Strpipping Down Suspension Legs

[cliffybabe]

Guys

I got a set of Mtec shocks off Martinaston (top bloke)

And the front legs were still a complete unit so far I have removed the brake disc and calpiers.

Once i compress the springs down and remove the top mount and spring how does the shock come out from the leg does it unscrew or something??

Sorry if its a dum question but its buging me

Once there out im gonna give them a good clean up and them fit them ont he cab.

Thanks for your help

Neil

[aus325]

Check here Neil, scroll down to step 11. You need to remove the big screw-in collar (can be a bit difficult to get off).

http://www.e30tech.com/articles/suspension/front/

Hope it helps you




Paul.

[jokipea]

As aus325 says it can be difficult to loosen the collar nut holding in the insert. All my efforts failed until I resorted to extreme violence.If strut is still on car slacken but do not remove the nut on the end of the strut as the weight of car helps to stop the piston-rod turning. Take the strut off car, then after removing the spring and top-mount bolt the wheel back onto the hub. Lay the wheel flat on the ground ( I did it on the grass to protect wheel ), fit tightly a big set of stilsons onto collar-nut and hit the stilsons with the biggest hammer you can find. I used a mash-hammer with a 3ft shaft, the collar-nuts don't resist for long with this treatment, they aren't reusable after this but new ones come with new the strut inserts. Hope this helps.

[DRIFTBOY]

Nothing is a dumb question if your'e not sure dude!

If you have access to a bench vice then you could also do it the way I do.

Clamp the leg in the vice and with a sharp chisel and a club hammer, a bit of hard beating should remove (and probably mangle) the collar nut.
The shock just slides out then.

The above suggestions are also all valid, it just depends what tools you have available.

I tightened my new nuts with a pair of stillsons, with the leg in a vice.

Good luck!

[gareth]

once you fit the new shocks (and new retainers) check the shock is totally tight in the housing. mine were a bt loose after i fitted the konis as they must have been a mm shorter and the (old!!!) retainers i used bottomed out on their rusted threads. they were bloody tight but not clamping the actual shock body i got a horrible knocking like this but i managed to tighten them in-situ with a set of 18" water pump pliers

[cliffybabe]

Cheers Guys ill be giving this ago this afternoon, thanks for your help

Neil