For 1990-2009 cars

Caution: Failure to observe the following procedure when handling energy absorbers could cause personal injury.

• | Do not apply heat to an energy absorber.

• | Do not weld in the area of an energy absorber.

• | Do not attempt to repair a damaged energy absorber. Always replace the damaged energy absorber with a new part.

• | If an energy absorber is bound-up as a result of a collision such that it cannot extend, take precautions to avoid spring-back when bending sheet metal. Provide a positive restraint, such as a chain or cable to hold the bumper in the position it is in. Wear approved safety glasses and using a 3mm (1/8 inch) drill bit, drill a small hole in the piston tube near the bumper bracket to relieve gas pressure. Remove the energy absorber after gas pressure has been relieved.

• | If an energy absorber is to be scrapped, relieve the gas pressure prior to disposal of the part. Make an indentation with a center punch in the small cylinder section of the energy absorber.

Notice: An energy absorber that has a dislodged blowout plug (due to an above 8 km/h (5 mph) impact) could have insufficient absorber action in impacts below 8 km/h (5 mph). Complete diagnosis procedures must be followed after a collision to prevent excessive vehicle damage in any future low speed impacts.

1. Position the energy absorber lengthwise in the arbor press. Observe the original position of the unit. Then compress the absorber to at least 10 mm (3/8 in).
2. Release the pressure and determine whether the unit has returned to the original position. Discard the unit if the unit does not return to the original position.
3. Shake the energy absorber and listen for a loose internal part. Replace the unit if a rattling is heard. Rattling occurs when the orifice has sheared.