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
Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 15
Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #17. Use Torx T30. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 16
Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 17
Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18
Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19
Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a tap wrench.
Step 20
Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm.
Step 21
Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use a drive socket #30.
Step 22
Remove the drive shaft. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 23
Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #16. Use a tap wrench.
Step 24
Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 25
Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 26
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 27
Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut. Use a hammer.
Step 28
Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #22.
Replacement: suspension strut – Citroen C3 1. Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 29
Remove the suspension strut.
Step 30
Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.
Replacement: suspension strut – Citroen C3 1. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
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 31
Compress the spring.
Step 32
Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #19. Use HEX No.H7. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 33
Remove the top strut mount.
Step 34
Release the coil spring.
Step 35
Remove the spring.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Citroen C3 1. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 36
Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Replacement: suspension strut – Citroen C3 1. Tip from AUTODOC:
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 upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 41
Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H7. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
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
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. Citroen C3 1 Do not tighten it.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. Citroen C3 1
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 bolt.
Step 49
Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #16.
Step 50
Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.
AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Citroen C3 1. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 51
Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 52
Install the drive shaft.
Step 53
Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 54
Screw the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #16.
Step 55
Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 56
Tighten the stabiliser link fastener. Use a drive socket #17.
Step 57
Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 58
Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 59 Nm torque.
Step 59
Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 35 Nm torque.
Step 60
Tighten the ball joint fastener. Use a drive socket #16. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 52 Nm torque.
Step 61
Screw the nut of the drive shaft. Use a drive socket #30.
Step 62
Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 63
Treat all joints of the stabiliser link. Use copper grease.
Step 64
Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 65
Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.
Replacement: suspension strut – Citroen C3 1. Tip from AUTODOC:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 66
Install the wheel.
AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. Citroen C3 1
Step 67
Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 68
Lower the car.
Step 69
Tighten the drive shaft nut. Use a drive socket #30. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 245 Nm torque.
Step 70
Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 Nm torque.
Step 71
Restake the fastener of the driveshaft. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 72
Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #22. Use HEX No.H7. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 nm torque.
Step 73
Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 74
Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 75
Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 76
Close the hood.
Was this manual helpful?
Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.
Users voted – 0
Searching for the right tyres?
Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the CITROËN C3 I Hatchback (FC, FN) model.
It can track car expenses, keep a car log and replacement schedule, and save favourite materials, notes and documents
Install the AUTODOC CLUB app!
Your personal car expenses manager, maintenance tips, reminders about upcoming appointments and service intervals, DIY repair instructions – all this on your phone.
Scan
To download the app:
- scan the QR code
- download from App Store
- download from Google Play
Tips & tricks for your CITROËN C3 I Hatchback (FC_, FN_)
View more
Replacing your engine cooling fan | AUTODOC tips
DIY car soundproofing | AUTODOC tips
4 reasons why your CHECK ENGINE light is on | AUTODOC tips