Front Shock Absorber: Installation: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Toyota Matrix. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

HINT:

Use the same procedure for the LH side and RH side.
The following procedure listed is for the LH side.

SECURE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER
1. Install the bolt and nut to the front shock absorber as shown in the illustration and secure the front shock absorber in a vise.
  
  Fig 1: Securing Front Shock Absorber With Fasteners In Vise
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  A
  
  28 mm (1.10 in.)
INSTALL FRONT COIL SPRING LOWER INSULATOR
1. Install the front coil spring lower insulator to the front shock absorber.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Depression Of Lower Spring Seat
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE:
  Make sure that the front coil spring lower insulator is positioned in the depression of the lower spring seat.
INSTALL FRONT SPRING BUMPER
INSTALL FRONT COIL SPRING
1. Using SST, compress the front coil spring.
  - SST: 09727-30021
    - 09727-00010
    - 09727-00021
    - 09727-00031
  Fig 3: Compressing Front Coil Spring Using SST
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE:
  Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage SST.
2. Install the front coil spring.
  
  Fig 4: Locating Gap Of Spring Lower Seat
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE:
  Fit the lower end of the front coil spring into the gap of the spring lower seat.
INSTALL FRONT COIL SPRING UPPER INSULATOR
1. Install the front coil spring upper insulator to the front shock absorber with the protrusion on the insulator facing the outside of the vehicle.
  
  Fig 5: View Of Front Coil Spring Upper Insulator
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL FRONT COIL SPRING UPPER SEAT
1. Install the front coil spring upper seat to the front shock absorber assembly with the mark facing the outside of the vehicle.
  
  Fig 6: View Of Front Coil Spring Upper Seat
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  NOTE:
  - Align the cutout of the front coil spring upper seat with the protrusion on the front coil spring upper insulator.
  - Check that the slot on the piston rod and the slot on the front coil spring upper seat are aligned.
INSTALL FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT DUST SEAL
1. Install a new front suspension support dust seal.
INSTALL FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT SUB-ASSEMBLY
TEMPORARILY TIGHTEN FRONT SUPPORT TO FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER NUT
1. Temporarily tighten a new front support to front shock absorber nut.
  
  Fig 7: Installing Front Support To Front Shock Absorber Nut
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
2. Remove SST from the front coil spring.
  NOTE:
  Do not use an impact wrench. It will damage SST.
INSTALL FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WITH COIL SPRING
1. Install the front shock absorber with coil spring (upper side) with the 3 nuts.
  
  Fig 8: Remove/Install Front Shock Absorber Fasteners (Upper Side)
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  Torque: 50 N*m (510 kgf*cm, 37 ft.*lbf)
2. Install the front shock absorber with coil spring (lower side) to the steering knuckle with the 2 bolts and 2 nuts.
  
  Fig 9: Remove/Install Front Shock Absorber Fasteners (Lower Side)
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  Torque: 240 N*m (2447 kgf*cm, 177 ft.*lbf)
  
  NOTE:
  Keep the bolts from rotating and tighten the nuts.
3. Fully tighten the front support to front shock absorber nut.
  
  Fig 10: Remove/Install Front Shock Absorber Nut
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  Torque: 47 N*m (479 kgf*cm, 35 ft.*lbf)
4. Apply No. 2 MP grease into the suspension support sub-assembly.
  
  Fig 11: Identifying Grease Applying Area On Suspension Support Sub-Assembly
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  NOTE:
  Do not apply grease to the rubber surfaces of the front suspension support sub-assembly.
INSTALL FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT DUST COVER
1. Install the front suspension support dust cover.
  
  Fig 12: Installing Front Suspension Support Dust Cover
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL FRONT SPEED SENSOR
1. Install the front speed sensor and front flexible hose to the front shock absorber with the bolt.
  
  Fig 13: Remove/Install Shock Absorber Bracket Bolt
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  Torque: 29 N*m (296 kgf*cm, 21 ft.*lbf)
  
  NOTE:
  Do not twist the front speed sensor when installing it.
  
  HINT:
  
  Install the speed sensor harness bracket first and then the front flexible hose.
2. Install the front speed sensor with the clamp to the front shock absorber.
  
  Fig 14: Remove/Install Front Speed Sensor Clamp
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
INSTALL FRONT STABILIZER LINK ASSEMBLY
1. Install the front stabilizer link assembly to the front shock absorber with coil spring with the nut.
  
  Fig 15: Installing Upper Front Stabilizer Link Assembly Nut
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  
  Torque: 74 N*m (755 kgf*cm, 55 ft.*lbf)
  
  NOTE:
  If the ball joint turns together with the nut, use a hexagon wrench (6 mm) to hold the stud bolt.
INSTALL OUTER COWL TOP PANEL . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 19
INSTALL WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND LINK ASSEMBLY . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 3
INSTALL COWL TOP VENTILATOR LOUVER LH . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 4
INSTALL COWL TOP VENTILATOR LOUVER RH . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 5
INSTALL HOOD TO COWL TOP SEAL . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 6
INSTALL FRONT WIPER ARM AND BLADE ASSEMBLY RH . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 7
INSTALL FRONT WIPER ARM AND BLADE ASSEMBLY LH . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 8
INSTALL FRONT WIPER ARM HEAD CAP . Refer to INSTALLATION - Step 9
INSTALL FRONT WHEEL
Torque: 103 N*m (1050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*lbf)
INSPECT AND ADJUST FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
HINT:

Inspect and adjust front wheel alignment. Refer to ADJUSTMENT .