Disassembly, inspection and assembly of the shock absorber strut (Opel Corsa B)

Disassembly

1. Remove the shock absorber strut. The components of the strut assembly are shown on the accompanying illustration.

Assembling the shock absorber strut



2. Compress the spring using a special device by approximately 10 mm so that you can turn the upper support of the strut by hand.

Insert the device into the spring coils so that they are securely gripped and the device cannot slip. The spring must be compressed at two, or better yet, at three opposite points. The spring is compressed with great force, so only a reliable device should be used. Never compress the spring with wire. The shock absorber rod mounting nut can only be loosened when the spring is compressed.

3. Loosen the self-locking nut on the shock absorber rod, holding the rod from turning by the hexagon.

Loosening the self-locking nut on the shock absorber rod

Do not tap the nut with an impact tool to avoid damaging the stem sealing ring.

4. Remove the plate and support bearing with spacer from the shock absorber rod.

5. Remove the upper spring cup with the damping ring from the shock absorber.

6. Slowly loosen the spring and remove it together with the cover.

7. Remove the compression buffer from the shock absorber rod.

Checking and assembly

1. Check the shock absorber. To do this, hold the shock absorber vertically and check its proper functioning, both at full and at short (50÷100 mm) stroke of the rod. In both cases, the resistance should be soft, even and constant. If signs of malfunction are detected, both shock absorbers should be replaced.

2. Check the rubber parts of the support and the spring for cracks and deformations; replace defective parts if necessary.

3. Install a new compression buffer onto the shock absorber rod.

4. Place the casing on the rod.

5. Install the spring on the lower cup and compress it with a special device.

The end of the spring should be in contact with the bottom cup.

The lower end of the spring should rest against the stopper of its cup



6. Install the damping ring and the upper cup. The spring cup should be placed so that the mounting hole (arrow down) was located opposite the lower shock absorber mount (arrow up).



Damping ring and upper cup



7. Place the spacer, support bearing and upper support plate onto the shock absorber rod and secure with a new self-locking nut. Tighten the nut with force 55 Nm.

8. Unload the spring.

9. Install the shock absorber strut in place (see section Front suspension).