Shock absorbers

[MarkGSi]

The shock absorbers need changing on the front. L plate Super S. The shockers have never been off in 7 years. Are these likely to come off easily?, is it possible to get the top part of the strut off the car without removing the driveshaft, ball joint etc. Looks like its just those 2 nut / bolts then the top mount?

Many thanks

Mark

 

[karlj]

The suspension is really easy to remove
1, take off whichever wheel you need to
2, remove brake line clip (it's at the bottom of the strut)and move brake line out of your way
3, unbolt the two 12/13mm bolts at the top of the strut
4, unbolt the two 17mm bolts at the bottom where the strut attaches to the hub (these will be a pig if they've never been taken off before)
5, wiggle the bottom of the strut until it comes off the hub

 

[markbognor]

Thats the easy bit, then of course you'll have to dismantle the strut, which can be a pita. but there's loads of info around the site on how folk have used a rattle gun, swan neck spanner, homemade tool to hold the top nut and the shaft to undo. Put spring compressors on the spring first so that it doesn't all ping everywhere.

While you've got it in bits it would be a good oppertunity to introduce mr angle grinder to mr spring:laugh:

 

[martinb]

While you've got it in bits it would be a good oppertunity to introduce mr angle grinder to mr spring:laugh:

spreading the lows everywhere!!

 

[essexpunx]

Hardest part is usually removing the seized in bottom strut bolts, lots and lots of penetrating fluid and extension bar ftw

 

[MarkGSi]

Sorry for the late reply to this thread, ive been without internet connection for a while.

Many thanks for all your suggestions, will be tackling this job asap.