Removing
1. Remove the suspension strut.
2. Remove the cap from the shock absorber rod.
3. The coil spring is compressed. To release the shock absorber, the spring must be compressed even more to unload the spring cups. Compress the spring with a suitable compressor.
Attention! The shock absorber nut can only be loosened when the spring is compressed.
4. Clamp the suspension strut support in a vise and loosen the fastening nut by one turn using a socket or a strongly curved box wrench, do not unscrew.
5. Compress the spring with a standard compressor. MAZDA workshops use a special tool for this. Compress the spring about 10 mm.
Attention! Insert the compressor into the spring so that it securely grips the coils of the spring and cannot come off. Compress the spring at three points evenly spaced around the circumference. The helical spring is subjected to a high degree of compression, so only a reliable tool should be used. Never tie the spring with wire. Danger of accident.
6. Unscrew the fastening nut and remove the elements of the suspension strut one by one.
Attention! If replacement of the spring is required, it should be slowly loosened. If, on the other hand, only the shock absorber is to be replaced, the spring remains compressed. Check of the shock-absorber see in the Chapter Disassembly of the rear suspension strut / removal and installation of the shock absorber / coil spring.
Installation
Car suspension strut from 10/89 y
1 - shock absorber; 2 - helical spring; 3 - rebound buffer; 4 - rubber gasket; 5 - upper spring cup; 6 - pressure bearing; 7 - mounting plate; 8 - piston rod nut; 9 - cover
Lubricate (lithium multipurpose grease)
Suspension strut up to 9/89, issue. cm. illustration.
1. Install the bottom cup (until 9/89 issue.) and compressed spring. Make sure that the spring enters the stops of the lower and upper cups.
2. Push the impact buffer onto the piston rod.
3. Apply top rubber ring and spring cup.
4. From 10/89: Fit thrust bearing.
5. Install the upper mounting plate so that the mark is facing the center of the car, see Section Removal and installation of an amortization rack.
6. Clamp the mounting plate in a vice, while placing protective pads. Tighten the new self-locking nut on vehicles up to 9/89 MY. with effort 70 Nm, from 10/89 of issue. with effort 100 Nm.
7. Put the protective cap on the shock absorber nut.
8. Slowly loosen the spring.
9. Install the suspension strut.