The steps below are shortened from the Vauxhall TIS pages for the Speedster. The VX220 shares the same engines and most of the car, but check anything unusual against your own car. The TIS pictures and the full wording aren't reproduced, so use the workshop manual if you are doing the job. We haven't seen owners' accounts of this job, so there are no owner tips here.
For fitting aftermarket adjustable shocks see Adjustable shocks: fitting, and for the rest of the suspension see Suspension refresh.
A coil spring is under load. Use a proper spring compressor and follow the TIS warnings about the spring.
Shock absorber: removal and refitting
The TIS steps are the same for the Turbo and the NA.
Remove
- Rear wheel from vehicle.
- Rear wheel arch liner – screws, clips.
- Shock absorber from lower wishbone – bolt, nut, washers.
Install
- Shock absorber from bracket on chassis – bolt, nut, washers.
- Shock absorber to bracket on chassis – bolt, nut 45 Nm, washers.
- Shock absorber to lower wishbone – bolt, nut 45 Nm, washers.
- Rear wheel arch liner – screws, clips.
- Rear wheel to vehicle – bolts 90 Nm.
Shock absorber: replacement
The TIS steps are the same for the Turbo and the NA.
Remove
- Chock front road wheels
- Raise and support vehicle
- Remove rear road wheel (Use special socket located under bonnet)
- Release shock absorber from chassis (Remove bolt, nut, washer)
- Release shock absorber from lower wishbone (Remove bolt, nut, washer)
- Remove shock absorber from vehicle
- Remove spring from shock absorber (Use spring compressor)
Install
- Install spring to new shock absorber (Use spring compressor)
- Install shock absorber to vehicle
- Secure shock absorber to lower wishbone (Install bolt, washer, new nut 45)
- Secure shock absorber to chassis (Use new nylock nut)
- Remove support from lower wishbone
- Install rear road wheel (Install 4x wheel bolt, security bolt 90)
- Raise vehicle and remove support
- Lower vehicle
- Remove chocks from front road wheels
Suspension spring
The TIS steps are the same for the Turbo and the NA.
Procedure
- Suspension Spring, Remove and Install
Remove, Disconnect
- Shock absorber from rear suspension - see "Shock Absorber, Remove and Install".
Disassemble
- Suspension spring from shock absorber - use suitable compressor, release spring seat.
Assemble
- Suspension spring to shock absorber - use suitable spring compressor, install spring seat.
Install, Connect
- Shock absorber to rear suspension.