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How to change front suspension strut on SEAT Altea (5P1) – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.6, SEAT Altea (5P1) 2.0 FSI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.9 TDI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 2.0 TDI 16V, SEAT Altea (5P1) 2.0 TDI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 2.0 TDI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 2.0 TFSI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 2.0 TDI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.8 TFSI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.4 TSI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.4 16V, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.6 TDI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.2 TSI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.9 TDI, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.6 LPG, SEAT Altea (5P1) 1.6 TDI … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for Altea (5P1) and other SEAT models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). Tools you need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Ceramic grease
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #10
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 10
                    
                      Drive socket # 13
                    
                      Drive socket # 16
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      12-point socket # 24 
                    
                      21-mm strut nut socket
                    
                      XZN socket bit #6
                    
                      XZN socket bit #14
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Torx bit T30
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6
                    
                      HEX bit No.H7
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). AUTODOC experts recommend:

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 – SEAT ALTEA (5P1) – 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

Clean the plastic panel fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 4

Unscrew the plastic panel fasteners. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 5

Remove the rubber strip.
Step 6

Remove the plastic panel.
Step 7

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 8

Loosen the upper fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 9

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 10

Loosen the fastener of the driveshaft. Use 12-point socket No.24. Use a tap wrench.
Step 11

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 12

Raise the car.

Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). Professionals recommend:
If you are using a jack, make sure it rests on a flat surface without any unevenness.Be sure to additionally secure the car with jack stands.
Step 13

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. SEAT ALTEA (5P1)
Step 14

Remove the wheel.
Step 15

Clean the fastener that connects the sway bar link to the suspension strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use XZN #6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 18

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 19

Clean the fastener that connects the brake hose bracket to the suspension strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 20

Unscrew the fastener that connects the brake hose bracket to the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #10.
Step 21

Remove the brake hose bracket.
Step 22

Clean the lower fastener connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 23

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #14. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. SEAT ALTEA (5P1)
Step 24

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 25

Clean the fasteners connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 26

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the ball joint to the control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 27

Disconnect the ball joint from the control arm.
Step 28

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub.

Step 29

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 30

Detach the driveshaft from the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). Tip:
Make sure that the drive shaft is not unloaded (when the car is jacked).
Step 31

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 32

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 33

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 34

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
SEAT ALTEA (5P1) – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 35

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 36

Set the suspension strut on the spring compressor tool.

AUTODOC recommends:
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 37

Compress the spring.
Step 38

Clean the strut piston rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 39

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 40

Remove the upper strut mount together with the bump stop.
Step 41

Release the coil spring.
Step 42

Remove the spring.
Step 43

Remove the dust boot.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 44

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 45

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 46

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 47

Compress the spring.
Step 48

Install the dust boot.
Step 49

Install the upper strut mount together with the bump stop.
Step 50

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). Tip:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 51

Decompress the spring.
Step 52

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 53

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 54

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 55

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 56

Treat the splines of the driveshaft CV joint. Use copper grease.
Step 57

Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 58

Clean the suspension strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Clean the CV axle mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 59

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 60

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Do not tighten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. SEAT ALTEA (5P1)
Step 61

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 62

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 63

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 64

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 65

Install the drive shaft.
Step 66

Install and tighten the drive shaft bolt. Use 12-point socket No.24. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 67

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 68

Tighten the fasteners that connect the ball joint to the suspension arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 69

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 70

Tighten the stabiliser link fastener. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 71

Tighten the lower fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+90°
Step 72

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 73

Tighten the fasteners connecting the ball joint to the control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 74

Clean the brake hose bracket fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 75

Install the brake hose bracket.
Step 76

Tighten the fastener that connects the brake hose bracket to the suspension strut. Use a combination spanner #10.
Step 77

Tighten the brake hose fastening bracket to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #10. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 12 Nm torque.
Step 78

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 79

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 80

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use ceramic grease.
Step 81

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – SEAT ALTEA (5P1). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 82

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. SEAT ALTEA (5P1)
Step 83

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 84

Lower the car.

Step 85

Tighten the bolt connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use 12-point socket No.24. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+90°
Step 86

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 87

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 88

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 15 Nm torque.+90°
Step 89

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 90

Install the plastic panel.
Step 91

Screw on the plastic panel fasteners. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 92

Tighten the plastic panel fasteners. Use Torx T30. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 8 Nm torque.
Step 93

Install the rubber strip.

Step 94

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 95

Close the hood.

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