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How to change front suspension strut on SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.2, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.2 TSI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.2 TSI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.4 TSI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.6 TDI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.6 TDI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.6, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.2 TSI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.2 TSI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.4 TSI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 1.4 TDI, SKODA Rapid Hatchback (NH3) 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 Rapid Hatchback (NH3) and other SKODA models

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      XZN socket bit # 14 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Drive socket # 36 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). Professionals 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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). Use the following procedure:

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 cowl grille seal.
Step 4

Raise up and remove the cowl grille.
Step 5

Remove the shock strut mount cap.
Step 6

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 9

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 10

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 11

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 12

Remove the wheel.
Step 13

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 16

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 17

Loosen the fastener of the driveshaft. Use a drive socket #36. Use a tap wrench.
Step 18

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use XZN #14. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.Wear protective goggles.
Step 21

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm.
Step 23

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use a drive socket #36.
Step 24

Remove the drive shaft.
Step 25

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 26

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 27

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 28

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 29

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 30

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 31

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). 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 32

Compress the spring.
Step 33

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 34

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 35

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 36

Release the coil spring.
Step 37

Remove the spring.
Step 38

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 39

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

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 40

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 41

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 42

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 43

Compress the spring.
Step 44

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 45

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

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). Tip:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 46

Decompress the spring.
Step 47

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 48

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 49

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 50

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

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 51

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 52

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 53

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 54

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 55

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
SKODA RAPID (NH3) – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 56

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.
Step 57

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 58

Screw the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 59

Screw the nut of the drive shaft. Use a drive socket #36. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 60

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 61

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 62

Tighten the stabiliser link fastener. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 63

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #14. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 64

Tighten the ball joint fastener. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 nm torque.
Step 65

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 40 Nm torque.
Step 66

Tighten the drive shaft nut. Use a drive socket #36. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.+45°

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

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 68

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 69

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – SKODA RAPID (NH3). Professionals recommend:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 70

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. SKODA RAPID (NH3)
Step 71

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 72

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 73

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 74

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a combination spanner #21. Use a drive socket #21. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 nm torque.
Step 75

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 76

Install and secure the cowl grille.
Step 77

Install the cowl grille seal.

Step 78

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 79

Close the hood.

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