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Frequently asked questions about cars and motorcycles

How to change the rear shock absorbers of the Opel Astra J

Model: Vauxhall Astra Astra J - Years 2009-2016
Part: Shocks

On the Opel Astra J, the intervention starts from the rear wheel: in the video, you can see that the bolts are loosened with the car on the ground, then the vehicle is lifted and the wheel is removed to completely free the area of the wheel arch and suspension. With the wheel removed, the rear shock absorber of the Opel Astra J is clearly visible, and work can be done on both the upper mounting inside the wheel arch and the lower one near the axle/arm. The removal begins from the wheel arch side: you reach the upper nut of the shock absorber and unscrew it with a ratchet, holding the shock absorber steady. Immediately after, you move to the lower part: in the video, you can see the lower bolt and the use of a socket to unscrew it until the shock absorber is freed from its seat. Once it is pulled out, the components to be transferred or replaced along with the shock absorber are also shown, such as the bump stop and the dust cover. For installation on the Opel Astra J, the new shock absorber is positioned, and the process is repeated in reverse order: first, it is "presented" in the housing, then the holes are realigned, and the lower mounting is reinserted, followed by closing the upper part in the wheel arch. The final tightening is done with a torque wrench to correctly tighten the mountings, and then the wheel is remounted.

Posted on 20 January 2026 by ScegliAuto

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