Rupertfinch 6 Posted July 22, 2008 Bit of an issue trying to fit my new front shocks (so much so that I gave up for about 2 months!). I can seem to get the flippin things back in. If I tighten the coil springs enough then the tops of the compressors totally foul the suspension turret and won't go in. And if I don't tighten them then I can't get them to sit back in the hub. Damned if I do and damned if I don't. If anyone has any ideas - or knows of compressors that'll get round this (I'm using Sealey's) then please let me know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted July 22, 2008 put the compressors on the other way up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Thomson 6 Posted July 22, 2008 I've always fitted the spring to the strut with the strut removed from the car, and then reassembled with the spring compressors safely back in my tool box. Are you saying that without the spring compressed you can't get the bottom of the strut back into the hole in the hub carrier? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rupertfinch 6 Posted July 22, 2008 Firstly, If I put them the other way round then I can't get access to release them from their compressed state. Secondly, I've tried that but can't seem to get enough 'play' to get the struts back into the hub i.e. they bang off the side of the hub instead of going above and then dropping down in. Perhaps I'd better go and 'eats me spinach' as popeye would say. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted July 22, 2008 Firstly, If I put them the other way round then I can't get access to release them from their compressed state. err, confused with this, are you fitting them to the car before taking the compressors off?? Secondly, I've tried that but can't seem to get enough 'play' to get the struts back into the hub i.e. they bang off the side of the hub instead of going above and then dropping down in try loosening the inner wishbone bolts, don't remember having this trouble on a 205 though, 405 certainly because the struts and springs are soooo long! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted July 22, 2008 You can re-build the strut completely & remove the compressors before fitting the strut back onto the car, I can see why you'd have problems with them still fitted but even with standard springs you shouldn't have any problems getting the strut back into the hub once fully assembled imo. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rupertfinch 6 Posted July 22, 2008 I think I'm being a pansy - need to use a bit more raw strength me thinks. Will update later. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamichris 9 Posted July 22, 2008 i'm with pugtorque's advice mate, build the strut off the car then fit it all back on as a complete unit..thats what i've always done! compressors don't need to be on when you're putting it back onto the car so they should'nt be fouling anything Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rupertfinch 6 Posted July 22, 2008 Apologies for being a tit. Mark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KRISKARRERA 2 1 Cars Posted July 22, 2008 Had the same problem on my 405, and on trhe 405 they have to be compressed to get the strut back in hub. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamichris 9 Posted July 22, 2008 Apologies for being a tit. Mark happens to the best of us pal! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rupertfinch 6 Posted July 24, 2008 Well chaps, we all love a happy ending. Did I get one? Hmmmm Using the 'stop being a nancy and give it some rice' approach (and my old man's help) I managed to successfully fit the nsf shock (OE bilsteins, Skip brown springs, SKF bearings and BBM fast road top mounts mmmmmm). Nearly wet myself with excitement at how well it went. Even considered driving her up and down the street in celebration! But thought better of it. Then I figured, lets have a go at the drivers side, we know what we're doing now. Oh super! Hub carrier pinch bolt is jammed/wedged/bonded to the hub carrier minus the nut - that looks to have sheared off. Will it release? No. Plusgas? No. Drifting it out? No. BFH? No. Aaaahh! Reattach the wheel. It's off to my mechanic - he loves me, I pay his mortgage. Might as well give him new TRE's, and a full beam refurb while I'm at it. See you several hundred quid later... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pug_ham 244 3 Cars Posted July 24, 2008 Don't do it, if you have a decent metal punch & club hammer you can get the remains of the bolt out with a little hammering if you leave it to soak in plus gas over night. Cut the end of the bolt flush with the hub (or as near as you can) & with the car securely on an axle stand use the punch (as close to the size of the bolt as possible imo) to drive the reamins out. It might take some welly but it should move eventually. Thats all your mechanic will do imo except he might use some heat but that shouldn't be needed imo. Graham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted July 24, 2008 if you haven't got one already invest in a decent hammer, something like a 32oz Ball Pein hammer makes hitting stuff so much more effective. it annoys me greatly to see a claw hammer in an automotive toolbox!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niklas 1 Posted July 25, 2008 something like a 32oz Ball Pein hammer makes hitting stuff so much more effective. I prefer the sledge hammer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rupertfinch 6 Posted July 30, 2008 And so it continues... Now, I have managed to extract the drivers side strut and all associated gubbins. However, no matter how many different combinations of drifts I tried, I could not get the hub pinch bolt to move. It was holding on to horrid Spax dampers and I've a feeling that whoever put these on in the first place really did a bodge job. Firstly, the bolt is the 'wrong way round' on the hub carrier - according to autodata manual - that's why I couldn't get a socket or spanner to grip it's head. Secondly it's fully threaded and most probably the wrong size! So, I took a hacksaw to the bolt and managed to split it in the middle - Allowing me to open the hubcarrier to get the strut out. Now I'm left with 2 parts of a rusty bolt jamming up my hubcarriers. Any solutions would be greatfully appreciated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacey205 2 Posted July 30, 2008 Plusgas, blowtorch, a drift and a big hammer (not necessarily in that order ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamichris 9 Posted July 30, 2008 ^^^^^^ what he said! if that doesnt work then....try a bigger hammer having the hub off the car and in a vice would make life easier, but i've the same problem with my hubs, both sides! I have my hubs off so im hoping its easier anyway.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
