2007 Compass Patriot MK Factory Service Manual 2 - SUSPENSION

SHOCK ASSEMBLY

DESCRIPTION

A coil-over shock absorber assembly supports each side of the vehicle. The bottom of the shock assembly mounts to the lower control arm. The top of the shock assembly mounts to the body.



The shock assembly includes the following major components:

  • Upper bushing (3)
  • Upper mounting bracket (4)
  • Upper spring isolator (5)
  • Sleeve (6)
  • Lower bushing (7)
  • Jounce bumper (9)
  • Dust shield (10)
  • Coil spring (11)
  • Lower spring isolator (12)
  • Shock absorber (13)

Each component is serviced by removing the shock assembly from the vehicle and disassembling it.

Coil springs are rated separately for each corner or side of the vehicle depending on optional equipment and type of vehicle service. If a coil spring requires replacement, be sure that it is replaced with a spring meeting the correct load rating for the vehicle and its specific options.

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before proceeding, (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR - WARNING).




1. Remove the cargo floor cover.
2. Remove the rear floor pan silencer (1).


3. If equipped, remove the nuts mounting the satellite receiver (1) or amplifier (2) to rear floor pan. Move the component aside to allow access to the shock assembly upper mounting nuts through the opening in the bottom of the quarter trim panel.
4. Remove the spare tire.


5. Fold the shock assembly upper mounting nut access door (2) upward. Use this opening and the one (1) created when the rear floor pan silencer was removed to access the upper mounting nuts in the following step.


6. Remove the two nuts (1) securing the shock assembly (2) to the body bracket (3).
7. Raise and support the vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE)


8. Remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the rear tire and wheel assembly (1).


9. Remove the shock lower mounting nut (3) and bolt (1).


10. Lower the shock assembly (2) out of the body bracket (1) and lift out over rear suspension.

DISASSEMBLY

NOTE: The shock assembly must be removed from the vehicle for it to be disassembled and assembled. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/SHOCK - REMOVAL)

For the disassembly and assembly of the shock assembly, use Strut Spring Compressor, Pentastar Service Equipment (PSE) tool W-7200, or the equivalent, to compress the coil spring. Follow the manufacturer's instructions closely.

WARNING: Do not remove the shock rod nut before the coil spring is properly compressed. The coil spring is held under pressure. The coil spring must be compressed, removing spring tension from the upper mounting bracket, before the shock rod nut is removed.


1. If both shocks are being serviced at the same time, mark both the coil spring and shock assembly according to which side of the vehicle the shock is being removed from.


2. Position the shock assembly (2) in the strut spring compressor (1) following the manufacturers instructions and set the lower and upper hooks of the compressor on the coil spring.
3. Compress the coil spring until all spring tension is removed from the upper mounting bracket and bushings.

CAUTION: Never use impact or high speed tools to remove the shock rod nut. Damage to the shock internal bearings can occur.


4. Once the spring is sufficiently compressed, install Snap-On® Shock Absorber Socket A139, or equivalent, on the end of the shock rod (1). While holding the shock rod from turning, remove the nut (2) using a wrench. Remove the washer below the nut.


5. Remove the shock absorber (13) out through the bottom of the coil spring (11). The washer (8), jounce bumper (9), dust shield (10) and lower spring isolator will come out with the shock.
6. Slide the washer (8), jounce bumper (9), dust shield (10) from the shock rod.
7. Remove the lower isolator (12) from the shock spring seat.
8. Remove the upper mounting bracket (4), bushings (3, 7), sleeve (6) and upper spring isolator (5) from the top of the spring.
9. Remove the bushings (3, 7), sleeve (6) and upper spring isolator (5) from the upper mounting bracket (4).

NOTE: If the coil spring needs to be serviced, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with step STEP 11.


10. Release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor drive completely. Push back the compressor hooks and remove the coil spring.


11. Inspect the shock assembly components for the following and replace as necessary:
  • Inspect the shock (13) for shaft binding over the full stroke of the shaft.
  • Inspect the jounce bumper (9) for cracks and signs of deterioration.
  • Inspect the dust shield (10) for cracks and tears.
  • Check the upper mounting bracket (4) for cracks and distortion and its retaining studs for any sign of damage.
  • Inspect the upper (3) and lower (7) bushings, for material deterioration and signs of deterioration. Inspect the sleeve (6) for wear and distortion.
  • Inspect the upper (5) and lower (12) spring isolators for material deterioration and distortion.
  • Inspect the coil spring (11) for any sign of damage to the coating.

NOTE: For reassembly, (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/SHOCK - ASSEMBLY)

ASSEMBLY

NOTE: If the coil spring has been removed from the spring compressor, proceed with the next step, otherwise, proceed with STEP 3.


1. Place the coil spring in the spring compressor following the manufacturers instructions.
2. Slowly compress the coil spring until enough room is available for shock assembly reassembly.


3. Assemble the bushings (3, 7) and sleeve (6) through the upper mounting bracket (4).
4. Install the upper spring isolator (5) on the upper mounting bracket (4).
5. Install the upper mounting bracket (4) on top of the coil spring.


6. Install the lower spring isolator (12) on the spring seat of the shock absorber (13).
7. Slide the dust shield (10), jounce bumper (9) and washer (8) onto the shock rod.
8. Install the shock absorber (13) up through the bottom of the coil spring and upper mounting bracket until the lower spring seat contacts the lower end of the coil spring.
9. While holding the shock absorber in position, install the washer (2) and nut (1) on the end of the shock rod.

CAUTION: Never use impact or high speed tools to remove the shock rod nut. Damage to the shock internal bearings can occur.


10. Install Snap-On® Shock Absorber Socket A139, or equivalent, on the end of the shock rod (1). While holding the shock rod from turning, tighten the nut (2) using a crows foot wrench and a torque wrench. Tighten the shock rod nut to 24 N·m (18 ft. lbs.).


11. Turn the upper mounting bracket or shock absorber as necessary until the mounting studs on the mounting bracket line up with the lower mounting bolt eyelet at the bottom of the shock absorber.
12. Slowly release the tension from the coil spring by backing off the compressor (1) drive completely.
13. Remove the shock assembly from the spring compressor.
14. Install the shock assembly on the vehicle. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/REAR/SHOCK - INSTALLATION)

INSTALLATION




1. Insert the lower end of the shock assembly (2) down though the lower control arm from above just enough to clear the body, then lift it up into the body bracket (1).


2. Install the mounting bolt (1) and nut (3) fastening the shock assembly (2) to the lower control arm (4). Do not tighten at this time.


3. Install the tire and wheel assembly (1) (Refer to 22 - TIRES/WHEELS - INSTALLATION). Install and tighten the wheel mounting nuts (3) to 135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.).
4. Lower the vehicle.

NOTE: Use the openings (1, 2) in the interior rear quarter trim panel when installing the upper mounting nuts in the following step.




5. Install the two nuts (1) securing the shock assembly (2) to the body bracket (3). Tighten the mounting nuts to 48 N·m (35 ft. lbs.).


6. Fold the shock assembly upper mounting nut access door (2) down closing off the opening.


7. If equipped, install the satellite receiver (1) or amplifier (2) to rear floor pan.


8. Install the rear floor pan silencer (1).
9. Install the cargo floor cover.


10. Position the vehicle on an alignment rack/drive-on lift. Raise the lift as necessary to access the shock mounting bolt (1) and nut (3).
11. Tighten the shock assembly lower mounting bolt nut (3) to 99 N·m (73 ft. lbs.).