Dismantling and inspection

Dismantling and inspection

Normally during service if a shock absorber becomes weak in operation then a new unit should be fitted. Should however, it be necessary for the original unit to be overhauled proceed as follows:

1. Thoroughly clean the outer casing in petrol and blow dry using a compressed air jet.
2. Firmly clamp the lower shank of the shock absorber in a vice and telescope upwards the outer casing and using Fiat wrench A.56024 unscrew the upper threaded ring 3 (see FIG 8:11).
3. Remove the shock absorber from the vice and carefully remove the inner cylinder 15 using a screwdriver inserted in the cylinder bottom chamfer and remove the lower plug 32 which carries the compression and compensation valves.
4. Push the rod into the cylinder 15 and clamp the upper shank in a vice. Unscrew the plug 29, and carefully remove the piston 22 together with the inlet and rebound valves. Withdraw the rod 2 from the cylinder 15 and remove the seal gasket, the housing, and threaded ring. Thoroughly wash all parts in petrol and carefully blow dry using a compressed air jet. The following parts should be inspected as follows. Check that the inlet, rebound and compensation valve discs are not deformed or show signs of cracking. Inspect the surfaces of the piston, the seal ring and the compression valve to ensure that they are smooth and hydraulic fluid tight. Check that the rebound and compression valve springs and upper seal gasket springs are not broken or weak. Carefully inspect the two seal gaskets for damage or wear and it is recommended that they are renewed upon reassembly. Check that the rod and the cylinders show no sign of deformation and that the air pocket evacuating passage is not blocked. Also check that the capillary hole 12 is not blocked. Any parts which show signs of wear or damage must be renewed.