Replacing Struts
| Suspension | |
The struts form the main structure of the front suspension. For removal or replacement of any of the front suspension components, we recommend removing the entire front leg as a unit, so that it can be dismantled on the ground. Here's how to get 'em off.
Contents
Removal
1. Loosen but do not remove the 17mm nut on the top of the front struts while the car is on the ground.
2. Raise the front of the car and put on axle stands.
3. Remove the wheels.
4. Using a scissor type ball joint splitter, disconnect the track rod end.
5. Using a scissor type ball joint splitter, disconnect the wishbone from the bottom of the strut.
6. Remove the brake caliper.
7. Disconnect the front ARB. This will give you more room to get the strut out.
8. Have someone support the strut while you remove the three 13mm nuts holding the strut to the turret under the bonnet.
9. Remove the strut from the car
10. Compress the spring.
11. Remove the 17mm top nut from the strut. This is the trickiest part of the job since you need to grip the shock rod at the same time. There are a number of options for you:
- a. Creative use of tools. You need a 1/4" socket extension through the middle of a 17mm ring spanner, possibly using a 17mm tall socket as well.
- b. Again, small and big sockets working together, but this time with mole grips.
- c. Using an air gun to "shock" the nut off the rod.
- d. Paying your local mechanic to do it with his own tools.
Components
1. Disassemble the strut, making a note of the order everything came off.
2. If you are changing the shock, unscrew the collar nut. I use a pair of big stilsons here. Lift the insert out and upend the strut to drain out any cooling oil.
3. Follow the insert supplier's advice regarding the addition of cooling oil, and fit the new insert.
4. Use the shiny new retaining collar, as the old one will have been destroyed getting the bugger out.
Refitting
1. Ensure that the upper and lower spring rubber pads are serviceable and located correctly.
2. Compress the new spring and fit correctly, with the end of the bottom coil in the step.
3. Re-fit the upper components in the correct order,making sure that the top of the spring is properly seated.
4. Re-fit the top mount and the 17mm nut. Turn this down until the insert turns.
5. Remove the spring compressors
6. Re-fit the strut to the car.
7. After getting the car sat on its wheels,fully tighten the top strut nut.
