Removing
Disconnect the negative cable from the battery with the ignition off.
Attention: This will erase the data from the electronic memory blocks. See instructions in chapter «electrical equipment».
Mark the position of the front wheels in relation to the hubs so that you can then set the balanced wheel to the same position. With the vehicle on the ground, loosen the wheel nuts, raise the front of the vehicle, support it and remove the front wheel.
Ford Fiesta/Mazda 121: remove the steering knuckle.
Unscrew the nut and remove the connecting rod from the spring strut.
Remove the protective cap from the top nut of the suspension strut or shock absorber.
Loosen the top fixing nut (2) on the shock strut with a 10mm deep ring wrench while holding the stem with a 6mm hex wrench so that it does not turn.
Unscrew the fastening nut while supporting the suspension strut so that it does not fall out.
Remove the shock absorber and holder and pull the suspension strut down.
Installation
Insert the suspension strut from below so that it sits in the middle in its seat.
Align the support, insert the holder and shock absorber and tighten the upper suspension strut mounting nut to 50 Nm. At the same time, hold the shock absorber rod with a 6 mm hex wrench.
Note: A special tool may be required to tighten the nut to the correct torque.
Install the connecting rod on the suspension strut and tighten its fastening bolt to 50 Nm.
Install the steering knuckle.
Install the front wheel so that the marks made when removing the labels coincide. Lubricate the center hole on the disc lightly with grease. Do not lubricate wheel stud threads. Tighten the wheel nuts, lower the vehicle and tighten the wheel nuts crosswise to 90 Nm.
Connect the negative cable to the battery.
Set the clock.
If necessary, enter radio codes.
Check the wheel alignment as soon as possible and, if necessary, have it adjusted in a workshop.
If there is, put the protective cap on top of the suspension strut.
Special for Ford KA
Remove the steering knuckle from the suspension strut only.
Attention: When doing this, support the drive shaft so that it does not hang down after the suspension strut has been removed. To do this, place a suitable support under the shaft, namely next to the rubber boot of the outer CV joint.