Easiest way to remove front struts?
#1
10K+ Poster!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: wolverhampton/ australia
Posts: 10,753
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
As above im changing to coilovers as im having issues with konis catching my tyres etc whats the easiest way to change the front struts? The rears are all done.
Time is short at the mo as have a show on Sunday which i really want to get to here in melb and iv still got shot loads to do lol
Time is short at the mo as have a show on Sunday which i really want to get to here in melb and iv still got shot loads to do lol
Trending Topics
#10
Carbon Crazy
iTrader: (5)
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
easiest cheat way is put the spring compressors on the spring in place in the arch. Compress it to fuck shortening the damper, then undo pinch bolt, bang in a chisel to widen slightly and tap with a hammer while using a long pry bar to lower the hub.
That way you leave the whole hub and ball joint in place and as youve shortened th strut using the compressors, you wont be overstretching anything.
Then same to put back with coilovers wound fully down. Refit and wind coilovers to where you want them and then lower.
If youre short on time you dont want to be fucking around removing 2 ball joints PER SIDE just to get the hub off. on most cars they are nicely rusted in place and most DIY ball joint seperators have a good chance of fucking the ball joint rubbers which is more hassle you dont need.
Only problem you can get with the above way i described is sometimes the rebound on the damper means you whack the hub and the damper just moves with it. if that happens just lever down hub then whack the damper on the spring cup upwards.
Oh preferably use a rubber mallet on anything you whack which you want the paintwork intact
That way you leave the whole hub and ball joint in place and as youve shortened th strut using the compressors, you wont be overstretching anything.
Then same to put back with coilovers wound fully down. Refit and wind coilovers to where you want them and then lower.
If youre short on time you dont want to be fucking around removing 2 ball joints PER SIDE just to get the hub off. on most cars they are nicely rusted in place and most DIY ball joint seperators have a good chance of fucking the ball joint rubbers which is more hassle you dont need.
Only problem you can get with the above way i described is sometimes the rebound on the damper means you whack the hub and the damper just moves with it. if that happens just lever down hub then whack the damper on the spring cup upwards.
Oh preferably use a rubber mallet on anything you whack which you want the paintwork intact
![Surprised](https://passionford.com/forum/images/smilies/bigcry.gif)
#12
Resident Wrestling Legend
iTrader: (3)
![Default](https://passionford.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
i'd go with warrens way if you want to be quick
but if you want to spend a bit of time then brakes off, steering off, hub out from the bottom ball joint (taper fit to it "should" slide out but if it don't you are fucked as the bolt needs to be replaced and remember not to undo it from the torx side but only the nut) and then get everything out onto a bench to you can then go about splitting the hub from the strut
plenty of space to work on stuff too unless you are doing it on a ramp, in which case on the car is easiest
don't forget to unclip the abs wire from inside the engine bay if you are doing the whole hub/strut off thing
but if you want to spend a bit of time then brakes off, steering off, hub out from the bottom ball joint (taper fit to it "should" slide out but if it don't you are fucked as the bolt needs to be replaced and remember not to undo it from the torx side but only the nut) and then get everything out onto a bench to you can then go about splitting the hub from the strut
plenty of space to work on stuff too unless you are doing it on a ramp, in which case on the car is easiest
don't forget to unclip the abs wire from inside the engine bay if you are doing the whole hub/strut off thing
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
track.focus'd
Restorations, Rebuilds & Projects.
26
12-08-2015 05:53 PM