Front Shock Absorber Disposal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mazda Protege5, 2003 Mazda Protege, 2002 Mazda Protege5, and 2002 Mazda Protege. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Whenever drilling into a shock absorber, wear protective eye wear. The gas in the shock absorber is pressurized, and could spray metal chips into the eyes and face when drilling.

Clamp a shock absorber flat or with the piston downwards.
Drill a 0.08-0.11 inch (2-3 mm) hole at a point 0.8-1.1 inch (20-30) mm from the bottom of the tube, so that the gas can escape.

Fig 1: Drilling Shock Absorber
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Turn the hole downwards.
The oil can be collected by moving the piston rod several times up and down and cutting the tube at the end.
Dispose of waste oil according to the waste disposal law.

NOTE: Shock absorber gas is nitrogen gas.

NOTE: Shock absorber oil is mineral oil.