Pic. 10.9. Cross-section of the upper mount of the front suspension strut
1. Shock absorber; 2. Spring; 3. Dust cap; 4. Upper spring cup; 5. Bearing support plate; 6. Landing plate; 7. Top plate; 8. Piston rod nut; 9. Ball bearing; 10. Thrust ring; 11. Rubber cushion; 12. Bearing shell; 13. Rubber cushion; 14. Body.
Removing
1. Jack up the front of the vehicle, place it on axle stands, then remove the wheel.
2. Turn off a coupling bolt and a nut fastening a rotary fist to the lower end of a rack, beat out a bolt and take away a rotary fist down from a rack. Place a holder under the steering knuckle/lower arm to prevent damage to the brake hose.
3. Open the hood, and unscrew the two nuts of the upper mounting of the suspension strut, then remove the strut from under the front fender (see photo).
Bulkhead
Warning: Before starting to disassemble the suspension strut, it is necessary to compress the spring with a special tool. Any attempt to disassemble the strut without such a tool may result in personal injury: do not attempt to remove the piston rod nut when the strut is installed on the vehicle.
Note: If either of the front springs needs to be replaced, it is recommended that both be replaced as a matched pair. Both springs must have the same marking, contact your Skoda dealer. Similarly, if either of the A-pillars needs to be replaced, it is recommended that both be replaced as a matched pair. Store suspension struts in an upright position. If the strut is installed after a long period of storage, clamp it vertically in a vice, and pump the shock absorber by moving the piston rod up and down several times until it stops, so that the channels are flushed and the damping properties are restored.
4. Remove the suspension strut from the vehicle and thoroughly clean the assembly.
5. While holding the piston rod from rotating with a wrench, loosen the nut, but do not completely unscrew it yet.
6. Install the pullers and compress the spring evenly to release the upper spring seat (photo).
7. Loosen the piston rod nut and remove the top mounting components, top spring seat, rubber pad, dust cap and spring.
8. Inspect all rack components and replace any worn or damaged components. Pay special attention to the top mount components, look for cracks, deformation or contamination of the rubber.
9. Check the top mount ball bearing, which should rotate easily without play. If the bearing rotates hard, is corroded or has play, replace it. Press the insert out of the bearing base plate, then knock out the bearing. A new bearing can be installed using a press or vise.
10. If the top mount stud needs to be replaced, make sure the mounting plate is securely supported and drive the stud out with a suitable socket.
11. If the spring is broken, damaged, or the free length is significantly less than specified in Specifications, it needs to be replaced.
12. Check the function of the shock absorber by clamping it vertically in a vise and moving the piston rod all the way up and down; equal resistance should be felt in both directions. If the damping is weak, there are oil leaks, the piston rod is bent or damaged, the shock absorber must be replaced.
13. Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of removal, paying attention to the following:
- a) Pull the piston rod completely out of the shock absorber. Install the spring (compressed), the top support, and check that the top fixing components are installed in the correct order.
- b) To tighten the piston rod nut with a tightening torque specified specifications, hook the wrench on a steelyard or similar tool.
- c) Once the nut is tight, loosen the spring compression tools and remove them, then make sure the top mount rotates freely.
- d) Install the stand in the car.
Installation
14. Install in the reverse order of removal paying attention to the following.
- a) Thoroughly clean the wheel arch area and all attachment points.
- b) Tighten all nuts and bolts with a tightening torque specified specifications, where given (see photo),
- c) Remember that you may need to check the wheel alignment (Chapter 21).