Attention! Suspension struts of all-wheel drive models with ride height adjustment should not be disassembled, they should be replaced as a set in the event of a malfunction.
Cars up to 9/89, issue. and models "station wagon"
5 - piston rod nut and washer; 6 - mounting plate; 7 - shock absorber support; 8 - spring cup; 9 - casing; 10 - impact buffer, spring; 11 - shock absorber
Vehicles since 10/89, except models "station wagon"
1 - cover; 2 - piston rod nut and washer; 3 - lock washer; 4 - shock absorber support; 5 - rebound buffer; 6 - casing; 7 - helical spring; 8 - lower spring cup; 9 - shock absorber
Removing
1. Remove the rear suspension strut.
2. Clamp the upper suspension strut support in a vice with gaskets. Loosen the piston rod nut a few turns without unscrewing.
3. To remove the shock absorber, it is necessary to compress the spring. In the workshops, a special device is used for this.
Attention! Never loosen the shock absorber unless the spring is compressed.
4. Clamp the MAZDA Compressor or other standard Compressor in a vise. Insert the rear shock strut into the compressor and compress the spring slowly and evenly until the upper spring cup is unloaded.
Attention! If a standard compressor is used that grips the coils of the spring, make sure that the coils of the spring are securely gripped so that the compressor cannot come off.
Attention! Be sure to compress the spring in 3 opposite places. The spring has a very high compression ratio, so only a reliable tool should be used. Danger of accident!
Attention! The fastening nut can only be removed if the spring is securely compressed.
5. Remove the suspension strut support, coil spring and impact buffer.
Attention! If only the spring needs to be replaced, it must be slowly loosened. If, on the contrary, only replacement of the shock absorber is required, the spring remains compressed.
Installation
1. Before installation, check the shock absorber, replace if necessary.
2. If required, compress the coil spring.
3. Cars up to 9/89, issue. and models "station wagon": Place lower insulation on shock absorber.
4. Install the helical spring. Ensure that the helical spring rests correctly on the cup stops.
5. Put on the impact buffer and cover.
6. Cars up to 9/89, issue. and models "station wagon": Fit the suspension strut upper support and align it. When installed, the white mark should be facing the inside of the vehicle.
Vehicles since 10/89, except models "station wagon"
1. Cars since 10/89 of issue. except models "station wagon": Fit upper suspension strut mount and align with lower shock absorber mounting.
2. Screw in the new self-locking nut firmly 60 Nm, to hold the upper support, clamp it in a vice with gaskets.
3. Slowly loosen the coil spring. When doing this, make sure that the ends of the spring are correctly seated in the cups of the spring.
4. Install the rear suspension strut, see Chapter Suspension and steering system.