We remove the front suspension strut if the technical condition check of the front suspension reveals a malfunction of its elements.
Warning: Shock absorbers and springs should be replaced in pairs, even if only one is faulty.
To perform the work you will need wheel chocks, a stand for the car, a jack, and a special device for unscrewing the shock absorber rod nut (instead of the device, you can use a TORX T50 key and a 24 mm Z-key).
We carry out the work in the following order:
1. Preparing the car for maintenance and repair
2. Remove the front windshield wiper arms and both parts of the ventilation grille.
3. Using a 10 mm wrench, unscrew the engine compartment cross member mounting bolts (one on the right and one on the left side).
4. Using a slotted screwdriver, remove the two holders and remove the jumper in the central part.
5. Similarly, we disconnect the holders from the right...
...and the left side.
6. Remove the engine compartment cross member.
7. Using a slotted screwdriver, pry up and remove the protective cover of the upper shock absorber mount nut.
8. Using a 24 mm wrench, loosen the nut of the upper shock absorber mount. If necessary, hold the rod from turning with a TORX T50 key.
9. Place chocks under the rear wheels and lift the front of the car.
10. Remove the front wheel.
11. Disconnect the anti-roll bar from the shock absorber bracket.
12. Disconnect the brake hose from the shock absorber bracket.
13. Clean the nuts of the bolts that secure the steering knuckle to the shock absorber strut from dirt and treat them with penetrating lubricant.
14. Using an 18 mm wrench, unscrew the two nuts...
...and using a hammer we knock out the bolts.
Note: The steering knuckle mounting bolts have a splined section, which prevents them from turning when the nut is screwed on and off.
15. Disconnect the steering knuckle from the strut and secure it to the body.
16. Finally, unscrew the upper nut securing the shock absorber strut and remove the support washer.
17. Remove the strut from the wheel arch and clamp it in a vice, placing wooden blocks underneath.
Warning! Be careful! The compressed spring has a lot of energy and when the tie breaks, it can straighten out and cause injury. Do not loosen the shock absorber rod nut until the spring is securely locked in place.
18. Install special spring clamps and tighten the spring evenly on both sides until the load is removed from the upper spring cup.
19. Using a 24 mm wrench, unscrew the shock absorber rod nut, holding the rod from turning with a TORX T50 wrench.
20. Remove the upper support of the strut assembly with the thrust bearing.
21. Carefully remove the spring from the shock absorber rod (without removing the tie from it).
22. Remove the protective cover of the rod.
23. Remove the compression stroke buffer from the rod.
24. By fully extending and retracting the rod, we make sure that the shock absorber is in good working order. If you feel dips, jerks, or hear extraneous sounds when moving the rod, replace the shock absorber.
25. We check the integrity and serviceability of all elements of the shock absorber strut - the gasket of the lower support cup of the spring, the coil spring,
...we pay special attention to the condition of the upper support and its bearing.
We replace damaged or badly worn parts.
26. When assembling, we rest the lower coil of the spring against a special protrusion of the lower cup.
27. Assemble the shock absorber strut in reverse order. Tighten the rod nut to the prescribed torque, indicated in the reference data.
28. Install the stand on the car. Tighten the upper strut mount nut, steering knuckle mount nuts and anti-roll bar mount nut to the specified torques.
29. We repair the second shock absorber strut in a similar manner.
(Information taken from the official website CHEVYMAN)