http://www.ebay.com/itm/120676194140...84.m1438.l2649

 

Are you talking about taking the strut assembly out of the car? If so no special tools.

If you are talking about removing the spring from the strut assembly, you need a spring compressor. And be very careful as the spring is under tension and when it pops ...

That is not the tool that I have used to compress springs. I believe harbor freight carries a similar one that l have used.

 

I'll have to reread the manual but I thought the ball joints needed to be separated, to pull the strut.

 

Removing the front strut is simple and requires no special tools.

1. Pull brake line/sensor wires off strut assembly
2. Unbolt sway bar endlink
3. Remove bolt on the back of the steering knuckle that clamps the bottom of the strut
4. Persuade knuckle off strut (may require vigorous hammering)
5. Remove the three strut tower nuts

Done

 

JPMM, perhaps you are calling something a strut that is not the same as my defination.

Creeve's procedure works for the front strut removal.

 

thanks

 

I just performed this last night.. rear too. The spring compressor is a must have. Got mine from Amazon.

 

how did the rear go?

 

You can also "rent" (at no cost) a spring compressor from most auto parts stores.

 

Rear was easier than the front. 3 Bolt... 2 on the top of the strut and one larger on the bottom.

Having an impact will help this greatly as you can remove the nut on the top of the strut without having to use the 5mm allen wrench.

 

Do not use an impact gun on the top nut of the rear strut. That is just asking for problems. The shaft on the rear strut is very light weight and can snap. This is more likely to happen with coilovers that have dampening adjustment, but still not worth it.



Also don't use an impact on the lower mount of the rear strut. It is threaded into the trailing arm which is aluminum. Its very easy to strip the threads on the trailing arm.

 

I 'rented' the spring compressor from Advance auto. you buy the $35 tool, then get a refund within 90 days when you return it. With lowering springs, you won't need the compressor, but you will if you put the stock springs back on.

I reccomend that you swap the bump stops, before ditching the springs.

http://www.waymotorworks.com/bump-stops.html

When I put my TSW springs on, I kept the stock bump stops on the factory sport shocks. The ride was harsh, with little travel before getting really stiff. I swapped the sport shocks for regular 'Cooper S' shocks, and swapped the bump stops. I don't bottom the car, and the ride is significantly better.

If that doesn't work, I have a set of NM springs that I would let you try, before you go the Ohlins route.

I have pulled the springs a couple of times, it is very straightforward. If you have any questions, let me know.

Have fun,
Mike

 

To the op, that looks like a tool to remove the ball joint.

 

I thought I had to knock them apart to get out the front strut