Shock Absorber and Coil Spring

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Front

ECLIPSE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Front wheel
   • 3 upper shock absorber mounting nuts. Do not remove the larger nut in the center of the strut at this time.
   • Stabilizer link from the damper fork
   • Damper fork mounting bolt
   • Shock absorber assembly from the vehicle
4. Use a coil spring compressor and compress the coil spring.
5. While holding the piston rod, remove the self-locking nut.

   Fig. 1: Removing the self-locking nut — Eclipse

6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Upper bracket assembly and spring pad
   • Collar, upper bushing, cup assembly, bump rubber and dust cover
   • Coil spring from the shock absorber

   To install:

7. Align the end of the coil spring with the stepped part of the spring seat and install the compressed coil spring on the shock.
8. Install the dust cover, bump rubber, cup assembly, upper bushing, collar, upper spring pad and bracket assembly on the strut.

   Fig. 2: Upper bracket assembly alignment — Eclipse

   Fig. 3: Exploded view of the coil spring removal procedure — Eclipse

9. Install or connect the following:
   • Upper bushing and washer on the piston rod
   • New self-locking nut on the piston rod. Temporarily tighten the nut.
10. Carefully remove the spring compressor from the spring. Torque the self-locking nut to 16 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
11. Position the shock absorber assembly in the damper fork and install the mounting bolt.
12. Pass the studs in the upper bracket assembly through the holes in the inner fender and install the 3 mounting nuts.
13. Connect the stabilizer link to the damper fork.
14. Install the wheel assembly.
15. Safely lower the vehicle to the floor.
16. Check the front wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.

GALANT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Raise and safely support vehicle.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Appropriate wheel assembly
   • Sway bar link from the damper fork
   • Damper fork lower through-bolt and upper pinch bolt
   • Damper fork assembly
   • Shock absorber upper nuts and remove the strut assembly from the vehicle
5. Compress the coil spring with a special compression tool.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Self-locking nut and washer
   • Upper bushing, upper bracket assembly, the upper spring pad, and the collar
   • Other upper bushing, cup assembly, bump rubber, dust cover, and the coil spring. Carefully remove the coil spring compression tool

   To install:

7. Install or connect the following:
   • Compressed coil spring to the shock absorber assembly. Be sure to align the edge of coil spring to the stepped part of the spring seat. Install the dust cover, bump rubber, cup assembly, upper bushing, collar, and upper spring pad.
   • Upper bracket assembly and position it so that the 3 bolts are in the correct position
   • Upper bushing, washer, and locknut. Torque the locknut to 18 ft. lbs. (24 Nm).
   • Shock absorber and tighten the upper mounting nuts to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm)
8. Align the shock to the damper fork and install the damper fork. Tighten the lower through-bolt/nut to 65 ft. lbs. (88 Nm) and the upper pinch bolt to 76 ft. lbs. (103 Nm).
9. Connect the sway bar link to the damper fork and tighten the link nut to 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm).
10. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
11. Perform a front end alignment.

Rear

3000GT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
4. Remove the rear side trim in the luggage compartment and remove the Active Electronic Control Suspension (Active-ECS) connector and cap.
5. Support the suspension and remove the upper shock absorber mounting bolts.
6. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Wheel and tire assembly and the lower shock mounting bolt
   • Shock absorber from the vehicle

   To install:

7. Position the shock absorber in the trailing arm and temporarily install the lower mounting bolt. After the vehicle is on the ground at normal ride height, tighten the bolt to 65 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
8. Guide the upper mounting studs through the body and tighten the upper mounting nuts to 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm).
9. Install or connect the following:
   • Cap and the Active-ECS connector
   • Wheel and tire assembly and connect the negative battery cable
10. Lower the vehicle.

    Fig. 4: Rear shock absorber removal — 3000GT

DIAMANTE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Raise and properly support vehicle. Remove both rear wheels.
4. Support the lower control arm with a jack.
5. Matchmark the positioning of the upper spring plate to the vehicle for reinstallation purposes.
6. If equipped with Active Electronic Control Suspension (Active-ECS), perform the following:
   1. Loosen the nut that secures the air line to the to the top of the strut and discard the O-ring.
   2. Remove the bolts that secure the actuator to the top of the strut and remove the component. Disconnect the wiring harness.
7. Remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt and remove the 2 nuts that secure the shock upper plate to the vehicle.
8. Lower the support jack and remove the shock from the vehicle.

   To install

9. Position the upper spring plate and install the strut. Use the support jack to assist with installation.
10. Tighten the upper strut mounting nuts to 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm).
11. Tighten the lower strut mounting bolt to 71 ft. lbs. (98 Nm).
12. If equipped with Active-ECS perform the following:
    1. Using a new O-ring, tighten the nut that secures the air line to the to the top of the strut to 84 inch lbs. (9 Nm).
    2. Install the actuator to the top of the shock absorber and secure with mounting bolts. Connect the wiring harness.
13. Remove the support jack, install wheels and lower vehicle.
14. Connect the negative battery cable.

