Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
OPEL Astra H Saloon (A04) 1.6 (L69) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on OPEL ASTRA H Saloon [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Astra H Saloon (A04) and other OPEL models

Shock Absorber

OPEL Astra H Saloon (A04) 1.6 (L69)

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

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Combination spanner #17
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Drive socket # 18
                      
                        Drive socket # 21
                      
                        HEX bit No.H6
                      
                        HEX bit No.H7
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Hammer
                      
                        Pliers
                      
                        Water pump pliers
                      
                        Flat Screwdriver
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H saloon. AUTODOC recommends:

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 saloon – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 4

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts.Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 5

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 6

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:

Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Opel Astra H saloon
Step 7

Remove the wheel.
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 #17.Use a drive socket #18.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 11

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

Remove the fastener attaching the brake hose to the shock strut.Use pliers.
Step 13

Detach the brake hose from the shock strut.
Step 14

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 15

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

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 17

Prop up the steering knuckle.Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 18

Remove the shock strut mount cap.
Step 19

Remove the retainer of the shock strut upper mount.Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 20

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 21

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 22

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 23

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

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

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 24

Compress the spring.
Step 25

Treat the shock strut rod.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26

Remove the strut piston rod nut.Use HEX No.H7.Use a drive socket #21.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 27

Remove the top strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:

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

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 29

Release the coil spring.
Step 30

Remove the spring.
Step 31

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

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

Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 32

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 33

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 34

Compress the spring.
Step 35

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 36

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6.Use a drive socket #21.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H saloon. Professionals recommend:

Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 37

Treat the shock strut rod.Use copper grease.
Step 38

Decompress the spring.
Step 39

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 40

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 41

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 42

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:

Opel Astra H saloon – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 43

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 44

Install the retainer of the shock strut upper mount.Use water pump pliers.
Step 45

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 46

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H saloon. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 47

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 77 Nm torque.
Step 48

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 49

Fasten the brake hose on the strut.
Step 50

Install the brake hose retaining clip.Use a hammer.
Step 51

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 52

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut.Use a combination spanner #17.Use a drive socket #18.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 53

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount.Treat the steering knuckle fasteners.Use copper grease.
Step 54

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat.Use a wire brush.
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.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: suspension strut – Opel Astra H saloon. 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 saloon
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 120 Nm torque.
Step 60

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 61

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 62

Close the hood.

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