Repair of the rear suspension shock absorber (Mitsubishi Space Star)

Contents: Disassembly ⤓ Shock absorber disposal ⤓ Examination ⤓ Assembly ⤓

Disassembly

Use a screwdriver blade to lever off the protective cap (Fig. 14.69).

Fig. 14.69. Elements of the rear suspension shock absorber strut: 1 - protective cap; 2 - self-locking nut, 25 Nm; 3 - washer; 4 - upper bushing B; -5 - upper support of the rack; 6 - upper spring plate; 7 - upper bushing A; 8 - sleeve; 9 - shock absorber cup; 10 - protective cover; 11 - rubber compression stroke buffer; 12 - cylindrical spring; 13 - rear suspension shock absorber

Secure the front suspension bracket and, using a special device with grips, compress the spring so that it moves away from the upper plate (Fig. 14.70).

Fig. 14.70. Using a special device to compress the rear suspension shock absorber spring

Use one wrench to secure the shock absorber rod from turning and use the other open-end wrench to loosen the central nut securing the shock absorber rod (Fig. 14.71). To prevent the piston lock nut from loosening on the rod, do not use an impact wrench.

Fig. 14.71. Unscrewing the central nut securing the shock absorber rod

Remove the washer, upper bushing B, upper strut support, upper spring plate, upper bushing A, sleeve and shock absorber cup from the shock absorber rod.
Remove the spring together with the spring compressor, the protective cover and the rubber compression buffer.
Loosen the tool bolt until the spring is fully extended and remove the tool from the spring.

Shock absorber disposal

Pull the shock absorber rod out completely.
To bleed the gas from the shock absorber cylinder, drill a 3.0 mm diameter hole at the location shown in Figure 14.72. The gas escaping from the shock absorber is safe, but care must be taken to avoid injury from flying chips.

Fig. 14.72. Location of drilling a hole for removing gas from the shock absorber cylinder

Examination

Check rubber parts for damage or deterioration.
Check the coil spring for deflection and loss of elasticity.

Assembly

Warning: When installing, it is necessary to use springs with the same technical characteristics (with the same color marking) on one axle of the vehicle.

Install the special tool MB991237 and MB991239 on the new spring and compress it to install it on the shock absorber. Do not use an impact wrench to tighten the special tool bolt, as this will lock the bolt.
Install the compression buffer and protective cover.
Install the spring and align the lower coil of the spring with the notch in the lower spring plate.
Install the sleeve, upper bushing A and upper spring plate.
Install the upper shock absorber support so that the axis of the inner tube of the lower shock absorber bushing coincides with the line between the upper support mounting bolts when viewed from above (Fig. 14.73).

Fig. 14.73. Location of the upper support of the rear suspension shock absorber strut

Temporarily tighten the shock absorber rod mounting nut, then loosen and remove the special spring compressor tool.
Use a wrench to prevent the shock absorber rod from turning and use a second open-end wrench to tighten the central nut securing the shock absorber rod to the required torque (see Fig. 14.71).