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S2 Front Suspension Removal

DaveB

By DaveB,
in Four Door Family & Wagoneers

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DaveB Mentor

DaveB

Posted
Posted

Hi,

This probably belongs in the suspension thread, but it gets pretty busy there.

So this is probably a silly question: is it safe to remove the front spring/strut combination (Bilstein lowered, SK spec' with circlip grooves) without compressing the springs with spring compressors? Like, just undo the bolts and remove the assembly complete, with only the shock shaft nut to contain the spring preload? SK mentions "spring compressors are essential" here but I'm not sure if he just means to get the springs onto the strut and get the top hats on. It would make things much easier if I didn't have to use spring compressors to remove the strut from the car (it's hard to fit two on the spring while it's on the car).

I'm just a little iffy about the few hundred kilos of force stored up in that spring, being retained with a little tiny bolt lol.

cheers

DaveB

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Lakes101 Experienced

Lakes101

Posted
Posted

No spring compressors are needed to remove the strut assembly from the car just jak the car up and Jack up under the hub to tack up the slack of the lad then undo top strut bolts in the engine bay and lower the strut and undo lower bolts to remove strut assembly pretty easy all in all.

zoomzoom Mentor

zoomzoom

Posted
Posted

Yep its "safe" to remove the whole assembly with just the nut holding the springs. As you say it is only containing the spring preload, not the full compressed force. However its not like I would hold it towards my face and stare at it for any length of time.

The riskiest part is going to be the use of spring compressors, since the spring is tapered. It is difficult (for me it was impossible) to only use 2 wide grip compressors. I had to use a couple of extra "death sticks" to compress the spring all round safely. If you know of anyone at suspension shops, it would be a good time to call in a favour and use their professional compressors.

Also its probably a good time to get a good new dust boot. Im using dirtbike ones. Also, the rubber donuts that sit between the strut piston and strut mount degrade and crack over time, especially when you get new hard shocks. Possibly some polyurethane sway bar bushes would work.

DaveB Mentor

DaveB

Posted
  • Author
Posted

No spring compressors are needed to remove the strut assembly from the car just jak the car up and Jack up under the hub to tack up the slack of the lad then undo top strut bolts in the engine bay and lower the strut and undo lower bolts to remove strut assembly pretty easy all in all.

Cheers, yes I've done it several times, it's just when I do my 4WD stagea I use spring compressors, and that's a pain.

Yep its "safe" to remove the whole assembly with just the nut holding the springs. As you say it is only containing the spring preload, not the full compressed force. However its not like I would hold it towards my face and stare at it for any length of time.

The riskiest part is going to be the use of spring compressors, since the spring is tapered. It is difficult (for me it was impossible) to only use 2 wide grip compressors. I had to use a couple of extra "death sticks" to compress the spring all round safely. If you know of anyone at suspension shops, it would be a good time to call in a favour and use their professional compressors.

Also its probably a good time to get a good new dust boot. Im using dirtbike ones. Also, the rubber donuts that sit between the strut piston and strut mount degrade and crack over time, especially when you get new hard shocks. Possibly some polyurethane sway bar bushes would work.

Lol! I hate handling them.

Thanks guys, great to hear that it should be OK to let the nut trap the spring and not worry about the spring compressors. The pre-load must be pretty high though - I'd hate for one to let one go.

Duncan Grand Master

Duncan

Posted
Posted

actually there can be very little or even no preload depending on the spring length and ride height, that's why a lot of springs rattle and why some people need helper springs to keep it all preloaded.

I still wouldn't take the top hat off without spring compressors unless I was sure there was no preload, that would be quite exciting :)

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