Chevrolet Cruze Repair Manual: Shock Absorber Disposal
Warning: Gas charged shock absorbers contain high pressure gas. Do not remove the snap ring from inside the top of the tube. If the snap ring is removed, the contents of the shock absorber will come out with extreme force which may result in personal injury.
Warning: To prevent personal injury, wear safety glasses when centerpunching and drilling the shock absorber. Use care not to puncture the shock absorber tube with the centerpunch.
- Make an indentation 10 mm (0.4 in) from the bottom (4) of the tube (3) using a centerpunch.
- Clamp the shock absorber in a vise horizontally with the shock absorber rod (1) completely extended.
- Drill a hole in the shock absorber at the centerpunch (4) using a 5 mm (3/16 in) drill bit. Gas or a gas/oil mixture will exhaust when the drill bit penetrates the shock absorber. Use shop towels in order to contain the escaping oil.
- Make an indentation in the middle (2) of the tube (3) with a centerpunch.
- Drill a second hole in the shock absorber at the centerpunch (2) using a 5 mm (3/16 in) drill bit. Oil will exhaust when the drill bit penetrates the shock absorber. Use shop towels in order to contain the escaping oil.
- Remove the shock absorber from the vise. Hold the shock absorber over a drain pan horizontally with the holes down. Move the rod (1) in and out of the tube (3) to completely drain the oil from the shock absorber.
Shock Absorber Replacement
Removal Procedure
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and
Jacking the Vehicle.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and
Installati ...
Rear Spring Insulator Replacement
Removal Procedure
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the
Vehicle.
Support the rear axle with a tall jack stand near the shock absorber.
Remove the lower sh ...
Other materials:
Installation Procedure
Note: If the location of the original plug weld holes can not be
determined, space the plug weld holes every 40 mm (1½ in).
Drill 8 mm (5/16 in) for plug welding along the edges of the rear floor
panel filler as noted from the original
panel.
Clean and prepare the atta ...
Removal Procedure
Warning: Refer to Approved Equipment for Collision Repair Warning in the
Preface section.
Warning: Refer to Glass and Sheet Metal Handling Warning in the Preface section.
Disable the SIR System. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling.
Disconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to Bat ...
Additional Maintenance and Care
Your vehicle is an important investment and caring for it properly may help to
avoid future costly repairs. To maintain vehicle performance, additional maintenance
services may be required. It is recommended that your dealer perform these services
— their trained dealer technicians know your v ...