2010 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE Workshop Manual

Shock Absorber System (04.03)
Suspension (04.00)
May 2007 Workshop Manual 4-3-9
13. Remove bolts (x4) each side from damper upper mounting (see Fig. 7).
14. Remove spring and damper assembly (see Fig. 8).
15. Remove nuts (x3) each side from damper to mounting plates and remove mounting plates (see Fig. 9).
16. Position spring compresso r to spring and compress
spring.
17. Hold damper shaft and remove top mounting retaining nut. 18. Remove top mounting and spring assembly.
19. Remove spring compressor from spring.
Installation
1. Clean spring and top mounting .
2. Position spring compressor to new spring and compress
spring.
3. Install spring and top mounting and torque tighten retaining nut.
4. Remove spring compressor.
5. Position mounting plate to damper and torque tighten
retaining nuts (x3) each side.
6. Install spring and damper assembly and torque tighten upper bolts (x4) each side.
7. Install damper assembly to lower arm each side and torque tighten nuts and bolts.
8. Position fuel filler pipe to body and install and tighten nut.
9. Position fuel filler pipe and install and tighten bolt.
10. Position toe control arm each side and install and torque tighten nuts and bolts.
11. Position handbrake callipers each side, install bolts (x2) each side and tighten bolts to the correct torque.
12. Connect ABS sensor multiplugs each side.
13. Install clips (x2) each side from sensor harness to toe control arms.
14. Install LH wheel arch li ner. (see Workshop Manual
procedure 01.02.HB Wheel Arch Liner - Rear - RH -
Renew).
15. Install RH wheelwright li ner (see Workshop Manual
procedure 01.02.JB Wheel Arch Liner - Rear - LH -
Renew).
16. Install road wheel(s).
17. Lower vehicle on ramp.
18. Fit fuel filler cap and close fuel filler lid.
Rear Damper-Pair-Renew
Removal
1. Raise vehicle on ramp.
2. Remove road wheel(s).
3. Remove LH rear wheel arch liner (see Workshop Manual procedure 01.02.HB Wheel Arch Liner - Rear -
RH - Renew)
4. Remove RH wheel arch liner (see Workshop Manual procedure 01.02.JB Wheel Arch Liner - Rear - LH -
Renew).
5. Remove bolt securing fuel filler pipe bracket to damper
mounting plate.
6. Remove nut securing fuel fille r pipe to body and tie filler
pipe aside.
7. Disconnect ABS sensor multiplug.
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Repair Operation Time (ROT)

Shock Absorber System (04.03)
Suspension (04.00)4-3-10 Workshop Manual May 2007
8. Release sensor harness clips (x2) from toe control arm.
9. Remove bolts (x2) each side from handbrake calliper to rear hub.
10. Release calliper and position aside.
11. Remove nuts and bolts both sides from toe control arms.
12. Remove nuts and bolts each side from lower damper mountings.
13. Remove bolts (x4) each side from damper upper mounting.
14. Remove spring and damper assembly.
15. Remove nuts (x3) each side from damper to mounting plates and remove mounting plates.
16. Position spring compressor to spring and compress spring.
17. Hold damper shaft and remove top mounting retaining nut.
18. Remove top mounting and spring assembly.
19. Remove dust shield, rebound bumper and spring seat flange.
Installation
1. Clean spring, spring seat flange, rebound bumper, dust
shield and top mounting .
2. Install spring seat flange, rebound bumper and dust shield onto damper.
3. Install spring and top mounting and fit and tighten retaining nut.
4. Remove spring compressor.
5. Position mounting plate to damper and torque tighten retaining nuts (x3).
6. Install spring and damper assembly and torque tighten upper bolts (x4) each side.
7. Install damper assembly to lower arm each side and torque tighten nuts and bolts.
8. Position fuel filler pipe to body and install and tighten nut.
9. Position fuel filler pipe and install and tighten bolt.
10. Position toe control arm each side and install and torque tighten nuts and bolts.
11. Position handbrake callipers each side, install bolts (x2) each side and tighten bolts to the correct torque.
12. Connect ABS sensor multiplugs each side.
13. Install clips (x2) each side from sensor harness to toe control arms.
14. Install LH wheel arch liner (see Workshop Manual procedure 01.02.HB Wheel Arch Liner - Rear - RH -
Renew).
15. Install RH wheel arch liner (see Workshop Manual procedure 01.02.JB Wheel Arch Liner - Rear - LH -
Renew)
16. Install road wheel(s).
17. Lower vehicle on ramp.

