When the shock absorbers or coil springs are worn (leak fluid, have no damping or are damaged physically) then examine all alternatives before attempting any form of work, since the shock absorber cannot be serviced and only needs replacement in an event of a problem. The shock absorber/coil spring assemblies can be bought on the exchange basis; this can save on time and effort and hence you need to make sure that the cost and availability of parts before dismantling the vehicle. Installation: This should be performed when replacing an entire spring/shock absorber assembly, and only the upper
Control Arm is to be removed, unless it is being replaced entirely. Install the shock absorber and spring assembly with the upper control arm still in place (unless the complete assembly is being replaced). To ease the pressure on the spring of the upper seat, fit-in a spring compressor so that the coil spring compresses evenly. Indicate the upper spring seat and loosen the nut of the shock absorber damper shaft without rotating the shaft. Take out the nut, mounting plate, washer, upper spring seat and spring upper spring support, labeling the spring upper spring support to the spring seat. Loosen the dust boot, rubber bump stop and take off the compressed coil spring and protective cap cautiously of the shock absorber piston. Align the lower spring seat support and the spring seat with an alignment mark and remove the lower spring support and, as needed, detach the lower spring seat out of the shock absorber body. Inspect every part of the wear or damage, and replace it, as necessary, and the shock, whether it leaks fluid, and the damper shaft whether it is pitted. Test the operation of the shock and make sure that it is smooth and does not feel jerky or has any signs of wear. In case the coil spring is of any concern, take the spring compressor off and examine the spring whether it is distorted or cracked and replace it. Check the rest of the parts to see whether they are damaged or not and change the suspect ones. Install the lower spring seat, lower spring support, protective cap, bump stop and boot again on the damper shaft and install the coil spring ensuring that it is correctly positioned against the spring seat stop. Secure the upper spring support and spring seat, washer and upper mounting to the top of the shock aligning the marks and making sure that the spring seat is in place. Install new damper shaft nut, ensure that the shaft does not rotate, and screw the nut to the required torque. Lastly, very gently unscrew the spring compressor and pull out making sure the spring ends are in their right place then re-attach the spring compressor to the shock absorber assembly.