How to Replace the Front Shock Absorbers on a Nissan Qashqai

To replace the front shock absorbers on a Nissan Qashqai, start by opening the bonnet and raising the front of the car, removing the front wheels. To access the upper bolts of the shock absorbers, remove the covers of the wiper nuts, unscrew the nuts of the wiper arms, and then remove the wipers.

Once the wipers are removed, take off the clips holding the plastic frame to the base of the windscreen, disconnect the washer tube, unclip the washer pump and move it aside. Loosen the upper nut of the shock absorber slightly with an Allen key and a socket, and turn the 3 upper nuts of the shock absorber a few turns.

Now remove the stabiliser bar link, disconnect the ABS sensor flexible hose, and also remove the brake flexible hose from its housing. Unscrew and remove the two bolts of the shock absorber mount, then finish unscrewing the 3 upper bolts of the shock absorber.

With the shock absorber removed and placed on a stable support, compress the spring with a specific tool until the shock absorber is free from the spring. Using a spanner and an Allen key, unscrew the shock absorber top cap and detach the cap and the bump stop, then remove the spring from the shock absorber.

Now take the new shock absorber, unscrew the bar nut, remove the washer and the safety ring; press the shock absorber rod downwards to separate the gas from the liquid. Position the new shock absorber on a stable support; reattach the lower spring seat to the new shock absorber; install the foam bump stop; place the new bellows onto the new cap; reinstall the spring onto the new shock absorber; mount the cap lock onto the shock absorber bar; ensure the base of the spring is positioned on the lower spring seat; re-tighten the shock absorber bar nut; unscrew the tool compressing the spring, being careful of the spring's position; place the shock absorber in the car by screwing in the 3 upper bolts a few turns; insert the shock absorber mount support and tighten the bolts; reconnect the brake and ABS flexible hoses; reattach the stabiliser link in its upper housing by tightening the nut; remount the wheels and lower the car; tighten all bolts with a torque wrench (both upper and lower shock absorber); reposition the engagement pump; connect the washer fluid tube; remount the windscreen frame by securing the plastic clips, and finally, remount the wiper arms, replace the caps on the wiper arm nuts, and close the bonnet.

After completing this operation, a further check of the wheel alignment may be required.