Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.6 LPG (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.4 LPG (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.4 (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.4 (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.6 (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.8 (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 2.0 Turbo (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 2.0 Turbo (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.7 CDTI (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.7 CDTI (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.9 CDTI (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.9 CDTI 16V (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.9 CDTI (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.9 CDTI (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.8 (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.6 Turbo (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.6 (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.7 CDTI (L35), OPEL Astra H Caravan (A04) 1.7 CDTI (L35) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front shock absorbers on OPEL ASTRA H TUTORIAL | AUTODOC

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner
                    
                      Copper grease
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Drive socket # 19
                    
                      Drive socket # 21
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #19
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Pliers 
                    
                      Flat Screwdriver
                    
                      Rubber mallet
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Pin punch
                    
                      Water pump pliers
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
Please note: all work on the car – Opel Astra H Caravan – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

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

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Detach the ABS sensor connector. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 7

Take out the retainer clip and move the brake hose out of the bracket on the shock strut. Use pliers. Use a rubber mallet.
Step 8

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 9

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 11

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 12

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 13

Remove the fastening bolts (2 pieces). Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 14

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 15

Lower the car.
Step 16

Open the bonnet.
Step 17

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 18

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 19

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 20

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. AUTODOC experts recommend:
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 21

Compress the spring.
Step 22

Remove the suspension strut mount cap. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 23

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 24

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 25

Release the coil spring.
Step 26

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 27

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 28

Remove the spring.
Step 29

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. Tip from AUTODOC:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 30

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 31

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 32

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 33

Compress the spring.
Step 34

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 35

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #21. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 36

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.

Step 37

Install the suspesion strut mount cap.
Step 38

Decompress the spring.

Step 39

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 40

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 41

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use water pump pliers.
Step 42

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 43

Close the hood.
Step 44

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 45

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 46

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 47

Install the fastening bolts (2 pieces). Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.

Step 48

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Use a rubber mallet.

Step 49

Attach the brake hose retainer clip. Use pliers.
Step 50

Attach the ABS sensor connector.
Step 51

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 85 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 52

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 53

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 54

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the stabiliser link. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 56

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H Caravan. Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 57

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Opel Astra H Caravan
Step 58

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 59

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 nm torque.
Step 60

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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