Withdrawal
1. Remove the front wheel.
2. Separate the brake hose bracket of the brake system from the front suspension strut.
Attention! Do not tear or damage the brake pipe.
3. Turn away nuts of the top fastening of a rack.
4. Turn away nuts, get bolts of fastening of a rack to a rotary fist and get a rack from under a wing of the car.
Disassembly
1. Use a flathead screwdriver to remove the dust cap.
2. Using J38402, -42, compress the spring of the front suspension strut.
Attention! Use only a reliable tool to compress the spring.
3. Loosen the lock nut at the top of the damper rod.
4. Remove the strut post, upper spring seat, coil spring, dust cover, and lower spring seat.
Examination
1. Check the strut support bearing for wear or damage.
2. Check rubber parts for damage or deterioration.
3. Check the coil spring for deflection and loss of elasticity.
- 1) Check and adjust tire pressure.
- 2) Load the vehicle with the cargo that is normally carried in it.
- 3) To check the spring, make a test drive, then perform the following checks step by step.
- 4) Test each shock absorber by successively pressing hard and lifting up to the corner of the bumper closest to the shock absorber being tested. At each check, apply the same amount of force and note the resistance when pressed and returned to its original state. Compare the results of the check with a car whose driving quality is satisfactory. Both shock absorbers on the same axle of the car must provide the same resistance. If the resistance is different, perform the following checks.
- 5) Raise the rear axle of the vehicle enough to relieve the suspension struts.
- 6) Turn out bolts of the lower fastening of racks. Compress the struts at varying rates throughout the entire travel of the shock absorber and in both directions. Compare the results for the two sides of the car when compressed and reset. Rack reset resistance is usually stronger than compression (about one to two times). The right and left racks should show the same results. The difference in results between the front and rear struts is normal.
4. Check the shock absorber for abnormal resistance or abnormal noise.
- 1) Check the tightening torques of the rack mounting threaded connections. Incorrect tightening torques can lead to extraneous noise.
- 2) If all fastenings are in order, in order to isolate the damaged unit, perform the check in accordance with points 3 and 4).
- 3) Take a test drive to check.
- 4) If one of the rear suspension struts is impacting, raise the vehicle's rear axle just enough to relieve the suspension struts. Turn out bolts of the lower fastening of racks. Check the strut for abnormal noise by quickly and fully squeezing it. If only a hissing noise is heard, this is normal.
- 5) Other unwanted noises can be detected by deliberately rocking the car up and down. Any sound other than a hiss is abnormal, so the stand needs to be replaced.
5. Check the shock absorber for leakage.
- 1) Fully stretch the damper while turning the damper rod and check the area around the stem seal.
- 2) Check for fluid leaks at the stem seal area.
- 3) A slight buildup of fluid is not a reason to replace the shock absorber, as a slight leak provides lubrication to the stem.
- 4) Significant fluid leakage from the shock absorber can be easily detected by traces of fluid, and the shock absorber must be replaced.
Shock Absorber Disposal
1. Fully extend the shock absorber rod.
2. Drill a hole to remove gas from the cylinder.
Warning! Gas escaping from the shock absorber is safe, but care must be taken to avoid injury from flying chips.
Assembly
1. Install the lower spring seat so that its protrusions fit into the holes of the spring plate.
2. Install the dust cover on the shock absorber.
3. Using special tool J38402, -42, compress the front suspension strut spring. After the spring is fully compressed, install it on the shock absorber.
Attention! Install the coil spring with the markings towards the steering knuckle.
4. Fully extend the damper rod and install the upper spring seat and strut seat.
Attention! Align the D-hole in the upper spring seat with the flat on the damper rod.
5. Correctly position the top and bottom ends of the coil spring into the recesses and install the self-locking nut, but do not fully tighten it.
6. Remove the spring compressor.
7. Tighten the self-locking nut to the correct torque. Tightening torque: 50–70 Nm.
8. Lubricate the upper suspension strut bearing and install the dust cap.
Warning! Make sure that the lubricant does not get on the rubber parts of the strut support.
Installation
1. When installing the front suspension strut, make sure that you have previously cleaned the mating surfaces and that the identification mark is directed towards the rear of the vehicle.
2. Tighten all threaded connections to the required torque.
Torque:
- Top strut nut: 45–60 Nm
- Nut of fastening of a rotary fist to a rack: 130–150 N·m
3. Attach the brake hose and ABS sensor wire to the strut.