Component Replacement

The following components may be replaced as follows:

• Front spring and shocks (3C098) must be replaced individually. Replace only the damaged assembly. It is not necessary to replace in pairs.
• Front wheel bearing (1215) and front shock absorber mounting bracket (18183) may be replaced individually.
• Front wheel spindle (3105) may be replaced individually.
• Wheel hubs (1104) and front wheel bearing may be replaced as an assembly.
• Stamped front suspension lower arm (3078) assemblies are replaceable with the ball joint.
• Ball joints and ball joint seals are serviceable.
• Front stabilizer bar (5482) may be replaced.
• Rack and pinion mounting bracket insulators (5484) may be replaced individually.
• Stabilizer bar brackets (5486) may be replaced individually.
• Stabilizer bar links (5K484) may be replaced individually.

Fasteners, Suspension

Suspension fasteners are important attaching parts because they could affect performance of vital components and systems, and/or could result in major service expense. They must be replaced with fasteners of the same part number or with equivalent parts if replacement becomes necessary. DO NOT use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be as specified during assembly to ensure proper retention of parts. New fasteners must be used whenever old fasteners are loosened or removed and when new components are installed.

Shock Absorber

• The front shock absorbers (18124) are mounted to the body through a front shock absorber mounting bracket system. The ball bearing provides a very smooth, highly durable pivot for the front shock absorber assembly.
• The oversize front shock absorber mounting bracket provides maximum impact and noise isolation. The front shock absorber mounting bracket is attached to the body side apron with two studs and a nut. The lower end of the assembly attaches to the front wheel spindle with two bolts.

The following definitions will indicate when a front shock absorber should or should not be replaced because of oil weepage or leakage:

Weepage is a condition in which a thin film of oil may be deposited on the strut outer tube (body), and is normally noticed due to the collection of dust in this area. This condition is normal during the shock absorber seal break-in period of 4827-8045 km (3000-5000 miles) and may or may not occur in some front shock absorbers . Although the film of oil may be noticed on most of the front shock absorber body, the amount of weeped oil required to cause this film is less than one percent of the total strut oil and, therefore, does not affect the performance of the front shock absorber . Normally, weepage stops after the initial dampening (wetting) of the front shock absorber body and seal break-in period. No sign of new oil is visible.

Leakage is a condition in which the entire front shock absorber body is covered with oil that has dripped down onto the front suspension lower arm or onto the pavement during overnight parking. In this case, the front shock absorber always shows a wet surface and does not dry as in weepage.

A front shock absorber should only be replaced if it shows signs of leakage as described, but not if it falls under the description of weepage.

NOTE: If a front shock absorber needs replacement, it is not necessary to replace both RH and LH front shock absorbers . Only the front shock absorber in question should be replaced.

If the piston rod does not extend on a front shock absorber when removed from the vehicle, the front shock absorber should be replaced.