Shamrockez
16th March 2009, 20:40
Just a quick how to. I know I could have done with a couple of pointers before I had started so here I go. This is probably not a good job for the average Sunday mechanic.
Fronts
Start by removing the wiper blades (huh I thought we were doing springs)?
Remove the rubber bonnet seal and plastic trim below the wipers. Like all other things bug related this is just a case of pulling like mad and when you think it is just about to break, it comes off.
Jack up the car remove the front wheels and support the vehicle on stands but don't leave the stands under the front suspension, go for the jack points.
Now locate the top nylock nut on the strut tops, a 22mm socket appears to fit these the only issue is that the shockers will spin so you either need access to an air gun or use a spark plug socket and an allen key to remove this nut. (look further down the thread to see a piccy of this)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012076.jpg
With the nut removed take off the cup shaped washer/spacer underneath.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012081.jpg
Remove The cable fixed to the strut that feeds the brake ABS sensors
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012077.jpg
Now for the hard bit. Start off doing the passenger side because there is more leverage getting the strut out.
Remove the pinch bolt from the lower part of the strut (behind the brake disc) Drive in a small wedge in the gap to gain clearance. There is a special tool for doing this apparently but you don't need it just don't go mad, you don't want to break the hub. I used a chisel but like I said you don't need a great deal of clearance.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012083.jpg
Spray around the strut with WD40, then remove the lower torsion bar bolt. This requires a 16mm socket or spanner.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012082.jpg
Lever down on the bottom wishbone to gain more clearance, then with a hide mallet gently tap the widest point of the strut under the spring, the strut should start to move up out of the hub.
If you can't get enough clearance to get the strut out you might have to compress the spring with compressors to gain a little more clearance. (not for the faint hearted) When you do the drivers side this is a necessity. There isn't so much leverage on the drivers side. If you don't compress the spring a little you will have to remove more parts of the suspension to get it out. (I told you this was a little bit more than the average Sunday mechanic may be able to handle).
With the springs compressed you can now release the top strut retaining nut, again this will only be possible with an air gun or the method in the picture below.
This
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012089.jpg
or
this
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012090.jpg
Be careful at this point, observe which way the spacer underneath goes and also there is a bearing that you can split and grease to get rid of that awful creaky steering noise that has been bugging you.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012087.jpg
Spring compressed.
Now reassemble or replace with lowered springs. These will be easier to get back in the car as you will have more clearance. Reassemble the rest of the car using this process in reverse.
Back springs.
This is so easy it will only take 5 minutes (literally)
Jack up the back, leave sitting on axle stands, again not under the suspension. With a trolley jack supporting the rear beam in the centre, remove the shock absorber lower pinch bolts.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012084.jpg
Lower the jack.
The springs will pull out and can be replaced in a matter of 2nds. Take note of the rubber bush at the top.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012086.jpg
reassemble.
Fronts
Start by removing the wiper blades (huh I thought we were doing springs)?
Remove the rubber bonnet seal and plastic trim below the wipers. Like all other things bug related this is just a case of pulling like mad and when you think it is just about to break, it comes off.
Jack up the car remove the front wheels and support the vehicle on stands but don't leave the stands under the front suspension, go for the jack points.
Now locate the top nylock nut on the strut tops, a 22mm socket appears to fit these the only issue is that the shockers will spin so you either need access to an air gun or use a spark plug socket and an allen key to remove this nut. (look further down the thread to see a piccy of this)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012076.jpg
With the nut removed take off the cup shaped washer/spacer underneath.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012081.jpg
Remove The cable fixed to the strut that feeds the brake ABS sensors
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012077.jpg
Now for the hard bit. Start off doing the passenger side because there is more leverage getting the strut out.
Remove the pinch bolt from the lower part of the strut (behind the brake disc) Drive in a small wedge in the gap to gain clearance. There is a special tool for doing this apparently but you don't need it just don't go mad, you don't want to break the hub. I used a chisel but like I said you don't need a great deal of clearance.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012083.jpg
Spray around the strut with WD40, then remove the lower torsion bar bolt. This requires a 16mm socket or spanner.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012082.jpg
Lever down on the bottom wishbone to gain more clearance, then with a hide mallet gently tap the widest point of the strut under the spring, the strut should start to move up out of the hub.
If you can't get enough clearance to get the strut out you might have to compress the spring with compressors to gain a little more clearance. (not for the faint hearted) When you do the drivers side this is a necessity. There isn't so much leverage on the drivers side. If you don't compress the spring a little you will have to remove more parts of the suspension to get it out. (I told you this was a little bit more than the average Sunday mechanic may be able to handle).
With the springs compressed you can now release the top strut retaining nut, again this will only be possible with an air gun or the method in the picture below.
This
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012089.jpg
or
this
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012090.jpg
Be careful at this point, observe which way the spacer underneath goes and also there is a bearing that you can split and grease to get rid of that awful creaky steering noise that has been bugging you.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012087.jpg
Spring compressed.
Now reassemble or replace with lowered springs. These will be easier to get back in the car as you will have more clearance. Reassemble the rest of the car using this process in reverse.
Back springs.
This is so easy it will only take 5 minutes (literally)
Jack up the back, leave sitting on axle stands, again not under the suspension. With a trolley jack supporting the rear beam in the centre, remove the shock absorber lower pinch bolts.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012084.jpg
Lower the jack.
The springs will pull out and can be replaced in a matter of 2nds. Take note of the rubber bush at the top.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/Silverthang/R0012086.jpg
reassemble.