suspension replacing problem

zuihoujueding · Post by **zuihoujueding** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:41 am

Finally, i got my orders:
full set of kyb excel-g shocks, full set of lowered king springs.

printed out the DIY section for replacing shocks/springs and plan to start with the rear as it looks simpler. but im stuck with the 1st step. could not untighten the centre nut. supposed to hold the top flat part while unscrewing the centre bolt. it was so tight that it broke my spanner. sprayed some WD-40 and still dosent work.

Gave up and went to the front. while jacking up, saw s piece of yellow foam came loose. I supposed that is the bump stop. It was brittle as hell and the rest of the piece was stuck right at the top inside the boot cover.
And i discovered the area between the springs are pretty worn out due to rubbing between the coils. Khunjeng said the spring wrap should solve the problem.
seems like i need more stuffs: spring wrap, bumpstop, a strip of foam in between the sprin and strut. so i stop work. only did a tyre rotation from rear to front.

so can anyone suggest anywhere to source these parts? And a way to loosen the centre nut at the rear?

Post by **vipfto** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:24 pm

try dstock for the parts
as for the nut dont strip it! either use a proper hex socket not a spanner

or some pipe tongs just dont be to tough as it is a fairly soft metal esy to strip then you just open up more problems and parts

also may need to use extension or bar for leveradge if still too tight just dont use spanner

Post by **I8A4RE** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:09 pm

I hope your using spring compressors?? As for the nut we used to use rattle guns to remove them. If you dont have one of theose then your going to need a long bar and maybe some pipe.

jonowong · Post by **jonowong** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:34 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MACH-4HP-ELECTRI ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-17PCS-1-2-IM ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2PC-H-D-COIL-SPR ... dZViewItem

zuihoujueding · Post by **zuihoujueding** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:03 pm

vipfto wrote:try dstock for the parts
as for the nut dont strip it! either use a proper hex socket not a spanner or some pipe tongs just dont be to tough as it is a fairly soft metal esy to strip then you just open up more problems and parts

also may need to use extension or bar for leveradge if still too tight just dont use spanner

i got the nut firmly gripped with a spanner. the problem is the top flat part of the shock, which is supposed to be held to stop the shock from turning. The surface area of the flat part is so small and its hard to get a firm grip on it...

zuihoujueding · Post by **zuihoujueding** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:09 pm

jonowong wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MACH-4HP-ELECTRI ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-17PCS-1-2-IM ... dZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/2PC-H-D-COIL-SPR ... dZViewItem

i do have springs compressors, but do i need to compress the springs to untigten the bolt?
OMG...another few hundreds to spend? im staying in an apartment with a basement garage and i dont think the building management is going to let me use the noisy air compressor.

nikhan · Post by **nikhan** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 7:34 pm

U only need to use the spring compressors when u are removing the spring from the shocks. Prob need an air compressor to remove the bolts. If not y done u go over to those hardware store and get those electric ones.

zuihoujueding · Post by **zuihoujueding** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:22 pm

again, the problem is to hold the bolt firmly while turning the nut.

Post by **dstocks** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:44 pm

Yeah, ive had that problem before. The shock shaft spins rather than the nut loosening off. A rattle gun may be your only option im afraid. Once youve cracked it, you will need the spring compressor though or you may do yourself or your car some serious damage. Oh and soak the nut in some WD40 or similar a half hour before having another shot at it. That may help loosen it up

Post by **I8A4RE** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:55 pm

Haha yeah sorry buddy i forgot to tell you.

If your replacing the shocks then all you need to do, is use a set of vice grips. Insert them at the top of the tower through the gap in the springs. That will stop the shaft from spinning

zuihoujueding · Post by **zuihoujueding** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:57 pm

Thanks....will pick up the mood to tackle the nut again with WD-40. By the way, you have any offer on bumpstop and coil wrap?

Post by **dstocks** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:22 pm

If you are going to use vice grips, be careful not to mark the shaft of the shock. That will cause leaking in the long run

zuihoujueding · Post by **zuihoujueding** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:10 pm

is that how you guys do it? im not sure but if using a vice grip on the shaft , will risk damage the surface of the shaft and its a nono. Furthermore, the shaft is round, how to get a good grip?

Post by **I8A4RE** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:01 am

First off i thought your replacing the shock??????

Second if your not replacing the shock just use a rag then place vice grips on. They should only be tight enough to stop the spinning. Also ensure you are as high as you can be on the shaft.

Mate, i was a mechanic with the about 15 other guys working for nissan and i have never seen anybody damage one of those shafts. But if you dont feel comfortable doing that take it to a mechanic who may charge you $20 to remove the bolts for you.

DaveO · Post by **DaveO** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:14 pm

If your replacing shocks and springs you don't need to do that nut. Just remove the hole assembly.

Post by **I8A4RE** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:35 pm

bahahah yeah totally

Post by **Bennoz** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:56 pm

Well no, you need to re-used the strut top, bushes & crush tube, bump stop & rubber spring seats off the old strut .Ya dont get that when you buy new shocks or springs.

zuihoujueding, pull the whole assembly out, put your spring compressors on & compress the spring so that it no longer puts any upward pressure on the strut top, then lock a shifter onto the square lug a top the shaft & then undo the top nut. You'll find that without the spring pressure on the underside of the strut top, the pressure on the nut will drop allowing you to get it off.

I would never advise anyone to put vice grip plyers onto the shaft... even with a rag

Post by **I8A4RE** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:10 pm

Bennoz wrote:Well no, you need to re-used the strut top, bushes & crush tube, bump stop & rubber spring seats off the old strut .Ya dont get that when you buy new shocks or springs.

zuihoujueding, pull the whole assembly out, put your spring compressors on & compress the spring so that it no longer puts any upward pressure on the strut top, then lock a shifter onto the square lug a top the shaft & then undo the top nut. You'll find that without the spring pressure on the underside of the strut top, the pressure on the nut will drop allowing you to get it off.

I would never advise anyone to put vice grip plyers onto the shaft... even with a rag

Yes, you do need to re use them

well you have also never worked as a mechanic

Post by **Bennoz** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:32 pm

I8A4RE wrote:well you have also never worked as a mechanic

Mechanical engineer to be precise. Im the guy that designed all the bits you're fumbling about with, trying to replace

Post by **I8A4RE** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:37 pm

Mechanical engineer to be precise. Im the guy that designed all the bits you're fumbling about with, trying to replace

Exactly that proves my point