Changing Shocks and struts

[desy]

So any site with the procedure?
A guy at work is talking me into doing it myself, not something I've ever done before but he has so if I can get the process I might take the challenge.

Also is it better to rent the spring compressor or just take the assy to a shop and get them to do it for you?

 

[NaOH]

No idea where to get the process. But, I'd go ahead and rent the spring compressor. It was 50 bucks for me to get a shop to compress two springs. I rented a compressor for springs that wouldn't fit on the compressor (I had lowering springs).

 

[PottedMeat]

I bet you could get a spring compressor for pretty cheap ( <$50 ) at Harbor Freight - after all you're only going to use it like 8 times right?

edit:

here it is $12.99

http://www.harborfreight.com/c...em.taf?Itemnumber=3980

 

[desy]

Nice
Good excuse to buy a tool!
No hits on the procedure yet eh?

 

[RiverDog]

Here's what you need to do. Best bet is to buy a book, the spring compressor, beer, and bandages for the banged up fingers you gonna have.



MacPherson Struts
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
NOTE: Do not begin this procedure unless a new front axle wheel hub nut, a new lower arm ball joint pinch bolt and nut, and a new tie rod and knuckle nut and cotter pin are available. Once removed, these parts must not be reused during assembly. Their torque holding ability, or retention capability, is diminished during removal.


Turn the ignition switch OFF and place the steering column in the unlocked position.
Loosen but do not remove the 3 front strut-to-tower nuts.
WARNING
Do not raise the vehicle by the lower arms.


Remove or disconnect the following:
Front wheel
Caliper and suspend it out of the way using a piece of wire
NOTE: The hydraulic brake system will need to be bled if the brake hose is removed from the caliper.


Rotor
Axle hub nut
Wheel bearing and knuckle as an assembly
Tie rod end from the front wheel knuckle
WARNING
Use extreme care to not damage the ball joint boot seal.


Stabilizer bar link from the lower arm
Lower arm-to-front wheel knuckle pinch bolt and nut. Discard them.
Lower arm from the knuckle
Speed sensor bracket and speed sensor from the front wheel knuckle
Strut-to-front wheel knuckle pinch bolt

Fig. 1: Exploded view of the MacPherson strut and related components




Knuckle and wheel hub assembly from the front strut
The 3 front strut mounting bracket-to-strut tower nuts and remove the front strut assembly from the vehicle.
To install:

Install or connect the following:
Front strut assembly and tighten the strut-to-strut tower mounting bolts hand-tight.
Knuckle and wheel hub assembly
New strut-to-wheel knuckle pinch bolt and tighten to 85?97 ft. lbs. (115?132 Nm).
Halfshaft into the wheel hub
Lower arm, ensuring that the ball stud groove is properly positioned.
New pinch bolt and nut. Tighten to 46?52 ft. lbs. (62?71 Nm).
Knuckle making sure the front stabilizer bar link is properly positioned.
NOTE: The words "top left-hand" and "top right-hand" are molded into the stabilizer bar link for correct assembly reference.


New stabilizer link nut and tighten to 66?74 ft. lbs. (90?100 Nm).
Tie rod to the front wheel knuckle. Tighten the new tie rod castellated nut to 66?74 ft. lbs. (90?100 Nm).
Front brake anti-lock sensor and bracket on the knuckle
Rotor
Wheels
Tighten the 3 strut mounting bracket-to-strut tower bolts to 25?30 ft. lbs. (35?40 Nm).
Lower the vehicle and tighten the front axle wheel hub nut to 170?202 ft. lbs. (230?275 Nm).
Check the wheel alignment.

 

[Thump553]

Be very careful. A neighbor badly mashed his hand when his spring compressor slipped. Also, make sure someone is around to hear your calls for help (not kidding-he was the only one home at the time).