Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
ALFA ROMEO 159 (939) 2.2 JTS, ALFA ROMEO Brera (939_) 2.2 JTS (939.DXB11), ALFA ROMEO 159 Sportwagon (939) 2.2 JTS, ALFA ROMEO SPIDER (939) 2.2 JTS

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorber on ALFA ROMEO 159 (939) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Tools you need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #17
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Combination spanner #21
                      
                        Combination spanner #22
                      
                        Drive socket # 8 
                      
                        Drive socket # 10 
                      
                        Drive socket # E14 
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        Torx bit T25
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Phillips screwdriver
                      
                        Clip removal tool
                      
                        Locking pliers
                      
                        Rubber mallet
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for 159 Sportwagon (939) and other ALFA ROMEO models

 
    ALFA ROMEO 159 (939) 2.2 JTS
  
    ALFA ROMEO Brera (939_) 2.2 JTS (939.DXB11)
  
    ALFA ROMEO 159 Sportwagon (939) 2.2 JTS
  
    ALFA ROMEO SPIDER (939) 2.2 JTS

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. AUTODOC recommends:

Both shock struts of the rear suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the rear suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts.Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Open the boot lid.
Step 4

Move the folding shelf and detach it from the retainers. By doing this, you will get access to the side trim plastic panels.
Step 5

Fold down the backrests of the rear seats.
Step 6

Raise the lower lining of the boot.
Step 7

Remove the clips of the boot front lower lining. Use a clip removal tool.
Step 8

Remove the boot front lower lining.
Step 9

Remove the clips of the boot side lining. Use a clip removal tool.
Step 10

Unscrew the fastener of the boot side lining. Use Torx T25.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Unscrew the fastener of the central protective plastic panel.Use Torx T25.Use a ratchet wrench.Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 12

Unscrew the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel.Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 13

Remove the central protective plastic panel.
Step 14

Remove the side plastic cover.
Step 15

Remove the cover of the boot side lining.
Step 16

Detach the boot side lining.
Step 17

Remove the seat belt trim cover.Use a drive socket #10.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the boot side lining.
Step 19

Detach the bulb connector.
Step 20

Unscrew the fastener and remove the boot side sound insulation.
Step 21

Clean the fasteners of the shock absorber upper mount.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 22

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.

Step 23

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:

Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Step 24

Remove the wheel.
Step 25

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer bar with the control arm. Use a drive socket #18.
Step 27

Clean the shock strut fasteners.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 28

Unscrew the fastener connecting the shock strut to the suspension control arm.Use a combination spanner #21.Use a drive socket #21.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 29

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 30

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 31

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.Use a drive socket #E14.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 32

Clean the fastener connecting the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm. Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Make a mark on the camber adjustment bolt.
Step 34

Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #22.
Step 35

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar. Use a rubber mallet.
Step 36

Unscrew the front fastener connecting the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #21.
Step 37

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 38

Detach the rear knuckle from the suspension control arm.

Step 39

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 40

Remove the strut piston rod nut.Use a drive socket #16.
Step 41

Pull down the suspension control arm. Use a crowbar.
Step 42

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 43

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 44

Compress the spring.
Step 45

Remove the strut piston rod nut.Use a combination spanner #17.Use a drive socket #8.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 46

Remove the top strut mount.Use a crowbar.
Step 47

Release the coil spring.
Step 48

Remove the spring.
Step 49

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 50

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Tip:

Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 51

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 52

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 53

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 54

Compress the spring.
Step 55

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 56

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #17.Use locking pliers. Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. AUTODOC experts recommend:

Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 57

Decompress the spring.
Step 58

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 59

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 60

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 61

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:

Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon
Step 62

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 63

Clean the mounting seats of the rear knuckle. Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 64

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Tip from AUTODOC:

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 65

Attach the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm.
Step 66

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 67

Install the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar.
Step 68

Screw in the rear fastener connecting the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #22.
Step 69

Install the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar.
Step 70

Screw in the front fastener connecting the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #21.
Step 71

Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Step 72

Tighten the rear fastener connecting the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #22.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 85 Nm torque.
Step 73

Tighten the front fastener connecting the rear knuckle to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #22.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 85 Nm torque.

Step 74

Tighten the fastener connecting the shock strut to the suspension control arm.Use a combination spanner #21.Use a drive socket #21.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 75 Nm torque.
Step 75

Treat the rear knuckle fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 76

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 77

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount.Use a drive socket #E14.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 35 Nm torque.
Step 78

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer bar with the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18.Use a drive socket #18.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 79

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.Treat the contacting surface.Use copper grease.
Step 80

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon. AUTODOC recommends:

To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 81

Screw in the wheel bolts.Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 82

Lower the car.
Step 83

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #16.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 84

Install the boot side sound insulation and screw in its fasteners.
Step 85

Attach the side lining of the boot.
Step 86

Attach the bulb connector.
Step 87

Install the clips of the boot side lining.
Step 88

Screw in the fastener of the boot side lining. Use Torx T25.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 89

Install the cover of the boot side lining.
Step 90

Install the side plastic panel.

Step 91

Screw the fasteners of the side plastic trim panel.Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 92

Install the central protective plastic panel.
Step 93

Screw in the fastener of the central protective plastic panel.Use Torx T25.Use a ratchet wrench.Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 94

Install the boot front lower lining.
Step 95

Install the clips of the boot front lower lining.
Step 96

Install the seat belt trim cover.Use a drive socket #10.
Step 97

Return the seat to its original position.
Step 98

Put down the lower lining of the boot.
Step 99

Install the folding shelf to its mounting seat.
Step 100

Close the lid of the luggage compartment.
Step 101

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 102

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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