Replacing Rear Shocks - Am I missing something?

[GilesO]

Got ready to change the rear shocks on the 2012 Multispace today.

Haynes manual basically says...
1. Remove wheel.
2. Undo lower damper bolt.
3. For OS side, remove tailpipe and exhaust shield.
4. Undo 4 bolts holding upper mount for the damper.

Hmm...

The top of the spring also locates on this bracket (no mention of this in Haynes - phots don't show the spring at all).

So...

Remove the springs. The manual says...
1. Release damper lower bolt on both sides.
2. Allow both rear arms to drop to maximum 
3. Remove springs

Err...

The spring is still tight against both mounts. No amount of pulling, pushing or swearing will move the spring. Resorted to a spring compressor but it was looking a bit dodgy and decided to bolt it all back together and leave it alone.

Why is it so hard? Why is the manual so wrong? What am I missing?

[brodfather11]

Had a very quick look at mine ,a 2010 b9 and it looks as if the spring does not need removing. The inner wheel splash guard hides a lot.

My haynes manual (1996-2010) only shows the rear suspension with the torsion bar , no springs.

[Zion]

Setup on the B9 looks like this - the shock should unbolt without removing the spring but you will need to jack somewhere on the stub axle to take the spring pressure and be able to release and then refit the shock.

If the spring has to come out (and Citroen say it does) then its a compressor set for sure.

   

I'll check on the Servicebox for a procedure. 

Ok here it is:


  B9 rear shock remove-replace.pdf (Size: 266.26 KB / Downloads: 10)


  B9 rear spring replacement.pdf (Size: 378.86 KB / Downloads: 6)

[GilesO]

Thanks for that.
So Citroen says ‘remove the rear springs’ as a single line in the damper replacement instructions. A crucial bit missing from the Haynes manual.

And to remove the springs, Citroen say use a sling compressor - again, different to the Haynes manual.

No wonder I was confused…