For 1990-2009 cars

Caution: Gas charged shock absorbers contain high pressure gas. Do not remove the snap ring from inside the top of the tube. If the snap ring is removed, the contents of the shock absorber will come out with extreme force which may result in personal injury.

Caution: To prevent personal injury, wear safety glasses when centerpunching and drilling the shock absorber. Use care not to puncture the shock absorber tube with the centerpunch.

1. Make an indentation 10 mm (0.4 in) from the bottom of tube using a centerpunch.
2. Clamp the shock absorber in a vise horizontally with the shock absorber completely extended.
3. Drill a hole in the shock absorber at the centerpunch using a 5 mm (3/16 in) drill bit. Gas or a gas/oil mixture will exhaust when the drill bit penetrates the shock absorber. Use shop towels in order to contain the escaping oil.
4. Make an indentation in the middle of the tube with a centerpunch.
5. Drill a second hole in the shock absorber at the centerpunch using a 5 mm (3/16 in) drill bit. Oil will exhaust when the drill bit penetrates the shock absorber. Use shop towels in order to contain the escaping oil.
6. Remove the shock absorber from the vise. Hold the shock absorber horizontally with the hole down to drain the oil from the tube. Move the rod in and out of the tube to completely drain the oil from the tube.