Front Shock Absorber Inspection

Remove the wheel and tire. (See WHEEL AND TIRE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
Inspect the front shock absorber for damage.
- If there is any malfunction, replace the front shock absorber. (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY (US) .)
Push up the dust boot to the point where the piston rod is visible as shown in the figure.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Inspect the front shock absorber for oil leakage and if there is any malfunction, replace the front shock absorber. (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY (US) .)

CAUTION:

Even if there is no oil leakage, there may be gas leakage or internal part damage. Gas leakage and internal part damage cause a lowered vehicle height, unstable vehicle movement, or abnormal noise. Perform the stroke inspection and verify that there is no malfunction.

SYMPTOM	DETAIL	Action
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.	OIL STAIN ON UPPER PART OF FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER Oil stain is above the spring seat as shown in the figure. NOTE: The oil stain is not progressive because the area dampens and dries repeatedly. The damping function is operating normally.	Wipe off any dust or oil on the surface.
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.	OIL LEAKAGE RUNS DOWN IN STRIP Oil is running down in a strip past the spring seat along the side of the front shock absorber as shown in the figure.	Replace the front shock absorber. (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY (US) .)
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.	OIL LEAKAGE FROM SPRING SEAT BOTTOM TO LOWER PART OF FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER Oil is running down in a band past the spring seat along the side of the front shock absorber as shown in the figure.

SYMPTOM

DETAIL

Action

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

OIL STAIN ON UPPER PART OF FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER

NOTE:

Wipe off any dust or oil on the surface.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

OIL LEAKAGE RUNS DOWN IN STRIP

Oil is running down in a strip past the spring seat along the side of the front shock absorber as shown in the figure.

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

OIL LEAKAGE FROM SPRING SEAT BOTTOM TO LOWER PART OF FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER

Oil is running down in a band past the spring seat along the side of the front shock absorber as shown in the figure.

Remove the front shock absorber and steering knuckle component. (See WHEEL HUB, STEERING KNUCKLE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION (US) .)
Remove the front shock absorber. (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY (US) .)
Expand and contract the front shock absorber piston rod 3 times or more at a certain speed and after the 4th time verify that the weight in a full stroke is constant with no abnormal response and noise.
- If there is any malfunction, replace the front shock absorber. (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) (See FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER AND COIL SPRING DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY (US) .)