Strut Top Removal

[Jason]

I'm under the impression that normally you need a spring compressor to remove the strut tops, since there under load all the time. But do i still need one if i can adjust my coilovers so the spring is under NO tension?

 

Reason why is that the guy , when putting together these struts mismatched the hats, so the brakes face the other way. So i need to swap them over

Edited September 18, 2005 by Jason

[demuire]

Spring compressors are to compress the spring. If the spring is under no tension then there is nothing to compress.

[crazy_bunny]

if u can adjust it enough to make it not under tension thats the way to go. But most don't have that much adjustment.. it only cost like 15bucks for two spring clamps from autobahn..

[Jason]

Well i tried to get them off, and then the shock rotated with the bolt.... Is there some sort of tool i need?

[Super Jamie]

yes, a rattle gun

 

sometimes you can bolt the top plate to a bench or something and get it off that way, but it's a pain in the ass

[Jason]

I was thinking about bolting except the thing ways about as much as the car (you can lift stock one with one hand, i struggle to lift new one with two) and wont fit on my bench :)

 

there seems to be a notch on the top of the shock, see if any of my spanners fit it

Edited September 18, 2005 by Jason

[Felix]

the big nut on the end of the shock shaft, is easiest to loosen off before you even jack up the car. stops it rotating on you.

[Super Jamie]

judging from the last pics of jason's shell, i have the feeling it's a bit late for that :) it is a good idea tho. some people will tell you this is a bad idea, and you'll punch the strut through the bonnet, but if you look at the design of the top seat, this is physically impossible

 

the last one i did with a socket, i clamped some locking pliers to the top, stood on the pliers, laid the strut on the ground, and undid it that way. it took ages

 

nowadays i just take them to my roadworthy guy who does it with rattle gun for 5 bucks

 

i'm not sure how useful a battery powered rattle gun would be, it depends how tight the nuts are done up. the ones on my ke25 were done up in a tyre shop last, so they would have had a huge compressor and a good rattle gun. it took a long time for the nut to loosen using a 2.5hp compressor and $80 rattle gun

[Felix]

notice i said loosen, not totally undo.

 

do the final tightening after the struts are back in and the car is on the ground.

 

there will always be a next time....

 

if the strut is out of the car, you can always use a socket, breaker bar, and big f@$king hammer to shock it loose. this works..... easier to initially loosen off before you remove the struts though.

[Teddy]

hmmm, this calls for the extra extra large mofo bar (yes, we have an an extra extra large mofo bar, along with the extra large mofo bar, mofo bar and masssive mofo bar) :)

Edited September 18, 2005 by Teddy

[Jason]

trying to make that shell... not such a shell :pirate:

 

I WILL get these on tomorrow no matter what :)

[Medicine_Man]

Nah, rattle gun is the way to go, if you get stuck bring them up here, I've got spring compressors and the rattle gun to do it with :)

[Teddy]

^^ gota love professional upmarket backyard help - it pwns all :)

[Super Jamie]

if you're getting serious about building cars, a compressor and air tools is almost a must

[demuire]

With most coilover setups I've seen the only way is with rattle gun. Some coilover setups have something to hang on to (so the shock tube doesn't turn), but this is rather rare.