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.
1. Make an indentation 10
mm (0.4
in) from the bottom
(4) of the tube
(3) using a centerpunch.
2. Clamp the shock absorber in a vise horizontally with the shock absorber rod (1) completely extended.
3. 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.
4. Make an indentation in the middle
(2) of the tube
(3) with a centerpunch.
5. 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.
6. 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.
© 2011 General Motors. All rights reserved.
Front Suspension
SUSPENSION
10
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CHEVROLET SONIC 2012 BODY REPAIR MANUAL