Shock absorber struts (Mazda Capella GD)

14.1.1. Removal

The shock absorbers can be removed, but you also need to remove the steering knuckle, since there is a connection to the knuckle on the underside of the shock absorber strut. When removing, refer to Figure 181:

• Place the front of the car on jack stands and remove the wheel.
• Hold the brake hose on the mounting bracket, loosen the union nut of the brake line and unscrew it. Knock the spring clamp (3) out of the hose holder using a hammer and a small mandrel and separate the hose from the upper mount.
• With the ABS installed, unscrew the wiring harness and flat lock washer.
• Remove the rubber cap (5) from the top of the shock absorber strut.
• With the automatic front wheel suspension leveling device installed, disconnect the plug-in wire connections at the top of the spring column and unscrew the device control from the upper support.
• Unscrew the nuts and screws (7) of the flat lock washer for the ignition coil and set the coil aside.
• On the lower side of the shock absorber strut, hold the bolts (8) and loosen the nuts on the other side. They connect the steering knuckle to the shock absorber strut. Carefully knock out both bolts.
• Gently push the steering knuckle down until it separates from the shock absorber strut. You can insert a screwdriver into the slot in the clamp to open it a little.
• Unscrew the four nuts of the upper spring support. If the shock absorber strut needs to be disassembled (for example, to replace a coil spring), then you need to loosen the nut in the middle of the piston rod. Do not remove this nut. Another person must hold the shock absorber strut from below, otherwise it will fall.
• Mark the relative position of the upper spring support with the body shield. The direction sign is drawn (with white paint) on the shock absorber support, which should always be directed forward inward. The shock absorber strut support determines the camber setting of the front wheels.
• Remove the shock absorber strut downwards.

If you want to disassemble the shock absorber strut, you must follow these steps before starting work:

• Coil springs vary between different models. This must be taken into account when ordering new parts. It is also impossible to confuse the springs if both of them have been removed.
• Never clamp the shock absorber strut in a vice, but make a plate onto which the strut can be screwed. After this, the plate can be clamped. A prerequisite for disassembly is the use of a powerful clamping device to compress the spring when removing the shock absorber support.
• Clamp the shock absorber strut in a vice.
• Using the drawing 182, compress the coil spring in a suitable manner until the spring can be removed from both seats.

• Loosen the piston rod nuts on the inside of the upper support and remove them if they are already loose. With the automatic leveling device installed, remove the control element support.
• Remove all the upper support parts, then remove the coil spring from the shock absorber strut. If the same spring is to be installed, the installation position must be marked if the spring is replaced. you need to install a new spring in the same place as the previous one. The details are shown in Figure 183. If you are installing the spring again and do not need to install another spring, you can leave the spring in the clamping device.
• Clean all parts thoroughly with gasoline and dry with compressed air. Make sure that all parts are free from dust and dirt. Replace worn or damaged parts with new ones. Coil springs should always be replaced in pairs. because otherwise the car may be tilted to one side. It is definitely necessary to indicate the car model when ordering a new spring. The spring corresponds to the engine design, the installed gearbox, the automatic shock absorber adjustment device, the presence or absence of an anti-lock device, are color-coded, and only a spring with the corresponding designation can be installed.

14.1.3. Assembling the shock absorber strut

Reassemble the shock absorber strut and shock absorber in the following sequence:

• The parts are installed on the shock absorber strut in accordance with the installation drawing. Install the compressed coil springs and insert them into the lower spring seat. Make sure it sits correctly in the spring seat. The end of the spring should engage with the seat profile of the upper part of the spring.
• Install the parts on top of the spring and tighten the nut in the middle to 65-82 Nm. Make sure that the installed marks on one side of the spring seat point forward after the bearing has been installed. Once the nuts have been tightened, the spring compressor can be removed
• Fill the bearing in the shock absorber support with grease and put on the cap.

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14.1.4. Installing the shock absorber strut

The installation of the shock absorber is carried out in the reverse order of removal, observing the following points:

• Lift the shock absorber strut from below and temporarily lightly screw on the four nuts of the upper spring support. Check again that the alignment marks are pointing in the correct direction.
• Raise the steering knuckle and insert the mounting attachment between the shock absorber strut clamping bars. Install the bolts on the same side as the steering knuckle arm. Insert the snap ring. Screw on the nuts and tighten them alternately with a tightening torque of 95-120 Nm.
• Tighten the nuts of the upper shock absorber strut supports to 46-63 Nm.
• All other work should be carried out in reverse order.
• Check the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.