replacing front strut top

[zuihoujueding]

suspecting the front strut top(driver side) is busted, causing knocking.

wondering if anyone have replaced it and how difficult is it?

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m3b0s10p365

[bduffman]

sure a suspention shop could put them on
guessing you would have compress them to get the nut on

i need to do the same thing with one of mine but lucky i still have my old ones i can swap over

[nikhan]

Yupz got it done before for 30 bucks at my mech. Pretty easy to do. If I can remember correctly, what he did was hoist the car up a little, remove tyre, loosen the pins so that the shocks are loose. Next u pop the bonnet and take out the old one. Pop the new one in and put everything back in place. Should be the correct way and if I missed something out please correct me. You do not need to meddle with the shocks itself. It was a very quick and easy job tat time and only took him about 30 mins tops. I don't remember him compressing anything. it just fit right in and bolted.

[zuihoujueding]

thanks guys...anymore input to confirm the procedure?

also advise if i can get them cheaper locally?

[vipfto]

Not quite like that

you need to remove the shock assembly (some may need to be compressed to remove nut safely) depends on how low your springs are

once removed can remove strut top from shock replace with new and then put all back together very simple and can do it yourself just need a $30 dollar pair of spring compressors

[dstocks]

OK, if you dont have spring compressors, you wont be able to do the job. Youll be able to get the strut topp off fine, but you wont be able to compress the spring to get the new one on. Ive dont this about 20 times now. Heres a basic procedure:

Remove the 2 bolts halfway up the shock. The hub should drop down.

Remove the clip holding on the brake line

Remove the 3 nuts on the top of the strut tower

Strut should come out now. At this point youll need spring compressors. You will need a wheel alignment after you put the strut back in

Hope this helps

[Bennoz]

Pictures:

http://ftoaustralia.com/v3/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=8761

[silverGPX]

Remove the shock+spring, take it to a suspension shop, say can u put this strut top on for me, $20-$30 later and 5 mins of their time you would have saved a lot of swearing time using spring compressors and you can continue on with your day.

[nikhan]

Hmmm...sorry for the slightly wrong info. But i didnt remember my mech taking off and compressing the springs. Anyway i think it wouldnt cost u an arm or leg to get that replaced by the mech.

[silverGPX]

lol so for the hours i spent compressing my springs to replace my strut tops was for nothing..

If you dont compress them youll get a strut hat and a bolt through your eye.