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) .

1. Position the shock assembly in the strut coil spring compressor following the manufacturers instructions. First, set the lower hooks on the coil spring, then set the upper hooks. See Fig 1.Fig 2.
   Fig 1: Lower Hooks Positioned

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY

   2 - COMPRESSOR

   3 - LOWER HOOKS

   4 - COIL SPRING

   Fig 2: Upper Hooks Positioned

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY

   2 - COIL SPRING

   3 - UPPER HOOKS

2. Compress the coil spring until enough room is given to remove the coil spring upper seat.
3. Remove the coil spring upper seat. To remove the upper seat, pull up on the shock absorber, collar and jounce bumper, then remove the seat utilizing the cutout in its side. See Fig 3.
   Fig 3: Upper Seat Removal/Installation

   Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

   1 - COLLAR

   2 - COIL SPRING

   3 - UPPER SEAT

   4 - JOUNCE BUMPER

4. Remove the shock absorber out through the bottom of the coil spring. Depending on upper hook positioning, it may be necessary to release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive first, before the shock collar and upper eye can be pulled through the coil spring. 
   NOTE: If the coil spring needs to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step 6.
5. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive fully. Push back the compressor upper hooks and remove the coil spring from the spring compressor.
6. Inspect the shock assembly components for the following and replace as necessary:
   1. Inspect the shock absorber for any condition of shaft binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
   2. Check the upper seat and lower seat for cracks and distortion.
   3. Inspect the jounce bumper for cracks and signs of deterioration.
   4. Inspect the plastic collar for cracks and signs of deterioration.