The popular MacPherson type suspension today is good in that the shock absorber strut used in it performs many functions at the same time. But it falls into disrepair and damping of suspension vibrations does not occur. This affects not only comfort, but also safety.
Necessary
- - a set of keys and screwdrivers;
- - a set of hex keys;
- - jack;
- - wheel chocks;
- - support for the car;
- - pullers of steering rods and springs;
- - a special key for unscrewing the nut from the stem.
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare your vehicle for repairs. To do this, install wheel chocks under the rear wheels, tear off the bolts securing the wheel to the hub. Your task is to remove the shock absorber for subsequent disassembly. Purchase a shock strut repair kit in advance, as well as oil for refilling the cartridges. Jack up the side to be repaired and remove the wheel by removing the bolts. Then place the car on a support to make it more stable.
Step 2
Loosen the nut on the strut rod. To do this, remove the rubber or plastic plug that covers the support bearing. Use a 19 socket wrench to rip off the nut. If it scrolls with the stem, you will have to use a special wrench that can simultaneously hold the stem and turn the nut. Now mark the position of your car's wheel hub in relation to the strut. This avoids the costly camber adjustment procedure.
Step 3
Remove the three nuts that secure the journal bearing to the body. Next, remove the two bolts that secure the hub to the strut. Remove the stand assembly by pulling it down. Now you need to compress the spring and remove the washers, bumper, bearing and boot. The last one to remove is the spring. If the shock absorber is collapsible, then you will see a large nut on its top. It can be unscrewed using a chisel and hammer if there is no special key. Do not knock hard so as not to destroy the nut.
Step 4
Unscrew the nut completely and remove the shock cartridge with the rod. We can say that the disassembly of the shock absorber is complete. Next, you will have to disassemble the small nodes on the cartridge. At the bottom of it, you will find a valve that collapses over time. It is advisable to replace it during repair. There are several rubber bands on the stem, which wear out, take on an intricate shape, as a result of which the oil gradually seeps out of the rack.
Step 5
Remove the valve from the cartridge. To do this, you need to lightly tap the edge of the valve with a sharp chisel. To remove the stem from the cartridge, you will need to use an extension wrench. Use a wrench to hold the nut on the lower end of the stem, and use pliers or an 8-point open-end wrench to hold the upper part of the stem. On some cars, struts are used in which the stem has a hexagonal hole in the upper part. A hex key is inserted into it. The shock absorber is now ready for repair. After replacing all rubber gaskets, fill with fresh oil and bleed the shock absorber by fully extending and pushing the stem 5-6 times.