Road Wheels and Tyres (04.04)
Suspension (04.00)
May 2007 Workshop Manual 4-4-1
Suspension (04.00)
Road Wheels and Tyres (04.04)Specifications
Tyres
The tyres recommended by Aston Martin meet the high
speed performance of this vehi cle. Only tyres of identical
specification may be installed as replacements. Under no
circumstances must cross-ply tyres be installed.
Unique Aston Martin lightweight aluminium alloy road
wheels. The tyres are made exclusively for Aston Martin.
Standard
Wheels
• Front - 8.5J x 18
• Rear - 9.5J x 18
Tyres
• Front - Bridgestone 235/40 ZR 18 (94Y)
Rear - Bridgestone 275/35 ZR 18 (99Y)
Optional
Wheels
• Front - 8.5J x 19
• Rear - 9.5J x 19
Tyres
• Front - Bridgestone 235/40 ZR 19 (92Y)

Road Wheels and Tyres (04.04)
Suspension (04.00)4-4-2 Workshop Manual May 2007
USA Tyre Gradings
The following information relates to the tyre grading system
developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration which grades tyres by tread wear, traction
and temperature performance.
Tr e a d W e a r
Tread wear grade is a comparat ive rating based on the wear
rate of the tyre when tested under controlled conditions
(specified government test course). For example, a tyre
graded 150 would wear one and a half times less on the
government course than a tyre graded 100. Relative
performance of the tyres depends upon actual conditions of
use and may depart significantly from normal due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
Tr a c t i o n
Traction grades, A (highest), B and C represent a tyre’s ability
to stop in wet conditions measured on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
Te m p e r a t u r e
Temperature grades, A (highest), B and C, represent a tyre’s
resistance to the generation of wear and its ability to
dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions
(specified indoor laboratory test road wheel). Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of a tyre to degenerate
and reduce tyre life; excessive temperatures can lead to
sudden tyre failure. Grade ‘C’ corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger vehicle tyres must meet
under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades ‘B’ and ‘A’ represent higher levels of performance
than the minimum required by law. Aston Martin grade as follows:
Torque Figures
DescriptionNmlb/ft
Road wheel nuts:
Step 1 for all Wheel Nuts 80 60
Step 2 for 22 mm Wheel Nuts 135 100
Step 2 for Titanium Wheel Nuts 150 111
Step 2 for 21 mm Wheel Nuts 180 133
WAR NI NG
PDI INSPECTION.
TRACTION GRADE IS BASED ON BRAKING (STRAIGHT AHEAD) TRACTION TESTS AND DOES NOT INCLUDE
CORNERING (TURNING) TRACTION.
WAR NI NG
TEMPERATURE GRADE IS ESTABLISHED FOR A TYRE THAT IS PROPERLY INFLATED AND NOT
OVERLOADED. EXCESSIVE SPEED, UNDER INFLATION
OR EXCESSIVE LOADING, WHETHER SEPARATELY OR
IN COMBINATION, CAN CAUSE HEAT BUILD-UP AND POSSIBLE TYRE FAILURE.
Tyre Grade Level Achieved
Tread Wear 140 Traction A
Temperature A

