Spring/strut replacement questions

Stevehose

Stevehose

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1. I have Carl N's lowering springs (thaks Ben) and new Bilstein inserts. Comparing to the original strut components that came out in the picture, do I need a new orange rubber bumper thing and larger dust cover or do I ignore those and just put the new strut in? I am going to replace the thin rubber rings top and bottom.

2. What is the easiest way to remove the rear spring - I have new Bilsteins on there already - do i need to remove the shock tower nut and drop down the suspension or something, I can't get the spring compressor on as is.

3. Front strut removal went without incident, but it appears I need new strut bearings as they have play in them - who sells them the cheapest or has a pair they want to sell?

Thanks

IMG-20111120-00008.jpg
 
Suspension

1. I asked Carl Nelson the same question. According to them, you don't use the orange bump stop or the black dust cover with the Bilsteins.

2. I didn't compare price but I got my strut bearing from Bav auto. They at least have good service and free shipping over a price point that I don't remember.

3. Because the bare shell was going to the body shop I dropped the rear out making access to the springs easy. Dropping the rear wasn't too difficult with a floor jack.

Finally, the Carl Nelson folks talked me into their top camber plate for the front. They recommended the camber plate to improve handling and reduce the chance of rubbing tire on fender with the lower front. I am also having the fenders rolled with the body is being repaired.

Good luck!
 
I am considering the negative camber plates, will my tires wear unevenly or highway handling be affected if I do or don't install them? I have stock 14" wheels and 215/65R14 tires with no rubbing issues.

I got the rear springs off.

Found strut bearings at Ultimate Garage - never bought from them before but they were the cheapest I could find. Have cleaned/resprayed the struts and will do some other cleaning/detailing while the parts come in.
 
Stevehose said:
I am considering the negative camber plates, will my tires wear unevenly or highway handling be affected if I do or don't install them? I have stock 14" wheels and 215/65R14 tires with no rubbing issues.
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after putting the 16" alpina style (coupeking) wheels on w/ 205/55 - 16s on the car ... which has the lowering springs on it ... i started thinking about negative camber plates. i need to angle the top of the wheels inward to avoid hitting the fenders. it seems too close to me, and my fenders aren't rolled.
 
Ok while waiting for front strut bearings and pads I have completed the rears which were a semi-beeotch until the strategic location of the spring compressors was figured out. Shock removal is essential if not dropping the wishbone parts which I didn't. The rear pads were in good shape with the undercoating removed and cleaned. Carl's springs seem to be high quality. While the under carriage is apart I have been doing some detailing/painting/rust proofing to pass the time. I also will be installing the front offset plates.

New spring:

IMG-20111126-00049.jpg


Original, complete with undercoating:

IMG-20111126-00037.jpg
 
Looks Good Steve. What is your technique for putting the car on stands?
 
Since I didn't need to get the car up more than just to get the wheels off it's easy - I put the floor jack under the frame rail towards the front and lift until both of that side's tires are off the ground then I put the rear stand inward of the jacking spot where the trailing arm meets the body, the front stand I put between the steering components just fore where the frame rail bends up then horizontal again - then I do the other side - these points allow for a level car and no body torquing. When I did my clutch and needed to get under and work, I did the above in small increments side-to-side 3-4 times until it was quite high, however the process is pretty nerve-wracking as it gets further off the ground and requires utmost caution during the lifting process.


Nicad said:
Looks Good Steve. What is your technique for putting the car on stands?
Click to expand...
 
Stevehose said:
Ok while waiting for front strut bearings and pads I have completed the rears which were a semi-beeotch until the strategic location of the spring compressors was figured out. Shock removal is essential if not dropping the wishbone parts which I didn't. The rear pads were in good shape with the undercoating removed and cleaned. Carl's springs seem to be high quality. While the under carriage is apart I have been doing some detailing/painting/rust proofing to pass the time. I also will be installing the front offset plates.
]
Click to expand...

hi steve, can you explain this a bit ?

my intention is not to touch the rear shocks, so what do you recommend to remove the springs ?
 
If memory serves me correctly you will need to unhook the rear shock from the bottom of the strut. A heavy soft hammer is recommended for off and then back on. Then you can compress the spring and get it off.


deQuincey said:
hi steve, can you explain this a bit ?

my intention is not to touch the rear shocks, so what do you recommend to remove the springs ?
Click to expand...
 
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