GM 25876860
Coil Spring, Front

The j 45400 (spring compressor) must receive the strut assembly before servicing or repairing the shock absorber. Place the shock absorber assembly into j 45400 spring compressor while carefully setting the compressor fingers to rest correctly on top of the front suspension mount. The shock absorber assembly should be placed inside the j 45400 with its fingers located properly on the front suspension strut mount. Make a mental note of how the upper spring seat, spring and shock are positioned before removal because this information will help to reinstall them correctly. Use j 45400 to compress the front spring then uninstall and dispose of the existing shock nut while replacing it with a new one for reinstallation. Begin by removing the front suspension shock absorber and the front spring lower insulator. Then separate the front suspension strut mount from the front spring upper seat, front suspension strut bumper, front spring upper insulator and front suspension spring that will be attached to the spring compressor. Install the front spring lower insulator onto the shock absorber afterward uniting the front suspension strut mount with the front spring upper seat and front suspension strut bumper and front spring within the spring compressor for installment. Move the fingers on the spring compressor to check the spring positioning before installation. Use j 45400 to compress the spring assembly until you can install the new nut when the upper spring seat, spring and shock absorber share the same alignment as the disassembly phase. Secure the shock absorber and new nut to a torque of 50 n.m (37 lb ft) on vehicles with electronic suspension yet 60 n.m (44 lb ft) on other vehicle models without electronic suspension. To complete the process you should remove the shock absorber assembly from the spring compressor before reinstalling the strut assembly into the vehicle.

Service and repair procedures for coil springs start with j 45400 spring compressor installation after removing the vehicle's strut assembly from the suspension. Place the shock absorber assembly into j 45400 while the spring compressor fingers must maintain their proper position on top of the front suspension mount. Place the shock absorber assembly into the j 45400 until the fingers rest correctly on top of the front suspension strut mount. Write down the initial position of upper spring seat and shock absorber with spring before removal because this knowledge shall help with correct assembly alignment afterwards. Use the j 45400 to shorten the front spring before removing the shock's existing nut and replacing it with a new one. Disassemble the front suspension shock absorber along with the front spring lower insulator before removing the front suspension strut mount, front spring upper seat and front suspension strut bumper and front spring upper insulator and front suspension spring from the spring compressor assembly. Assemble the front spring lower insulator onto the shock absorber followed by installation of the front suspension strut mount and front spring upper seat and front suspension strut bumper then add the front spring before placing them in the spring compressor. The fingers of the spring compressor must be adjusted for correct mounting of the front suspension element. Use the j 45400 to compress the spring assembly until you can install the new nut while aligning components in the same position as disassembly. For electronic suspension models tighten the new nut to 50 n.m and for non-electronic suspension models tighten the nut to 60 n.m. Remove the shock absorber assembly from the spring compressor to slot the strut assembly into the vehicle.

Raise and support the vehicle and then support the rear axle.

Install the lower shock absorber retaining nut and bolt to the rear axle, tightening them to 95 N.m (70 lb ft).

Reconnect the ESC sensor if equipped, remove the rear axle support, and finally lower the vehicle.

Disconnect the ESC sensor.

Position the shock absorber in the upper retaining bracket of the CH-48845 to center it again, compress the front spring, and hold the shock absorber shaft with a wrench.