I have two tips for when you get ready to disassemble your front struts and springs.

Firstly you'll need a good pair of coil spring compressors. I found that Murray's Auto Parts will let you buy them, and then bring them back for a full refund. When they told me this I thought for sure they thought I was born just last night. But no, they say they do that all the time. So I got my coil spring compressors.

Secondly, you'll need a "special" socket to get the top plate off the strut. (I found this out after I had the strut and spring on the workbench). By "special" I mean it needs to have three attributes....1) a 13/16 socket, 2) a hole in the center for your 6mm allen, and 3) a 7/8 hex cap.

I thought I was snookered until I remembered the "old" spark plug sockets! I found one (actually 2) that fit the bill in the tool box....a little cutting here....a little cutting there....and viola! My very own "special" socket. (thank goodness for a sawzall)

Here's a couple of pics......





As you can see from the pics I used the one that was completely open in the hole so that the 3/8s drive 6mm allen would fit.

Worked like a charm btw.

.....Les

 

Man I love when folks invent their own tools. I have an old fart mechanic friend who has a whole drawer dedicated to various frankentools. Yep he has a long story for each one.

So tell us about your springs & struts Les. What's up?

 

Hi Chuck. Well, mine have (had) 43k miles on them. I bought a full set of '05s with 5 miles on them last fall. So, to my way of thinking, 5 miles was better (?) than 43k miles so I swapped them. Took about 4 hours or so, was actually fun and didn't swear once!

You know how it is....give an old gear head some tools and parts and something's gonna happen!

....Les

 

you dont really 'need' that socket. you can crack loose the piston shaft
nut while it's still on the car, then use a regular socket, drop a allen hex
in the center and use channellocks to turn the socket.

 

This is what I did. Also you don't need a spring compressor. Either the buddy method or just let it up slowly. By the time the nut is ready to come off there isn't much tension on the spring.

 

First thing.....Wow!!! Glad you survived.

My advice to all who plan to do struts & springs would be to use the proper tools for the job. A spring compressor. IMO you were very lucky not to have knocked your head off. There is a lot of energy stored in those compressed springs. I refer to that job as defusing the bombs.

 

Aye, I'm with you Chuck. I did enough of that other stuff in my early days and have learned a couple tough lessons.

...Les

 

i've done it with... and without a spring compressor... very little difference with each. I'd guess there isn't more then 50 lbs of force on the oem spring by the time it's ready to come off the strut.

From most of the mini mechanics i've talked to they don't use them. Matter of fact after watching spring installs @ the dragon... I'm definitly not the only one that does it this way.

Oh well... I guess it justs gets easy after the 5th time or so. :impatient

p.s. I do have a spring compressor in the tool box... you can buy them at harbor freight for 14.99.

 

Ahhhh, I just love Harbor Freight. I got my compressor on sale for $8.99.