Rear shock absorbers and struts (Mazda Capella GD)

15.2.1. Removal

Since the removal of one part affects the removal of another, the work is described together; in general, the shock absorber strut is attached in the same way as when suspending the front wheels.

Remove the rear body trim around the shock absorber mounting. It is held together with rivets.

Place the rear of the car on jack stands and unscrew the rear wheels. Engage first gear or reverse to prevent the vehicle from rolling off the trestles. Leave the jack under the rear crossmember for the time being.

Remove the union nut of the brake line to the hose connection point, pull the line out of the hose and knock the spring leaf out of the hose. Pull the hose out of the lock washer.

With the anti-lock braking system installed, unscrew the wiring harness and clamp from the shock absorber strut.

With the self-leveling installed, unscrew the control from the top of the shock absorber.

On the underside of the shock absorber strut, unscrew both nuts and bolts from the strut support from the wheel hub, and carefully knock out the bolts. Insert a screwdriver into the groove of the shock absorber clamp and slowly push the wheel hub support downwards until it is free from the shock absorber.

Loosen the three nuts of the upper shock absorber mount, slowly lower the jack and pull the shock absorber strut down.

15.2.2. Disassembling the shock absorber strut

Figure 201 shows the parts into which the shock absorber strut can be disassembled, i.e. only these parts can be replaced:

• Clamp the shock absorber strut from the bottom in a vice. To avoid compression of the clamping parts, you can insert a replaceable head between them until the vice comes together
• Place the tensioner around the spring coils as shown in Figure 182 for the front spring, and completely unscrew the nut in the middle of the shock absorber strut. Remove all parts shown in Figure 201.
• No other work is required if only the spring needs to be replaced.
• Check the shock absorber by clamping it vertically in a vice, pulling it out and pushing it back in again. The pressure along the entire working length must be the same. Dead spots, i.e. jerky movement of the piston rod, indicate replacement of the shock absorbers. Shock absorbers are filled with gas and therefore the necessary prescribed precautions must be observed when rejecting them. With automatic leveling enabled, grasp the piston rod on the inside of the shock absorber with pliers and twist it back and forth. It should rotate easily.
• Rear springs are ordered using the chassis number as per the supplier's parts microfilm.

15.2.3. Assembling the shock absorber strut

• Clamp the shock absorber strut in a vice.
• Place the parts shown in Figure 201 on the shock absorber strut.
• Place the compressed coil spring onto the shock absorber strut with its larger diameter facing downwards. Check that the spring matches the contour of the saddle.
• Screw on the new nut and tighten it to a torque of 65–82 N⋅m. Figure 202 shows how to clamp the shock absorber support to tighten the nut.

[The original text can be found on www.MAZbook.ru]

15.2.4. Installing the shock absorber strut

• Connect the wheel hub support to the shock absorber strut, align the threaded holes and insert the bolts. Screw on the nuts and tighten to a torque of 95-120 Nm.
• Tighten the nuts of the upper shock absorber strut support on the body to 46–65 Nm.
• All other work should be carried out in reverse order. Finally, bleed the air from the brake system.