Shock Assembly: Disassembly

The shock assembly must be removed from the vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled. (Refer to SUSPENSION/FRONT/SHOCK - REMOVAL) 

For the disassembly and assembly of the shock assembly, use strut spring compressor Pentastar Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or equivalent, to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

1. If both shocks are being serviced at the same time, mark the coil spring and shock assembly according to which side of the vehicle the shock was removed from, and which shock the coil spring was removed from.
2. Position the shock assembly in the strut coil spring compressor following the manufacturer's instructions. Set the lower hooks and install the clamp on the lower end of the coil spring, so the shock is held in place once the shock shaft nut is removed. See Fig 1. Rotate the shock assembly so the upper control arm ball joint sits directly below the front upper hook as shown in illustration. See Fig 2. Position the upper hooks on top of the upper mounting bracket. See Fig 2.
   Fig 1: Lower Hooks And Clamp

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - COMPRESSOR

   2 - CLAMP

   3 - COIL SPRING

   4 - LOWER HOOKS

   Fig 2: Upper Hooks Positioned

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - UPPER HOOKS

   2 - UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET

   3 - UPPER CONTROL ARM

   4 - UPPER BALL JOINT

   5 - FRONT HOOK

   WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE SHOCK ROD NUT BEFORE THE COIL SPRING IS COMPRESSED. THE COIL SPRING IS HELD UNDER PRESSURE AND MUST BE COMPRESSED, REMOVING SPRING TENSION FROM THE UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET BEFORE THE ROD NUT IS REMOVED.
3. Compress the coil spring until all coil spring tension is removed from the upper mounting bracket.
4. Hold the shock rod from rotating using special socket Snap-On® A136, or an equivalent, and remove the retainer nut. See Fig 3.
   Fig 3: Retainer Nut Removal/Installation

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - SHOCK ABSORBER SOCKET SNAP-ON A136 ®

   2 - CROW FOOT

5. Remove the upper bushing retainer washer from the shock absorber rod. See Fig 4.
   Fig 4: Washer

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - SHOCK ABSORBER/UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET

   2 - ISOLATOR BUSHING

   3 - WASHER

   NOTE: While removing the shock absorber from the coil spring, the dust shield and cup, and perhaps the jounce bumper will get caught inside coil spring requiring it to be left until the coil spring is removed from the compressor. It may be left there until the shock absorber is installed if removal is not necessary. Use care not to misplace the lower bushing retainer washer.
6. Remove the clamp from the bottom of the coil spring and remove the shock absorber, lower spring isolator, jounce bumper, cup, dust boot, and lower bushing retainer washer out through the bottom of the coil spring.
   NOTE: If the coil spring, upper mounting bracket, rod bushings, upper coil spring isolator, or upper control arm need to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 11.
   NOTE: Before removing the coil spring from the spring compressor, note the position of the lower coil spring end to the spring compressor. The coil spring will need to be in this position on reassembly for proper coil spring-to-shock absorber and upper mounting bracket orientation.
7. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive fully. Push back the compressor upper hooks and remove the upper mounting bracket and upper control arm from the coil spring.
8. Note the position of the coil spring in the spring compressor as listed in the above note before removal. This is necessary for proper alignment of the shock assembly components when reassembly is made. Remove the coil spring from the spring compressor.
9. Remove the shock absorber rod upper isolator bushing from the upper (shock absorber/upper control arm) mounting bracket. See Fig 5.
   Fig 5: Shock Absorber Rod Upper Isolator Bushing

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - SHOCK ABSORBER/CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET

   2 - SHOCK ABSORBER ROD UPPER ISOLATOR BUSHING

10. Remove the shock absorber rod lower isolator bushing and sleeve from the upper (shock absorber/upper control arm) mounting bracket. See Fig 6. Remove upper coil spring isolator from mounting bracket.
    Fig 6: Shock Absorber Rod Lower Isolator Bushing

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - SHOCK ABSORBER/CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BRACKET

    2 - UPPER SPRING ISOLATOR

    3 - SLEEVE

    4 - LOWER ISOLATOR BUSHING

    NOTE: If removal of the upper control arm is necessary, (Refer to SUSPENSION/FRONT/UPPER CONTROL ARM - REMOVAL) .
11. Remove the lower shock rod bushing retainer washer from the shock absorber rod. See Fig 7.
12. If not already removed, remove the jounce bumper and metal collar from the shock absorber rod. See Fig 7.
    Fig 7: Shock Assembly Components

    Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

    1 - SHOCK ABSORBER ROD BUSHING

    2 - UPPER CONTROL ARM

    3 - RETAINER WASHER

    4 - COIL SPRING

    5 - SHOCK ABSORBER

    6 - LOWER SPRING ISOLATOR

    7 - JOUNCE BUMPER

    8 - DUST SHIELD

    9 - CUP

    10 - UPPER SPRING ISOLATOR

    11 - UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET

13. Remove the lower spring isolator from the lower spring seat on the shock absorber. See Fig 7.
14. Inspect the shock assembly components for the following and replace as necessary:
    1. Inspect the shock for any condition of rod binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
    2. Check the upper mounting bracket for cracks, distortion and any sign of damage.
    3. Inspect the upper mounting bracket-upper control bushings for deterioration.
    4. Check the upper and lower shock rod isolator bushings for severe deterioration.
    5. Check the upper and lower spring isolators for severe deterioration.
    6. Inspect the dust shield for rips and deterioration.
    7. Inspect the jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.
    8. Inspect the coil spring for any sign of damage to the coating.