Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Convertible (T92) 1.8 16V, VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Convertible (T92) 1.6 i … 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

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). Tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #19
                    
                      Drive socket # 10 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 19 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #19
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Pliers 
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). 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.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the hood.

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

Remove the upper part of the scuttle panel.
Step 5

Clean the fasteners of the lower part of the scuttle panel. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 6

Unscrew the fasteners of the lower part of the scuttle panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Remove the lower part of the scuttle panel.
Step 8

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 9

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #18. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 11

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 12

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.

Step 13

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 14

Remove the wheel.
Step 15

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. 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 #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 18

Disconnect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 19

Clean the fasteners connecting the brake hose to the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 20

Remove the brake hose retaining clip. Use pliers.
Step 21

Disconnect the brake hose.
Step 22

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock 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 combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench.
Step 24

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 25

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 26

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 27

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92) – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 28

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 29

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). Professionals 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 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 32

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 33

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). Tip from AUTODOC:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.
Step 34

Release the coil spring.
Step 35

Remove the spring.
Step 36

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

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). Tip:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 37

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 38

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 39

Compress the spring.
Step 40

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 41

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #18. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 42

Decompress the spring.
Step 43

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 44

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 45

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92)
Step 46

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 47

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 48

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 49

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 50

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 90 Nm torque.+45°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 51

Attach the brake hose.
Step 52

Install the brake hose retaining clip. Use pliers.
Step 53

Connect the ABS sensor wiring.
Step 54

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92) – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 55

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 56

Tighten the stabiliser link fastener. Use a combination spanner #19. Use a drive socket #19. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 57

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 58

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 59

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 60

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92). Professionals recommend:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 61

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. VAUXHALL Astra Mk3 (F) Cabrio (T92)
Step 62

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19.
Step 63

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 110 Nm torque.
Step 64

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 65

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a combination spanner #18. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 55 Nm torque.
Step 66

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 67

Reinstall the lower part of the scuttle panel.
Step 68

Screw in the fasteners of the lower part of the scuttle panel. Use a drive socket #10. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 69

Reinstall the upper part of the scuttle panel.
Step 70

Install the cowl grille seal.

Step 71

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 72

Close the hood.

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