Road Wheels and Tyres (04.04)
Suspension (04.00)
May 2007 Workshop Manual 4-4-3
Maintenance
Factory installed tyres and road wheels are designed to
operate satisfactory when inflated to the recommended
inflation pressures (Refer to ’Inspection and Verification’,
page 4-4-4). The recommended pressures apply to vehicle
loads up to and including the full-rated load capacity.
Correct tyre pressures and driving technique have an
important influence on tyre life. Heavy cornering,
excessively rapid acceleration and unnecessary sharp
braking increase tyre wear.
Replacement tyres should follow the recommended:
The use of any other size or type may seriously affect:
Wheels need to be renewed when:
Safety
Tyre Replacement and Wheel
Interchanging
When replacement of tyres is required it is preferable to
install a complete vehicle set. S hould either the front or rear
tyres only show excessive wear, new tyres must be installed
to replace worn ones. Under no circumstances interchange
tyres from side to side, front to re ar or vice versa as individual
tyre wear produces unique characteristics depending upon
their position. If the position is changed after wear has
occurred, the performance of the tyre will be adversely
affected.
New tyres must be balanced before installing to the vehicle.
•Size
•Speed rating
•Load range
• Radial construction type
•Safety
•Ride
•Handling
• Speedometer and Odometer calibration • Vehicle ground clearance
• Tyre clearance between
body and chassis
• Wheel bearing life
• Brake cooling
• Impact damaged
• Heavily corroded
• Porous • Wheel stud holes or seats
become damaged
• They have excessive radial or lateral runout.
ENSURE THAT TYRES ARE MOUNTED WITH THE
SIDEWALL MARKING ‘OUTSIDE’ SHOWING ON THE
OUTER SIDEWALL FACE.
CORRECT TYRE ROTATIONAL DIRECTION IS CRITICAL.
WA R N I N G
A TYRE AND WHEEL MUST ALWAYS BE CORRECTLY MATCHED. WIDER OR NARROWER TYRES THAN
RECOMMENDED COULD CAUSE DANGER THROUGH
SUDDEN DEFLATION.
WA R N I N G
WHEN CHANGING A WHEEL, MAKE SURE THAT THE VEHICLE CANNOT MOVE. ALWAYS APPLY THE
PARKING BRAKE AND SELE CT THE TRANSMISSION
PARK POSITION (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ONLY).
WA R N I N G
NEVER RUN THE ENGINE WITH ONE WHEEL OFF THE GROUND, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN CHANGING THE
WHEEL. THE WHEEL RESTING ON THE GROUND MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE.
WA R N I N G
ALWAYS TIGHTEN THE WHEEL NUTS TO
SPECIFICATION. TOO TIGHT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE,
TOO LOOSE MAY ALLOW TH E WHEEL TO BECOME
DETACHED.
WAR NI NG
DO NOT MIX DIFFERENT TY PES OF TYRES ON THE
SAME VEHICLE. HANDLING MAY BE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL.
WAR NI NG
USE ONLY WHEELS AND WHEEL NUTS SUPPLIED BY
ASTON MARTIN. AFTER MARKET WHEELS OR WHEEL
NUTS MAY NOT INSTALL OR FUNCTION CORRECTLY
AND COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DAMAGE.
Caution
When a new tyre is installe d, always renew the tyre
valve.

Road Wheels and Tyres (04.04)
Suspension (04.00)4-4-4 Workshop Manual May 2007
Winter (Snow) tyres
Winter tyres must only be installed in complete four-wheel
sets of the same type. The maximum speed with winter tyres
installed (without snow chains) is 210 km/h (131 mile/h) for
H rated tyres or 240 km/h (149 mile/h) for V rated tyres.
When using snow chains, note that:
• Snow chains must only be installed to the rear wheels
• Only Aston Martin snow chains should be used
• Snow chains must not be used on roads which are clear of snow
• The maximum speed with winter tyres and snow chains fitted is 48 km/h (30 mile/h)
• Traction control must be switched Off when using snow chains
Recommended Winter Wheel and Tyre
Combination
Unique Aston Martin lightweight aluminium alloy road
wheels.
Wheels
• Front - 8.5J x 18
• Rear - 9.5J x 18
Tyres
Pirelli 240 Snowsport
• Front - 225/45 R18 (95V)

