help with changing front shocks!

[_turtle_]

hey guys, i'm in the middle of changing the shocks and can't get the bottom bolt off. can someone confirm that this is the correct one. it is on VERY tight. any tips would be great too.

thanks

[_turtle_]

update. ok i've got that damn bolt off now, used a long pole for extension and it finally came off. the shock is still not coming off, i've sort of moved it half way out, not i can't get it out and can't get it back in. is there anything else i need to do?

[_turtle_]

ok here is a pic of the situation. either i'm really weak, or the springs are really stiff or both...

damn, i need the car for work soon too!

[Bl4cK32]

give it small taps with a rubber mallet. If nothing, use a bit more force.

[_turtle_]

thanks Bl4cK32, after several "gentle" tapes with a mallet i finally got it off!

just putting the new shocker in now, not too sure how tite to do it up...

[Abo Bob]

put a small jack underneath the shock mate. they can be a bitch to compress by hand.

[Bl4cK32]

Use a little low strength loc-Tite on the thread, then do it up till its firm, then 1/4 more. Dont go stupid, u dont want it to be super tight so u'll never get it off......but u want it to stay on there....get it?

[blind_elk]

You might need to lever the lower control arm down to meet the eye of the shocker - sledge hammer handle between the chassis rail and the swaybar seem ideal for the purpose.

[_turtle_]

thanks for the replys guys. didn't finish it in time, so drove my mums car to work

only have to put it all back in now, already changed the shock absorber. bit worried about getting it back in as i had enough trouble just trying to take it out! gonna have to try some of the tips suggested. for any beginners out there wanting to change the shocks urself, i advise you to read all the tips!

cheers

[Chef_32]

i suggest you get someone to step on the axle to push it down in order to fit the bottom of the shock. quick, easy.... good luck

[_turtle_]

ok getting the shock back on the car is even harder than taking it off!

i was afraid of this, was so hard to get off, now its even harder to get it on. i need to compress it like 4cm to get it on.

i don't have a small enough jack to fit underneath there.

blind_elk can u give us a bit more info on ur idea?

thanks.

[Bl4cK32]

Get someone to stand on axle/brake rotor to push down on the hub. Just make sure the car is on axle stands, as well as the jack for stability. If that doesn't work go buy some spring compressors. right tool for the right job

[_turtle_]

yep, i've tried pushing the axle down, it helps but still can't get it on!

my poor baby is currently offline until i can fit it back on!

btw, i have spring compressors, but u can't use them to fit the shock back onto the car as there is not enough room there for them. are u suppose to still clamp the springs and keep it on wen u fit the shock back on?

thanks

[JimX]

Jacks are the best way. If you don't have one, get yourself a trolley jack, they are really useful. Use it to put the car up on axle stands, then when it's on the stands, pull the jack out and use it to jack up the shocks. It's really easy once you do a few. Everytime you do them you just get naturally better at it and therefore quicker.

[_turtle_]

Hey JimX, i've tried to use the jack to jack up the shock, but theres really no room there for the jack. the axle etc are blocking the way to jack the shocks?

When you say trolley jack, u just mean the ones with wheels on it correct?

Sorry for the dumbass questions! This is VERY urgent atm as i've given up on it until someone has some new ideas which i can try. In the meantime i have no car

Theres no need to have the spring compressors on when u are putting the shocks back into the car right?

I'll upload some more pics tomorrow.

[Bl4cK32]

Ok, put car up on jack. put large block of wood under axle. Let down car till axle rises. Think man!...

[_turtle_]

Bl4cK32, i am thinking! im thinking of who i can call to help me out! lol.

i want the axle to go down, not go up. if it goes up it makes the gap even greater and it will be harder to put on. any other ideas? i really hope this thread is closed soon.

heres a pic of the current situation.

[_turtle_]

here is a pic of the springs with the compressors clamped on em.

can someone tell me if i've done anything wrong at any stage. thanks.

[JimX]

There is more than enough room to jack the shock up if the car is up on axle stands. And by trolley jack, yes I do mean the ones with wheels You just need to push the shock up in a kind of next-to position to the stud, and then kind of slide it over. It's pretty easy once you get it into the right position, which can take a bit of fiddling.

You don't need a spring compressor but it might help if you can't do the jack trick. Keep in mind that new shocks are pretty hard to push up on their own anyway so you might need the jack regardless.

[JimX]

Turn the spring compressors upside down and squish the springs while you put the struts in. Then undo them when the strut is in place.

If you can't fit the jack in, it should be easy enough to use brute force to pull the suspension arm down a bit while pushing upwards against the shock and slide it onto the stud.

The more I think about it, the more I think I just used the jack for the rear and just used brute force for the front (no spring compressor for me).