ECLIPSE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Service lid in the luggage compartment
   • Cap and flange nuts securing the upper mounting bracket to the body of the vehicle
3. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
4. Remove the bolt attaching the lower end of the shock to the knuckle and remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
5. Use a coil spring compressor and compress the coil spring.
6. While holding the piston rod, remove the self-locking nut.
7. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Upper bracket assembly and spring pad
   • Collar, upper bushing, cup assembly, bump rubber and dust cover
   • Coil spring from the shock absorber

   To install:

8. Align the end of the coil spring with the stepped part of the spring seat and install the compressed coil spring on the shock absorber.
9. Install or connect the following:
   • Dust cover, bump rubber, cup assembly, upper bushing, collar, upper spring pad and bracket assembly on the shock absorber
   • Upper bushing and washer on the piston rod
   • New self-locking nut on the piston rod. Temporarily tighten the nut.
10. Remove the spring compressor from the spring. Torque the self-locking nut to 16 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).

    Fig. 5: Correct upper bracket installed position — Eclipse

    Fig. 6: Correct method for compressing the coil spring

11. Install the upper bracket of the shock to the vehicle. Torque the mounting nuts to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm).
12. Raise the suspension up with a jack or adjustable stand to align the shock absorber lower mounting holes.
13. Install the lower mounting bolt. Torque the bolt to 71 ft. lbs. (96 Nm).
14. Remove the jack or stand and safely lower the vehicle to the floor.
15. Install the cap and service lid.

GALANT

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Raise and support the vehicle chassis.
3. Raise and support the lower control arm assembly slightly.
4. In order to gain access to the top mounting nuts, remove the rear seat as follows:
   1. While pulling the rear seat stopper outward, lift the lower cushion upward. Remove the lower cushion.
   2. Remove the seat back mounting bolts.
   3. Lift the seat back upward and remove the seat.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Shock upper mounting nuts
   • Shock lower mounting bolt and remove the assembly from the vehicle
6. Use a coil spring compressor and compress the coil spring.
7. Remove the shock cap.
8. While holding the piston rod, remove the self-locking nut.
9. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Upper bracket assembly and spring pad
   • Collar, upper bushing, cup assembly, bump rubber and dust cover
   • Coil spring from the shock

   To install

10. Align the end of the coil spring with the stepped part of the spring seat and install the compressed coil spring on the shock.
11. Install or connect the following:
    • Dust cover, bump rubber, cup assembly, upper bushing, collar, upper spring pad and bracket assembly on the shock
    • Upper bushing and washer on the piston rod
    • New self-locking nut on the piston rod. Temporarily tighten the nut.
12. Remove the spring compressor from the spring. Torque the self-locking nut to 16 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
13. Install the shock cap.
14. Position the shock assembly so that the lower mounting bolt can be installed and lightly tightened.
15. Use a jack to raise or lower the lower control arm, so that the top shock plate studs align through the body. Raise the jack to hold the shock assembly in position.
16. Install the top plate nuts on the studs and tighten the mounting nuts to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm).
17. With the vehicle on the ground, tighten the lower mounting bolt to 71 ft. lbs. (98 Nm).
18. Install the rear seat back and cushion.

    Fig. 7: Exploded view of the rear shock absorber assembly — Galant and Mirage, 3000GT is similar

MIRAGE

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions in the beginning of this section.
2. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Trunk interior trim to gain access to the top mounting nuts
   • Top cap and upper shock mounting nuts
3. Raise and support vehicle chassis.
4. Support the trailing arm assembly with a jack.
5. Matchmark the upper spring plate to the vehicle chassis for reassembly and remove the upper spring plate mounting nuts.
6. Remove the shock lower mounting bolt and remove the assembly from the vehicle.
7. Compress the coil spring using the proper spring compressor.
8. Hold the piston rod with a wrench and remove the self-locking nut.
9. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Washer, upper bushing A, bracket, spring pad, upper bushing B, collar, cup, dust cover and bump rubber
   • Coil spring

   To install

10. Install or connect the following:
    • Coil spring on the shock
    • Bump rubber, dust cover, cup, collar, upper bushing A, spring pad, bracket, upper bushing B and the washer
11. Temporarily install a new self-locking nut, carefully release the spring from the compressor and tighten the self-locking nut to specifications.
12. Position the shock assembly so that lower mounting bolt can be installed and lightly tightened.
13. Use jack to raise or lower the axle assembly so that top shock plate studs aligns through body. Raise jack to hold the shock assembly in position.
14. Install the top plate nuts and tighten them to 20 ft. lbs. (28 Nm).
15. Lower the vehicle and tighten the lower mounting bolt to 65 ft. lbs. (90 Nm).
16. Install top cap and interior trim.