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How to change front suspension strut on Seat Leon 1M1 – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.6, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.9 TDI, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.9 TDI, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.4 16V, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.8 20V T, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.9 SDI, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.6 16 V, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.9 TDI, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.9 TDI, SEAT Leon Hatchback (1M1) 1.8 20V … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on SEAT LEON 1M1 [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Seat Leon 1M1. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner
                    
                      Electronic spray
                    
                      Ceramic grease
                    
                      Copper grease
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 13
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Drive socket # 30
                    
                      21-mm strut nut socket
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Shock absorber socket #DD9
                    
                      HEX bit no.H7
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Flat screwdriver
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Seat Leon 1M1. 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 Leon 1M1 – 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

Remove the shock strut mount cap.
Step 4

Clean the upper fastener of the suspension strut mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 5

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 6

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 7

Loosen the fastener of the driveshaft. Use a drive socket #30. Use a tap wrench.
Step 8

Loosen the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a tap wrench.
Step 9

Raise the car.

Replacement: suspension strut – Seat Leon 1M1. Tip:
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 10

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Seat Leon 1M1
Step 11

Remove the wheel.
Step 12

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 13

Detach the ABS sensor connector. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 14

Clean the lower fastener connecting the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 15

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 17

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use a drive socket #30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the fastening nut.
Step 19

Clean the fasteners connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 20

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the ball joint to the control arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 21

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 22

Disconnect the ball joint from the control arm.
Step 23

Detach the driveshaft from the steering knuckle.
Step 24

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 25

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the suspension strut.
Step 26

Support the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.

Step 27

Unscrew the upper fastener of the suspension strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 28

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 29

Set the suspension strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Seat Leon 1M1. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Note that when using a spring compressor, the spring coils need to be securely gripped, applying pressure on both ends.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils fit tightly into the retainers.
Step 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Clean the strut piston rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 32

Unscrew the strut piston rod nut. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 33

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 34

Decompress the spring.
Step 35

Remove the spring.
Step 36

Remove the shock absorber dust boot and bump stop.
Step 37

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 38

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Seat Leon 1M1. Professionals recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it 3–5 times by hand.
Step 39

Install the dust boot and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 40

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 41

Compress the spring.
Step 42

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 43

Tighten the nut of the suspension strut piston rod. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use a shock absorber socket #DD9. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 44

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.

Step 45

Decompress the spring.
Step 46

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 47

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 48

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 49

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

Step 50

Clean the ball joint mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 51

Install the suspension strut into the wheel arch.
Step 52

Screw in the top fasteners of the suspension strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Do not tighten it.
Step 53

Fasten the suspension strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 54

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 55

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Seat Leon 1M1. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 56

Install the drive shaft.
Step 57

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 58

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 59

Tighten the fasteners that connect the ball joint to the suspension arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 60

Install the fastening nut.
Step 61

Screw in the fastener of the CV axle. Use a drive socket #30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 62

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 63

Treat the ABS sensor connector. Use dielectric grease.
Step 64

Attach the ABS sensor connector.
Step 65

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 66

Tighten the lower fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 67

Tighten the fasteners connecting the ball joint to the control arm. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.+90°

Replacement: suspension strut – Seat Leon 1M1. AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 68

Treat the fastener that connects the suspension strut to the steering knuckle. Use copper grease.

Step 69

Treat the fasteners of the ball joint. Use copper grease.

Step 70

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 71

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use ceramic grease.
Step 72

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.
Step 73

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Seat Leon 1M1
Step 74

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 75

Lower the car.
Step 76

Tighten the drive shaft nut. Use a drive socket #30. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 200 Nm torque.
Step 77

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 78

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 79

Tighten the top fasteners of the suspension strut. Use a 21-mm strut nut socket. Use a shock absorber socket #DD9. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 80

Treat the upper fastener of the suspension strut mount. Use copper grease.

Step 81

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 82

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 83

Close the bonnet.

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