You will need: an 18 mm wrench, a 6 mm Allen key, a flat-blade screwdriver, and a spring compressor.
1. Apply the parking brake and place wheel chocks under the rear wheels.
2. With the vehicle on the ground, loosen the upper strut support mounting nut while holding the shock absorber rod from turning with a hex key.
3. Remove the shock absorber strut from the vehicle (see "Removal and installation the shock absorber strut").
4. Install the spring compressor and compress the spring.
5. Completely unscrew the rod nut.
6. Slide the protective cover of the rod…
7. …and remove the upper strut support assembly with the compression buffer.
Note: The upper strut mount, thrust bearing and compression buffer are a non-separable unit, so if one of the three elements is faulty or damaged, the entire unit must be replaced.
8. Remove the front suspension spring.
Note: Replace springs only in pairs (front and rear).
9. Remove the aluminum gasket and inspect it carefully. The gasket should not have any obvious signs of wear or deformation. If there are visible signs of wear, replace the gasket.
10. Disconnect the protective cover from the upper support and remove the compression buffer.
Note: Replace the damaged protective cover with a new one.
11. Install the shock absorber vertically and lower and raise the shock absorber rod several times until it stops. Make sure that the rod moves without any dips, jams or knocks. Otherwise, replace the shock absorber. In addition, replace the shock absorber if fluid leaks are detected (minor sweating in the upper part of the housing is allowed) and if the threads in the upper part of the rod are damaged.
Caution! Replace faulty shock absorbers only in pairs (front and rear) or as a set (all four).
Note: Install the spring so that the end of its outermost coil rests against the protrusion of the spring support cup.
12. Install the parts in the reverse order of removal.
Note: After repairing the shock absorber strut, check and, if necessary, adjust the wheel alignment angles. Use the services of workshops with special equipment.