as illustrated. Fold up the panel cover which covers the shock absorber mounting.





5-door
a. Remove front floor panel screws. Pull panel backwards to release it from its front mountings. Remove panel.





2. Raise the back of the car so that the wheels are free off the ground.
3. Remove the two upper shock absorber mounting bolts.

NOTE: Springs should not be loaded when the bolts are undone.





4. Raise car.
5. Press up the trailing arm to unload the shock absorber. Use a jack. Position it on the recess for the spring mounting bolt.
6. Undo the shock absorber from the lower mounting. Pull the shock absorber off the pivot arm and lower the trailing arm.
7. Lower the car and lift out the shock absorber with upper mounting.





8. Remove the shock absorber upper mounting:
a. Check the bushing on the mounting for wear and damage. Replace if necessary.
b. Use socket wrench and spanner for standard shock absorbers. For nivomat shock absorbers, use socket wrench and spanner.





8. Install mountings on the new shock absorber. Use new nut. Tighten nut:
- For standard shock absorbers to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).
- For nivomat shock absorbers and M12 nut to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).
- For nivomat shock absorbers and M10 nut to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.) and angle-tighten to got





9. Replace shock absorbers in car. Tighten mounting bolts a few turns.





10. Remove:
a. Spring mounting nut.
b. Spring from car.





11. Transfer spring rubber spacer, auxiliary spring and lower mounting to the new spring.
12. Install the new spring.
a. Locate the end of the spring in the trailing arm recess and locate the mounting washer guide pin in the hole on the trailing arm.
b. Install a new nut on the mounting washer. Tighten to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).





13. Place a jack under the trailing arm and lift.
14. Install the shock absorber onto the lower mounting. Tighten upper shock absorber mounting bolts to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.).

NOTE: Check that the spring is correctly positioned in the upper spring seat.





15. Replace:
a. Front edge of panels with clips.
b. Backrest catches. Use locking fluid. Tighten to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
c. Cover plate and boot carpet.





16. 4-door, late model (cloth side panel):
a. Fold down cover over shock absorber mounting.
b. Replace support panel and carpet.





5-door
Align the front edge of the floor panel mounting. Install screws in the rear edge. Align the panel with the rear floor panel and tighten bolts.