GM 12474690
Shock Absorber, Front

Vehicle Shock Absorber replacement begins when you properly elevate and support the vehicle followed by supporting the rear axle. The automatic level control air lines need disconnecting from the Shock Absorber when it is available. After removing upper mounting bolts and lower mounting nut of the Shock Absorber service personnel should remove the lower mounting bolt specifically for four-door utilities before removing the Shock Absorber from the vehicle. After placing the Shock Absorber inside the vehicle you should install the specific lower mounting bolt for four-door utilities. Screw the upper mounting bolts of the Shock Absorber to 25 nm (18 ft. Lbs.) torque and thread the lower mounting nut to 84 nm (62 ft. Lbs.) on 2-door utility vehicles while tightening the lower mounting bolts to 100 nm (74 ft. Lbs.) on 4-door utility vehicles. If the vehicle has automatic level control the air line needs to be connected to the Shock Absorber before removing the rear axle support and conducting lower vehicle operations.

Personal injury risks exist from gas-charged shock absorbers containing high pressure gas which prevents removing the snap ring from inside the top of the tube. Safety glasses must be worn during both shock absorber centerpunching and drilling while keeping the tube intact to prevent injuries. You should mark a 10 mm (0.4 inch) indentation at the tube bottom with a centerpunch tool. Position the shock absorber in a vise so it lies horizontally and maintain its shock absorber rod completely elongated. The 5 mm (3/16 inch) drill bit drilling process at the centerpunch position allows gas or gas/oil mixture to escape through a hole which requires the use of shop towels to absorb the released oil. Drilling a hole at the additional centerpunch location using the same drill bit will also drain additional oil from the tube. The shock absorber then exits the vise toward a drain pan with holes facing down as you insert and retract the rod through the tube for full oil drainage.

To change the shock absorber on a 4WD vehicle, first raise and support the vehicle, remove the tire and the wheel. Now remove the shock absorber lower mounting nut and bolt then upper nut and bolt in order to remove the shock absorber. For installation, fix the shock absorber to the bracket and fit the upper and lower shock absorber bolts in the correct direction. It is imperative to tighten the shock absorber mounting nuts and bolts with the front suspension loaded and 73 Nm (54 ft.lbs) of torque achieved on the nuts for the upper and lower mounts. Finally, install the tire and wheel before lowering the machine.

The high pressure gas inside gas charged shock absorbers demands users refrain from removing the snap ring inside the top of the tube because gas expulsion at extreme force could result in serious personal injury. Wear proper safety glasses while carrying out center punching and drilling operations on shock absorbers because doing so protects against damaging the shock absorber tube. A center punch should make a 10 mm (0.4 inch) indentation along the bottom edge of the tube before drilling begins. Position the shock absorber in the vise with its shock absorber rod entirely stretched out in a horizontal direction. Drill a hole at the center punch using a 5 mm (3/16 inch) drill bit to allow gas or a gas/oil mixture to escape through it. Use shop towels to catch the released oil. A center punch marks the middle of the tube where the second 5 mm (3/16 inch) drill hole needs to be created. The process of hole creation requires oil containment through shop towels. Set the shock absorber free from the vise while it rests in a drain pan that supports it horizontally by its holes and operate the rod within the tube to remove all oil from the shock absorber completely.

Vehicle replacement of a shock absorber begins with vehicle elevation and support and continues with tire and wheel removal. You should remove the lower mounting nut and bolt of the shock absorber before taking off the upper mounting nuts and bolts to extract the shock absorber. Place the shock absorber on the bracket followed by installing upper and lower shock absorber bolts which must face the proper direction. The proper method for shock absorber mounting nut and bolt tightening requires performing this procedure on a loaded front suspension until reaching 73 Nm (54 ft. lbs.) torque for both upper and lower mounting nuts. Finish the process by lowering the vehicle but make sure to properly install the wheel along with its tire.

Place the shock absorber onto the lower anchor plate without attaching the washer or nut.

Wear safety glasses when centerpunching and drilling the shock absorber, and take care not to puncture the shock absorber tube.