Introduction
Replacement rear shock absorbers Citroën C3 II 1.6 HDI, 2010
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Unlock the wheels then lift and chock the vehicle
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Remove the wheel
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Using a T20 torx screwdriver, remove the 2 mudguard screws
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with a flat screwdriver remove the 4 staples
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Using the jack, raise the arm so as to relieve the stress on the lower screw (1 or 2 cm is enough)
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With a female torx socket E16 and an extension loosen the screw
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Use a screwdriver to help you remove the screw
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no need to hold the nut it's a prisoner
This is actually an E16 female torx socket
Thanks Youri I corrected it!
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With a 16 socket loosen the upper screw
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No need to hold the nut it's a prisoner
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Grasp the top of the shock absorber , press down to compress it, in order to remove it from its upper housing before pivoting it to release it completely.
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As in the previous step, compress the shock absorber to reposition it, at the bottom then at the top
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Using a paper towel, insert the head of the screw into the socket so that it is securely held in place.
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Insert the bottom screw into the arm and tighten without locking
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Insert the top screw and lock the two screws (top and bottom) to finish the operation
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Put everything back in reverse order
Thanks for this tutorial, very clear. It took me 1 hour per side.
It is not practical to access the lower screw without a bridge, and on the right side, there is not much play to unscrew because of the exhaust pipe which limits the movement.
Small note: I am surprised by all the dirty grease in the tutorial photos. At 11 years old and 140,000 km, the rear axle of my C3 is still clean, the screws in very good condition and clean, no grease.
What are the tightening torques?
Very clear and simply explained, well done 10/10
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Cancel: I did not complete this guide.
20 other people completed this guide.
Team
15 Comments
Very well done and reassuring tutorial, thanks to you...we're going to get started
Good but the lower screw does not correspond at all to my C3 of 06/2004. It is a through screw. The nut removed, the shock absorber remains blocked on the screw. It must be taken out with a hammer to dismantle the shock absorber. The RTA and the EA give 4.2 ±0.4damN for the upper screw and 10.6 ±1damN for the lower one. I suppose that the 160mm to be respected allow to distribute the stress on the lower silentbloc during the travel. EA and RTA talk about using spring compressors. I don't really see the point if the arm is held by a jack. The RTA even recommends removing the spring before removing the shock absorber and putting it back afterwards. I understand even less.
It is advisable to compress and release the shock absorbers several times before installing them. My last set of Monroes did not pass the MOT after 10kkm and according to this MOT it would be due to the fact that they had not been compressed and released properly before installation.
impeccable , super bien expliqué , merci beaucoup
very good tutorial
It's faster like that!
It's easy to get there without being a mechanic, it's well explained.
Thank you, it was a great service to me, it's great
Good morning,
I would like to replace the rear shock absorbers of a C3 from 07/2003; On the RTA Citroën C3 (diesel, 1.4 HDI and 1.4 HDI 16v, page 664, photo 6.9) it says to tighten the upper screw to the torque then raise the rear axle so as to obtain a dimension X of 160 m/m, then tighten the lower screw to the torque. Problem, I don't really see where to take this dimension!! Is it between the body and the lower mounting.
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards to all,
jcf of the 30th
Hello Jean Claude Falais,
Yes, on the RTA it is clearly specified to raise the rear axle and have a dimension of 160mm.
This was not specified in the tutorial.
For my part, when you raise the rear axle, the distance is measured between the middle of the hole of the screw at the bottom of the shock absorber, and the place on the sheet metal where the rubber stop is placed (the dirty yellow thing that we see in one of the photos).
To do it, with a bridge, jack… With a bridge and a prop placed under the shock absorber support (shock absorber removed), I was able to put 16.5cm, there were 19 at the beginning.
And once you have reached this rating, then you can tighten to the prescribed torque (9.5 at head).
You also have to compress the springs when the car is on the wheel, then when you lift it, remove the springs (to then be able to do your measurement, otherwise it is impossible with the spring in place!!).
From memory, there has to be this setting dimension otherwise the shock absorber risks being too relaxed when refitting or something like that...
This is a 2010 C3 II
Hello, very good tutorial, is it on C3 I or C3 II? Thank you
Good tutorial. Very understandable. Just a small point: would the screws need a little grease?
very educational
The Oscaro team thanks you
Merci beaucoup !
