Rear suspension strut/shock absorber - removal and refitting

Suspension and steering / Rear suspension strut/shock absorber - removal and refitting

1 Remove the rear wheel.

2 Working inside the rear of the car, remove the parcel tray then remove the cap from the top of the strut by twisting it anti-clockwise (see illustration).

8.2 Remove the cap from the top of the rear suspension strut

3 Support the trailing arm with a trolley jack.

4 Unscrew the nut from the top of the shock absorber rod, if necessary holding the rod stationary with a spanner. Remove the cup and upper buffer.

5 Working beneath the car remove the lower mounting bolt, then lower the trailing arm sufficient to withdraw the strut/shock absorber. Keep the coil spring, seat and bump stop components in their fitted positions (see illustrations).

8.5a Rear suspension strut lower mounting bolt

8.5b View of the rear suspension strut upper mounting from below

6 Remove the upper spring seat, coil spring, lower buffer, washer, bump stop and bellows and, if the unit is to be renewed, the lower spring retainer (see illustration).

8.6 Exploded view of the rear suspension components

7 If the shock absorber is faulty it will normally make a knocking noise as the car is driven over rough surfaces, however with the unit removed uneven resistance tight spots will be evident as the central rod is operated.

Check the condition of the buffers, bump stop and bellows and renew them if necessary.

Before fitting the strut/shock absorber operate it fully several times in an upright position and check that the resistance is even and without any tight spots.

Refitting
8 Refitting is a reversal of removal, but make sure that the coil spring is correctly located in the seats. Delay tightening the lower mounting bolt until the full weight of the car is on the roadwheels.