jamiej 0 Posted September 4, 2008 I have just purchased some Eibach lowering ssprings and intent to fit them today. I have looked through the haynes manual and it seems a fairly simple job BUT ... are there any things i need to watch out for ? Also, to tighten (and loosen) the top of the strut, do i need any sort of special tool to hold the strut in place while i wind the nut off .. if you know what i mean, any help much appreciated. Many thanks Jamie on a slightly less important note, i am also changing the wishbones (again) and track rod ends, anyone suggest a suitable order for doing this to make life easier ?? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fox 3 Posted September 4, 2008 Changing springs is an easy enough job, dont forget you'll need some spring compressors if you dont want your head taking off! They can be got for about £15 from motor factors, or even halfarts. I dont know what the haynes manual says about removing the front strut, but I find it easier to remove the driveshaft nut and brakes, and take the whole hub and strut off the car at once. The shocker base tends to rust into the hub nicely. An impact wrench is ideal for the top nut, but a deep ring spanner 21mm (i think!) will do as long as its not all rusted up. On some shockers you can use an allen key to stop the strut turning, although I've seen them with torx and small bolt heads as well. With the track rod ends, you'll need to make sure they are the same length, then measure the distance or count the times it takes to wind them off. If your fitting lowering springs you'll need to get your tracking checked after anyway, infact it would be wise to get it done due to the new bottom arms aswell. Hope this helps! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
soap.mactavish 0 Posted September 4, 2008 (edited) Yes it a fairly easy job . you will need some spring clamps (you can get them from somewere like helfords for about £10/15) its a good idea to spray plenty of wd40 on all the bolts (best the night before hand to let it penitrate well) dont forget to spray the droplinks as they can be the worst ones for rusting up. do the wishbones ether before or after the springs (you will want the strut to be bolted on to hold the hub up). Prob best to get a balljoint spliter for this. (about £5/10) some times you can just shock them lose by slakening the nut off and hiting the hub at the side of were they go through with a hammer (but DO NOT start hiting the balljoint it will not help) and puting a bit of presure with a prybar at the same time. hope this helps Steve Edited September 4, 2008 by soap.mactavish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boombang 2 Posted September 4, 2008 I stripped down 3 sets of struts the other week to find three different sized nuts on the top. The best way by far is impact gun to get the nut off, makes it a lot easier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamiej 0 Posted September 11, 2008 Ok, thanks for your comments. All very handy ... im going to attack the job tommorow me thinks, may have to end up taking the legs to a garage to get the top mounts off. I do not have an air compresssor, or a 21mm cranked spanner ... Wish me luck !! Jamie Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
number2301 1 1 Cars Posted September 12, 2008 Just either buy the right sized spanner or you can also buy open backed ratchets. I'd always prefer to have the tools to do it myself if necessary than to take it somewhere else to do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CosKev 16 Posted September 13, 2008 I take mine to local Kwik Fit to get top nuts off,they take seconds with air gun.But can be a real pain the arse doing it yourself without damaging something A good tip I read on here for refitting the trailing arms is not to tighten the securing bolts up when the car is in the air It will twist the bushes when you drop the car back down onto its wheels. Tighten them up when car is back down on the wheels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
