Front Suspension: Other Kia Optima I

DISPOSAL

1. Fully extend the shock absorber rod.
2. Drill a hole to remove gas from the cylinder.

Scheme 15

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

1. Install the special tool, spring compressor, on the coil spring and compress the spring. After spring is fully compressed, install it on the shock absorber assembly.
2. Install the dust cover, upper spring pad, bushing (B), bracket, bushing (A) in that order and hand tighten the new self-locking nut.
3. Position the upper and lower ends of the coil spring in the upper spring pad and lower spring seat groove. (Scheme 21): Positioning Upper & Lower Ends Of Spring In Upper Spring Pad & Lower Spring Groove
4. Place the bracket to align the bracket bolt with the projection of the fork bracket in a straight line.
5. Loosen the special tool. (Scheme 22): Loosening Special Tool
6. While holding the piston rod, tighten the new self locking nut to the specified torque. Tightening torque: 20-25 Nm (200-250 kg.cm, 15-18 lb. ft) (Scheme 23): Torquing Self Locking Nut

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

1. Place the fork bracket of the strut toward the inside of the vehicle, then install the strut assembly to the wheel house. (Scheme 24): Installing Strut Assembly To Wheel House
2. Install the fork to the strut assembly. (Scheme 25): Installing Fork To Strut Assembly
3. Install the brake hose.
4. Install the wheel and tire.

Exploded View Of Lower Arm Components. Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

Scheme 23

Scheme 24

Scheme 25

1. Remove the wheel and tire.
2. Loosen the ball joint nut but do not remove it
3. Using the special tool, disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the lower arm connector. (Scheme 26): Disconnecting Lower Arm Ball Joint From Lower Arm Connector
4. Remove the ball joint assembly. (Scheme 27): Removing Ball Joint Assembly
5. Remove the bolt, fork to lower arm connector. (Scheme 28): Removing Bolt, Fork To Lower Arm Connector
6. Remove the stabilizer link from the lower arm. (Scheme 29): Removing Stabilizer Link From Lower Arm
7. Remove the 2 bolts from the lower arm bushing (A). (Scheme 30): Removing Bolts From Lower Arm Bushing (A)
8. Remove the bolt from the lower arm bushing (G). (Scheme 31): Removing Bolt From Lower Arm Bushing (G)
9. Remove the steering gear box. See appropriate STEERING article.
10. Remove the stabilizer bar.

Scheme 26

1. Remove the connector from the lower arm.
2. Using the special tool, remove the shock absorber mounting bushing. (Scheme 32): Removing Shock Absorber Mounting Bushing
3. Using the special tool, remove the lower arm bushing (G). see scheme 35: Removing Lower Arm Bushing (G)

Scheme 27

Scheme 28

1. Check the bushing for wear and deterioration.
2. Check the lower arm for bending or breakage.
3. Check the ball joint dust cover for cracks.
4. Check all bolts.
5. Check the lower arm ball joint for rotating torque. If a crack is noted in the dust cover, replace the ball joint assembly. Shake the ball joint stud several times. Measure the ball joint rotating torque. (Scheme 34): Measuring Ball Joint Rotating Torque Standard value: 0.2~1.0 Nm, (2~10 kg.cm, 1.77~8.5 lb. in) If the rotating torque is below the lower limit of standard value, replace the ball joint assembly. Even if the rotating torque exceeds the upper limit of standard value, it may be reused unless it is 1.5 Nm (15 kg.cm, 13.3 lb. in.) or more.
6. Check the stabilizer link ball joint rotating torque. If there is a crack in the dust cover, replace it and add grease. Shake the stabilizer link ball joint stud several times. Mount the self locking nut on the ball joint, and then measure the ball joint rotating torque. Standard value: 1.7-3.2 Nm (17-32 kg.cm, 15-27 lb. in.) (Scheme 35): Mounting Self Locking Nut & Rechecking Torque If the rotating torque exceeds the upper limit of standard value, replace the stabilizer link. Even if the rotating torque is below the lower limit of the standard value, the ball joint may be reused unless it has drag and excessive play.

Scheme 29

Scheme 30

Scheme 31

1. Using the special tool, press fit the shock absorber mounting bushing. (Scheme 36): Press Fitting Shock Absorber Mounting Bushing
2. Position the lower arm bushing (G) at the angle indicated in the illustration. (Scheme 37): Positioning Lower Arm Bushing (G)
3. Using the special tool, press fit the lower arm bushing (G). see scheme 40: Press Fitting Lower Arm Bushing (G)
4. Install the connector to the lower arm assembly.

Scheme 32

1. Install the stabilizer link so that the distance (A) is at the standard value.
2. Installation is reverse of removal. Standard value (A): 3~5 mm (0.0118-0.197 in.) see scheme 41: Installing Stabilizer Link

Exploded View Of Upper Arm Components. Scheme 33

Scheme 34

Scheme 35

Scheme 36

1. Remove the wheel and tire.
2. Loosen the ball joint nut but do not remove it.
3. Using the special tool, disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle. see scheme 43: Disconnecting Upper Arm Ball Joint From Knuckle
4. Remove the 2 nuts from the wheel house panel then remove the upper arm assembly. see scheme 44: Removing 2 Nuts From Wheel House Panel & Upper Arm Assembly
5. Remove the upper arm shaft. see scheme 45: Removing Upper Arm Shaft
6. Installation is reverse of removal.

Scheme 37

1. Check the bushing for wear and deterioration.
2. Check the upper arm for bending or breakage.
3. Check the ball joint for rotating torque. If there is a crack in the dust cover, replace it and add grease. Shake the stabilizer link ball joint stud several times. Mount the self locking nut on the ball joint, and then measure the ball joint rotating torque. Standard value: 0.~1.5 Nm (5~15 kg.cm, 4.43~13.27 in.) see scheme 46: Mounting Self Locking Nut & Measuring Rotating Torque If the rotating torque exceeds the upper limit of standard value, replace the upper arm assembly. Even if the rotating toque is below the lower limit of the standard value, the ball joint may be reused unless it has drag and excessive play.