shock/strut installation

[jmortensen]

I expected that response. Every time I mention this I get a bunch of flak. Don't worry, I won't take it personally... So just out of curiosity, did you do the math??? ;-)

[Jayru]

jmortensen, so you're saying just let the control arm come down slowly with a floor jack after you have removed the nut from inside the car correct? Will this work for both the front/rear?

That's the way i imagined i'd do it. So there's enough play to swing the arm down far enough to get the spring off the strut while it's still atached to the arm? Do you have to disconnect the brake lines, axels, etc?

[LanceM]

You miss my point, the inexperienced won't do the math, "I did it on my Z I can do it on the wife's car" will be their thought. Maybe the wrong decision and bam injury... I just wanted to point out that you have to be careful on forums like this, some take the replies here as gospel and apply it everywhere, whether it is good advice or not. I do things all of the time that are not "safe" but it is my decision, my level of acceptable risk, and I would never recommend someone else doing it because my level of acceptable risk might be much higher than theirs or my equipment different changing the risk level.

Just as an example, you say zip it off, with an air impact? What if some poor soul does it with a box end wrench?? There's a lot less steel and a lot more hand in the way of that spring that weighs?? and is moving forward how fast??

And to answer your question, no I didn't do the math but after doing mine with a compressor, which was a PIA, and now knowing the compressed strenght of the spring I would probably tie them up as compressed and zip them off with an impact but I would never recommend it, someone else's injury following my advice is beyond my acceptable risk level

[240ZX]

I've got the best idea!!!! Let Tomohawk do it.....he's the expert on this subject. Yah, who needs a spring compressor, they're for whimps....be a man and take a chance at dismembering yourself. Safety....we don't need no stinking safety!!!

[jmortensen]

jmortensen, so you're saying just let the control arm come down slowly with a floor jack after you have removed the nut from inside the car correct? Will this work for both the front/rear?

That's the way i imagined i'd do it. So there's enough play to swing the arm down far enough to get the spring off the strut while it's still atached to the arm? Do you have to disconnect the brake lines, axels, etc?

It's been a long time since I've done them on the car, but you can loosen the nuts, then jack the car up. You'll need to disconnect the brake lines front and rear, and the halfshafts in the back, and the swaybar(s). Then you just pull loosen the three nuts that hold the strut hat on, and drop the whole suspension down so that the strut hangs out the fender. Then pull the springs off and put the hat back on and bolt it up again inside the car. Now you have the gland nut easily accessible and you can wrench on it really good (they're usually VERY tight). Then when you break them loose, disconnect again inside the car, pull the strut out and you can unscrew the gland nut and pull the insert out. If you're putting on a shorter aftermarket spring you don't need a spring compressor since they're loose with the hat on anyways.

You miss my point, the inexperienced won't do the math, "I did it on my Z I can do it on the wife's car" will be their thought. Maybe the wrong decision and bam injury... I just wanted to point out that you have to be careful on forums like this, some take the replies here as gospel and apply it everywhere, whether it is good advice or not. I do things all of the time that are not "safe" but it is my decision, my level of acceptable risk, and I would never recommend someone else doing it because my level of acceptable risk might be much higher than theirs or my equipment different changing the risk level.

Just as an example, you say zip it off, with an air impact? What if some poor soul does it with a box end wrench?? There's a lot less steel and a lot more hand in the way of that spring that weighs?? and is moving forward how fast??

And to answer your question, no I didn't do the math but after doing mine with a compressor, which was a PIA, and now knowing the compressed strenght of the spring I would probably tie them up as compressed and zip them off with an impact but I would never recommend it, someone else's injury following my advice is beyond my acceptable risk level

Well, that's fair enough. Let me put it a different way then: I wouldn't recommend that any of YOU do this, but that's how I do it every time.

[LanceM]

Well, that's fair enough. Let me put it a different way then: I wouldn't recommend that any of YOU do this, but that's how I do it every time.

Fair enough!

[bpilati]

I read all of this with great interest. The springs can be removed without a compressor or a Z and other cars too. However, I recommend a compressor and a good one at that. I used to work on cars in the garage for play money. On one occasion I was working on a Mazda replacing the struts. I was using one of those cheap compressors with the hooks and threaded rod. While compressing the spring one of the forged hooks gave way and the spring expanded rapidly. In a blinding moment my left thumb was stripped of flesh. I curled it into my palm and held tightly as the blood poured, yes, poured from my hand and down my arm. After the shock had passed I looked expecting to find my thumb gone or partially detached. The nail was gone as was a lot of flesh. I bandaged the thumb and called a tow truck to carry the car up to a local shop to finish the whole job. I lost money on that one! Anyhow, the point I'm hoping to make is safety should NEVER play second to anything else. I will only use a good hydraulic compressor now. Even with it's cheap

(poor quality) tools at Harborfreight, the $100 hydraulic spring compressor is a decent tool for most of us. It only takes ONE time to F**K up your life or limbs. Play it safe...always!

I didn't know you were in Portsmouth. I coulda just driven over and pick the damn thing up. Didn't even pay attention to where you were. Geez. I live in Yorktown.

[ezzzzzzz]

Yeah, I figured it would be the equivalent of shipping cost in petrol. Maybe one day I'll actually get to drive a bit and we'll meet up. I want to get the suspension (tokico's illumina and eibach's) installed along with the bushings, 280Z stubs, CV conversion, brake upgrade, Dellorto tripples, Miata seats, etc... blah, blah, blah. Lots of parts but little time!

[bpilati]

Yeah, I figured it would be the equivalent of shipping cost in petrol. Maybe one day I'll actually get to drive a bit and we'll meet up. I want to get the suspension (tokico's illumina and eibach's) installed along with the bushings, 280Z stubs, CV conversion, brake upgrade, Dellorto tripples, Miata seats, etc... blah, blah, blah. Lots of parts but little time!

MIATA SEATS????????? I'll kick your arse. :pirate: