KYB guides PMM through the replacement of the front shock absorbers on the following vehicles: Renault Trafic II; Vauxhall Vivaro; and Nissan Primastar, each from 2001 onwards.
The estimated fitting time for front shock absorber replacement is 1 hour for the pair. The KYB part number is 335803.
Step-by-step guide:
1. Loosen stabiliser link, then remove ABS sensor and brake hose
2. Disconnect the top of the stabiliser link
3. Loosen the bottom bolts from the strut housing
4. Support the weight of the axle from below. Remove the bolts from the bottom bracket of the Macpherson Strut. Then support the weight of the corner unit
5. Under the bonnet, unscrew and move the coolant tank, to allow access to the top nut
6. Loosen the top nut of the strut
7. Hold onto the strut under the wheel arch and remove the top nut
8. Dismantle the strut assembly, using a coil spring compressor
9. Begin to re-assemble the new parts. Ensure the top of the dust cover aligns with the top of the widest part of the piston rod
10. Press the bearing unit into the rubber mounting
11. Take note of the lip on the spring seat of the strut and ensure that the end of the bottom of the coil spring sits flush against it
12. Take note of the lip on the spring plate cap and ensure that the end of the top of the coil spring sits flush against it
13. Tighten the top mount to the correct torque
14. Re-attach the top of the shock absorber on the vehicle finger tight. Relocate the strut housing and reconnect the bottom bolt, using the correct torque
15. Re-attach the stabiliser link to the correct torque
16. Re-attach the various sensors and hoses
17. Replace the wheel. Return to the top of the shock absorber and tighten to the correct torque
18. Replace the protective cap, pipe cover, then re-attach the coolant tank
KYB advises to check the wheel alignment after the shock absorber is fitted to the vehicle.
KYB also recommends that shock absorbers and coil springs are always fitted in axle pairs.
