Lowering - Front strut help

[dookified]

Right, I know what I'm doing with lowering my C but just want some in depth advice about the front struts as the tutorials seem a bit patchy over the fronts!

SOOOoooo... Loosen screw on the top of the strut then undo the two bolts at the bottom then when they are undone undo top bolt completely and it comes out...

Then with the springs compressors I take it you slowly wind down the spring so you can remove the top cap then remove the spring still in the compressors then gently release the springs... then put the new springs in the compressors and slide them back over the strut... put top cap back on and do up tight then slowly unwind the compressors out to sit tight?

I think that makes sense but just wanted to double check :)

Thanks :D

[dookified]

bump

[David]

yep pretty much that mate

don't need the compressor to put new spring in

[dookified]

Ah right :)

Just wanted to make sure since one tutorial does say 'CAREFUL - DEATH'

Any other tips and hints? Like the dangerous bits or things that randomly drop off etc... don't want to damage my car... or me :S

[ka$h]

Ah right :)

Just wanted to make sure since one tutorial does say 'CAREFUL - DEATH'

Any other tips and hints? Like the dangerous bits or things that randomly drop off etc... don't want to damage my car... or me :S

As long as you compress the OE spring and gently release it there aint a problem. Other dangerous bits include the car falling off the jack etc that's normal in 'wheel off' situations.

K

[David]

nothing will fall off

the torsion bar (think thats the name) is a little hard to get back in just mind your fingures

[dookified]

Where is the torsion bar? Is that where some of the bolts go in when you have to jack it back up to meet the gap?

[dookified]

Also, on top of this... when I have lowered it, is it a good idea to pop it to a garage to make sure it's all aligned properly and so on :)

[David]

yes let it settle for a couple of weeks then 4 wheel alignment

[MartoSRI]

I done my backs fine but i cant get the bolts off for the brake assmebly for nothing, i have tried every tool i own:err:

[dookified]

Oops... haven't you got a long arm wrench you could borrow? That'll get it off... or a bit of WD40 on it?

[MartoSRI]

I went out and bought a wrench especially for it, covered it in wd40 as well they wont budge at all. i dunno what to do

[dookified]

Hmm pop it into a garage by the sounds of.. if all else fails... they'll only charge about 30-40 quid for the fronts?

I got quoted 55 for fronts and backs... so shouldnt be totally unreasonable

[MartoSRI]

I know jus a bit of a pain cos went a bought axle stands and spring compressors and its only an 04 plate so would have thought should come off fine, i give up though my hands are cut to buggery they kill

[David]

yep that will do it, need leaverage

[dookified]

Have you tried jiggling the brake assembly a bit as you undo it? Might be because there is pressure on the bolts making it hard to undo?

Just an idea... not sure if it's right!

[David]

that wouldn't do anything

[dookified]

Ah well, you tried swearing and kicking it a bit? Sometimes works!

[David]

are you turning it the right way

[MartoSRI]

I have tried turning the wheels so gives diff angles but dont help still, dont fancy kicking it to much when its on axle stands and shocks are loosened lol

[MartoSRI]

Am i turnin it the right way i like that 1 lol

[dookified]

'Is the appliance plugged in? What kinda of question's that? Of course it's fuc... oh, bugger'

You never know ;) Sounds like a evil Jedi forces holding it on or something :S

[David]

Am i turnin it the right way i like that 1 lol
i'm serious, you turning the bolts the right way

[dookified]

lol, think he's gone to have a check :D

[MartoSRI]

Course i am i got the anti roll bar one off

[David]

don't need to remove anti roll bar

you using a spanner each side

[MartoSRI]

Well it aint movin it both sides if thats what ur thinkin, it wont budge at all. I think im gonna have to give up and take to garge but its such a pain when i went and bought all the tools for it, and dont understand how they wont move at all

[dookified]

Sell all the tools off on ebay :) Then you end up with it all done and not so much out of pocket :D

[Uber-Smee]

what u need as a nice air gun like i went and got for it, does the job nicely, push on, press button of pop's bolt. job done in 1 & 1/2 hours

[EPIPHANY]

don't need to remove anti roll bar

you using a spanner each side

why??? but it would stil be connected???