Removing struts

[KingStromba]

If i get the car on axle stands and remove both wheels

Then unbolt the two strut bolts on each side (whichbone will hang loose)

Then unbolt the top mount

Will the strut just come off then with spring attatched?

Anything im missing here?

[Mark_Ritchspeed]

Yep thats all there is to it. Although the struts may need a bit of light leverage to get them away from the hub fixings.

[northy]

if your struts are like mine....make sure you dont shear the hex key in the top of the strut when u undo the top mount nut.

[KingStromba]

What tools will i need?


Obviously a socket for the strust nuts. What about the top mount bolt?


Also, can i paint my hubs if i get them off and derust them? They are rusty and i want to clean them up.

Do hubs wear in any way? Or are they just solid metal chunks?

[northy]

everything wears rob....

as for the tools u need, have a look in the haynes manual and get yourself to halfords to get some tools.

spring compressors
hex socket
spanners
ring spanners

new nuts and bolts

[KingStromba]

I already have the new nuts and bolts and some spanners :P

[northy]

sorry i didnt know..... :roll:

[clowo16v]

Just wire brush the hubs off and paint them, but stick a ball of rolled up newspaper into the spline to stop paint getting in there. Oh and use loads of copperslip when reassembeling it makes taking it to bits next time a lot easier.

See ya

Matt

[KingStromba]

So for the time saved painting them, will it be easier just to buy new ones if they can wear?

[clowo16v]

No as they won't have worn barely at all in this amount of time. Buy some new ones and stick em in a cupboard somewhere, as I would have thought stuff like hubs etc will get hard to come by shortly.

See ya

Matt

[Lunner]

Wiull need a swan neck spanner to get teh tops off.

If they don't come off wiht moderate effort get an impact wrench on them, you can buy them for £50 from argos, or take it to a gaarge locally and get them to loosen them, and then do them up hand tight and take it easy going home.

If they are too tight, as Northy says you will **** the top of the strut

[MatBrown]

Yeah, nutgun is the best as the shock loosens it off but trying it with a rachet might just round it off.



Mat.

[Rajk]

I use a 21 or 22mm swan spanner and a torque bit with a ratchet, so you put on the spanner first then put in the torque bit and hold on. A good idea also is to wd40 them a day before to get the bugger off, I have changed suspension on numerous occaisions on my clio, willy and my bro's R19