Road Wheels and Tyres (04.04)
Suspension (04.00)
May 2007 Workshop Manual 4-4-5
Road Test
A tyre vibration diagnostic proc edure always begins with a road test. The road test and customer interview (if available)
will provide much of the information neede d to find the source of a vibration.
During the road test, drive the vehicle on a road that is smoot h and free of undulations. If vibration is apparent, note and
record the following:
• The speed at which the vibration occurs
• What type of vibration occurs in each speed range
• How the vibration is affected by changes in the following types of vibration-sensitivity:
Torque Sensitive - This means that the condition may be improved or made worse by accelerating, decelerating, coasting,
maintaining a steady vehicle speed or applying engine torque.
Vehicle Speed Sensitive - This means that the vibration always occurs at the same vehicle speed and is not affected by
engine torque, engine speed or the transmission gear selected.
Engine Speed Sensitive - This means that the vibration occurs at varyin g vehicle speeds when a different transmission
gear is selected. It may sometimes be isolated by increasing or decreasing engine speed with the transmission in NEUTRAL
or by stall testing with the transmission in gear. If the condition is engine speed sensitive, the cause is probably not relate d
to the tyres.
If the road test indicates that there is tyre whine, but no sh ake or vibration, the noise originates with the contact between
the tyre and the road surface.
A thumping noise usually means that the tyre has a flat or soft spot making a noise as they slap the roadway. Tyre whine
may be distinguished from axle noise. Tyre whine remains the same over a range of speeds.
Symptoms
SymptomPossible Source(s):Action(s)
Tyres show excess wear on
edge of treads Tyres under-inflated Correct pressure to specification.
Vehicle overloaded Correct as required.
Tyres show excess wear on
edge of treads (having the
correct tyre pressures) Incorrect toe setting Set to specification.
Tyres show excess wear in
center of tread Tyres over-inflated Correct pressure to specification.
Other excessive tyre wear
problems Incorrect tyre pressure Correct pressure to specification.
Incorrect tyre and wheel usage Install correct tyre and wheel combination.
Geometry out of alignm
ent Check and adjust.
Loose, worn or damaged suspension
components Inspect, repair or install new suspension
components as necessary.
Wheel and tyre assembly out of
balance Balance wheel and tyre assembly.
Excessive lateral or radial runout of
wheel or tyre Check, repair or install a new wheel or tyre as
necessary.
Wheel mounting is difficult Incorrect application or mismatched
parts, including wheel studs and wheel
nuts. Corroded, worn or damaged parts Clean or install new parts.
Wobble or shimmy affecting
wheel runout Damaged wheel (eventually damaging
wheel bearings and causing uneven
tyre wear) Inspect wheel rims for damage and runout.
Install a new wheel rim as necessary.
Excessive vibration, rough
steering or severe tyre wear Loose or incorrect attaching parts Tighten or install new parts.

Road Wheels and Tyres (04.04)
Suspension (04.00)4-4-6 Workshop Manual May 2007
Ty r e D a m a g e
Vehicle vibrations Tyres and wheels mismatched Install correct tyre and wheel combination.
Inflation pressure too high or too lo w Correct pressure to specification
Uneven tyre wear Refer to Diagnosis and Testing .
Out-of-balance wheel, tyre, wheel hub
or disc assembly Determine the out-of-balance component and
balance or install a new part.
Damaged or distorted wheel from road
impact hazard or incorrect handling Install a new wheel.
Excessive radial runout Install a new wheel or tyre. Check for incorrect wheel and tyre specifications.
Excessive lateral runout Install a new wheel or tyre.
Incorrectly seated tyre Remount the tyre.
Loose wheel mountings - damaged
wheel studs, wheel nuts, worn or
broken wheel hub face or foreign
material on mounting faces Tighten or install new parts. Clean mounting
surfaces.
Defective wheel bearings Install a new bearing set.
Brake disc imbalance
Water in tyres Remove water.
Loose engine or transmission mounts Install new mount nuts / install new mounts.
Incorrect front end alignment Align front end.
Loose or worn driveline or suspension
parts Repair or install new parts.
Excessive driveshaft runout or
imbalance Install a new driveshaft.
Worn or damaged flexible drive joint Install a new driveshaft.
Damaged wheel hub stud
threads Sliding wheel across the wheel studs
during installation. Loose wheel nuts
Install new wheel studs.
Broken wheel studs Loose or over tightened wheel nuts Install new wheel studs.
Corrosion and contamination
streaks from the wheel hub
wheel stud holes Loose wheel nuts Check complete assembly. Install new parts.
Damaged wheel nuts Loose wheel assembly Install new wheel nuts.
Over-tightened wheel nuts Install new wheel nuts.
Frozen wheel nuts Corrosion or galling If corrosion is light, wire brush away corrosion.
If corrosion is excessive install new wheel studs
and wheel nuts.
SymptomPossible Source(s):Action(s)
SymptomDescription
Age Deterioration Cracking and crazing of the tread and side wall rubber, sometimes accompanied by carcass
deformation. An indication that the tyres have been in service for a very long time.
Neglected Cut Damage through accidental cuts or penetrations will extend in use due to continued flexing and /
or ingress of moisture and road matter.
Impact Fracture Resultant damage from impact fractures is not always visible externally and, therefore, as a safety
precaution the tyre should be removed and examined.
Casing fracture caused by severe localized impact through driving over kerbs, hitting potholes
and / or objects in the road.
A double fracture caused by crushing the side wall of the tyre between an object and the rim
flange.
In both instances, such damage can lead to sudd en and dangerous tyre deflation some time after
the impact occurred.