Well, i just wanna make sure i have everything down before I attempt this. I get the dissembling or assembling the strut assemblies ones its off the car.
Im a bit confused as far the rear goes, so it should simply unbolt the shock attaching it to the rotor assembly(the big bolt) and then unbolt the bolts on the top that look like the strut mounts in the front? Also I dont get what to do with the top of the shock where the white part is does it just stick up there and not need special bolting. Can someone confirm that?

2. The only special tool I need is a spring compressor but i hear the stock spring doesnt have a lot of tension.

2 1/2. torque values?? Are there actually values or is it just a tighten (seems a bit odd)
3. how do you guys lift the car on jack stands, I just used the jack that came with car when i did the brakes, but that seems a bit unsturdy to do this job.

 

Judging from your questions, it sounds like you might want to enlist the help of a buddy...
Any jack can be used to jack the car up to place the jack stands under tge car, then eemoved...a basic hydrolic jack (lowprofile), or driving the car onto a 2x6 laying on its side, the a regular hydrolic jack is fine...but the jack ONLY HOLDS THE CAR UP TILL YOU PLACE JACK STANDS UNDER THE CAR.....

 

Wow haha that make feel like i asked a stupid question, in my defense its my first car, so scratch one question.

 

Naw...
Not trying to make you feel bad, just trying to keep you safe, and saving you a trip with a towtruck...
A set of ratchet straps can be used to compress the springs....but as a starting diy, shocks/struts might not be a good start...it is very nice to have an airgun to get corroded bolts off, and you must still get the car to an alignment shop when done....
Jack stands are prettt cheap...but don't try to work on a jacked car unless you use one....even the flimsy oem jack is kinda dangerous to use for even a brake job sitting up close without a set of stands to take tge weight....the plastic in the half scissor jack just makes me wonder when it will snap....

 

You are going to want to review this post:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ll-how-to.html

The same procedure works for shocks or springs. This guy covers everything you need. You are going to want to read the whole post as there are some "short cuts" that are listed like using a spark plug socket and allen wrench to tighted the nut on the top of the strut.

 

If you've ever seen a car fall off of a jack, it definitely drives home the point of not working on a car using a jack only. It happens in the blink of an eye and getting away from it quickly enough is not a risk worth taking. Jackstands are a cheap worthwhile investment if you plan on doing work yourself.

 

Ahh thanks thats a load of help yeah It just seemed like a hassle to go out and get the tools to jack on stands but safety first , actually that makes me think are the Powerflex Rear Trailing arm bushing and the upper shock mount worth it im already under there.

 

Once you get a decent race jack and floor stands you will ask how to get the floor stands on the lift points while the jack is in the way. Here is the how to:
http://www.blimeycabrio.com/?s=how+a+stud&x=12&y=10
Also useful when rotating tires, cleaning the undercarraige and any other work like swaping out struts, sway bars and such.

 

hallo and good luck

 

Thanks, looking more into this, its at 100k im starting to wonder if i need upper shock bushings for the rear and the front, plus is the alternative for that 21 mm bmw strut tool.

 

Keep it safe! Can't say that I could help with the install of your shocks as I havn't reached that part of my moding yet. But I do have 2 complete sets of jack stands and your more than welcome to borrow a pair, or set if you want to put the whole car up. Just a short time ago, as reported on the news, somebody out Danbury way, was working on his car using a tire jack, the car fell, and killed him! I'm in Cheshire,Ct. PM me if you need the jack stands.

 

See this post:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-how-to-2.html
to see how this is done. As for the 21 mm strut tool, use a 13/16 spark plug socket and an 8 mm allen wrench...see post #47