How to replace the rear shock absorbers - Part 2/2

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 5/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS YOU SPEND $150 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 5 HOURS TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • RISKS ASSOCIATED TO WORKING BENEATH A LIFTED VEHICLE. 
BEFORE YOU START
  • Please visit our specific page for lifting a car safely and securely. This intervention requires dismantling the rear spring and working underneath the vehicle.
  • Do not proceed with this intervention if you suffer from back, shoulder or neck problems or pain.
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.
NOTES:
  1. ​The below works occurred on a Peugeot 5008 7-seater MPV. Works on any other vehicle with a twist-beam (torsion beam) rear suspension are much similar or identical.
  2. This is an alternative and simplified method to the constructor's procedure as it doesn't require the removal of the exhaust muffler or the fixing of the shock absorber to the base plate at a particular angle (which is difficult to achieve) prior to refitting.
  3. Smaller vehicles will require less efforts to slacken then tighten the shock absorber bolts.
  4. In other cases, it will be possible to remove the shock absorbers without dismantling the springs.

Removing the base plate holding both coil spring and shock absorber

The base plate is fixed to the chassis by the means of 4 bolts.
Unscrew them and take it out along with the shock absorber.
The rear shock absorber can now be separated from the base plate.
The right picture shows from left to right:
  • The upper shock absorber fixing bolt
  • The lower shock absorber fixing bolt
  • The base plate that holds from top both the coil spring and the shock absorber
  • The shock absorber to be replaced
Do not proceed with the other side of the vehicle unless you first refit the coil spring and the new shock absorber on the side that you have dismantled and lower the vehicle.

Removing both coil springs at a time could lead to a twist-beam (torsion beam) deaxing.

The purpose of this picture is to show however that the base plate bolts to the other side could be hidden by the exhaust heat screen. Simply and gently bend the latter with your fingers in a manner to avoid creating a fold (so you can bend it back to its original shape) and access the bolts accordingly.
The difference between the leaking and damaged  shock absorber and the one which did not suffer the pothole is obvious in this picture.

As stated however in part 1/2 both shock absorbers have to be replaced even if only one of them is damaged unless the vehicle has a relatively low mileage like less than 50,000 Km.

Refitting the new rear shock absorber

First make sure the shock absorber you purchased is identical to the one you dismantled.
There might be some slight difference in the cap that covers the piston rod but the most important is to make sure of the lower and upper fixing rings.
Refit the shock absorber to the base plate but unlike the constructor's recommendation of adjusting it to a 90 degree angle with its fixing plane (for the particular case of a Peugeot 5008), tighten its upper bolt to contact only or a little bit more but in a manner that you can still tilt the shock absorber.
Refit the coil spring and shock absorber holding steel plate to the chassis and tighten to the required torque (4.5 mKg for the Peugeot 5008).
Now proceed as follows:
Bring the shock absorber lower ring to where you can fit the lower bolt and nut.
This requires you gently tilt it and elongate it.
Fit the lower fixing nut, ,then use two spanners as shown in the right picture until contact before tightening it to the required torque (20 mKg in the case of the Peugeot 5008, see Part 1/2 of this pictorial for using the right tool).​
Block the bolt head of the upper shock absorber fixing bolt with the tool that fits best the available space.
In the case of this Peugeot 5008, both a deep offset ring spanner (left) or a socket to which a angled link (universal joint) has been added can be used.
The universal joint blocks the socket when you tighten on the other side by hitting the car's chassis.
This allows you to work alone without the need to a second operator.
Now proceed as follows:
  1. Shake the vehicle.
  2. Fit the torque wrench with the necessary extensions to the shock absorber bolt nut.
  3. Use enough extensions and joints until you can comfortably manipulate the ratchet handle outside the vehicle.
  4. Put a safety jack beneath the extensions so you can tighten without worrying about the down force to generate on the extension.
  5. Tighten to the required torque (12 mKg for a Peugeot 5008).
  6. Do not forget to remove the tool you used to block the bolt head on the other side.

That's it ! Enjoy again a comfortable and safe ride...
Buy your Peugeot 5008 shock absorbers from our partners' store:

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