GM 15098727
Shock Absorber, Front

Gas-charged shock absorbers include high-pressure gas within their tubes therefore you should never remove the snap ring to prevent severe personal injuries caused by gas expulsion. Safety glasses should be worn during shock absorber drilling and center punching to avoid tube puncture that could result in personal injury. Use a centerpunch to make the first indentation 10 mm (0.4 inch) from the bottom of the tube. Place the shock absorber inside the vise while it faces horizontally with its rod stretched completely to its longest length. Fit a 5 mm (3/16 inch) drill bit into the centerpunch hole to let gas or gas/oil mixture exhaust before collecting escaping oil using shop towels. A second hole at the centerpunch location in the tube's center should be drill using a 5 mm (3/16 inch) drill bit which will also release oil. Similar to the first step, shop towels should be used to catch the escaping oil. Using the drain pan with holes facing down position the shock absorber horizontally and move rod through tube in and out movements to evacuate all oil from the absorber.

It is dangerous to remove the snap ring from inside the top of the tube because the gas inside gases with significant force. This can lead to serious personal injuries so it should be avoided. Protect your eyes from injury with safety glasses when you perform the required drill operations on the shock absorber because damaging the tube is possible. Your first step should be to create a 10 mm (0.4 inch) indentation on the tube base with a centerpunch instrument. Position the shock absorber inside the vise while extending its shock absorber rod completely. Use a drill bit measuring 5 mm (3/16 inch) to make the hole at the centerpunch mark for gas or oil mixture escape while using shop towels to collect the oil. To allow oil drainage the middle of the tube needs an indentation which can be marked with a centerpunch before drilling at this position using the same drill bit. The process requires additional shop towels for containment. Monte carlo procedures begin with the shock absorber removed from the vise then it faces downward with holes at the bottom and the rod gets engaged with the tube for draining all oil away.

Remove the shock module upper retaining nuts.

It must not hang freely to avoid damage to the upper control arm and air suspension components.

Remove the tire and wheel, loosen the shock module yoke to lower control arm retaining nut, and use the Ball Joint Separator (J 36607) to remove the shock module yoke from the lower control arm.

Begin by raising and supporting the vehicle, then remove the tire and wheel.

Raise and support the vehicle, ensuring the rear axle is not allowed to hang freely.