REPLACING SHOCK ABSORBERS

Visit your local Supercheap Auto or Parts Guide to find replacement shock What you’ll need:
absorbers for your car. If we don’t have them on the shelf we will be able to order
New rubber mounts
them in within in a few days.
New shock absorbers

Spanner or socket set

Tips and warnings

• Shock absorbers reduce suspension oscillations. They operate by forcing oil through small valves, converting
the movement of the shock absorber into heat. Too much heat can cause the oil to thin reducing the
effectiveness of its operation
• The two most common types of shock absorbers are strut cartridges and telescopic shock absorbers - they
have different replacement procedures so confirm in your owner’s manual which procedure is right for your car
• It’s important to always replace shock absorbers and strut inserts in pairs – this ensures the suspension has
the same characteristics for left and right sides
• Always replace the rubber mounts when replacing shock absorbers – they isolate the shock absorbers from
the vehicle body.

Procedure

Telescopic Shock Absorbers

Step 1 - Remove telescopic shock absorber

If the shock absorber is not integrated with the strut assembly, make
sure the vehicle weight is supported and then loosen the fasteners at
the top and bottom of the shock absorber. Slide the shock absorber
away from the mounting boss and remove it from the vehicle.

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 Step 2 - Refit telescopic shock absorber
Fit the rubber mountings to both ends of the shock absorber and locate
the unit on the vehicle. Fit the other half of the rubber mounts to the
mounting boss and attach the fastener.

Make sure you tighten the mounts to the manufacturers recommended

torque.

Strut Type Shock Absorbers

Step 1 - Remove shock absorber from strut assembly

If the shock absorber is part of the whole strut assembly, you will need
to remove that first before you can replace the shock absorber. Strut
assemblies can be attached to the vehicle in a number of different
ways, so refer to the manufacturer’s manual for the vehicle you are
working on and follow the instructions in how to remove it.

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 Step 2 - Compress the spring
Mount the strut assembly securely in a vice ensuring that you do not
damage the casing, and attach the spring compressors to the coil
springs and compress the coils.

Step 3 - Remove the spring

Loosen and remove the nut that secures the top mount to the shaft.
Remove the top mount and the upper spring cradle, and remove the
spring.

Step 4 - Remove the cartridge

Loosen and remove the nut that locates the strut cartridge within the
strut housing and withdraw the cartridge.

Step 5 - Fit the new the cartridge

Fit the new strut cartridge into the strut housing and tighten the
securing nut.

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 Step 6 - Refit the spring
Fit the bump stop to the shaft and fit the compressed spring. Locate
the upper cradle and top mount on the shaft and tighten the securing
nut. Loosen the spring compressor while guiding the spring into its
correct position within the upper and lower cradle.

Step 7 - Refit the strut assembly

Refer to the manual and follow the instructions on how to refit the strut
assembly. Repeat the procedure for the strut assembly on the other
side.

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