vn strut inserts

[hz aj]

im about to re do my rubbers shocks n strut inserts i kniw how to do most of it but im just wondering if any can give me some tips on changing the front strut inserts

[Brett_jjj]

Get a workshop manual like the Gregorys brand manuals,for your car,and follow its instructions to a TEE,that way you will know that the job is done 100% correctly.Thats probably the best advice I can give you...The best $40 you can spend on your car is for one of these manuals.Ive been working on cars for nearly 30 years now and still use these manuals for the bigger jobs, just to be sure everythings done correctly.Ive seen too many people over the years make silly dangerous mistakes when trying to work on their own cars with no proper guidance or advice..

[Morton]

Front strut inserts are an involved job for a beginner.

I'll try and take you through it, assuming you have the complete strut assembly out of the vehicle:



1) Use your spring compressors to compress the spring until it is just jiggling freely inside the strut. This is crucial, or you'll bloody well murder yourself getting the bearing plate off.
2a) Use a rattle gun to undo the big nut holding the bearing plate in place
2b) Failing the use of a rattle gun, do the following:
Find a socket that fits nicely onto the nut, and mark out two sides of that socket. You want to grind the sides down flat, so you can turn the socket with a big spanner. This is in order that you slide a large (LARGE) flathead screwdrive down through the top of the socket, onto the notch in the top of the strut insert. This allows you to hold the insert still while you undo the nut with your spanner + socket. It helps to drill out a hole through the handle of your screwdriver, so you can throw another screwdriver in there for extra T-handle leverage
3) remove your bearing plate, taking careful note to keep the cupped washer underneath for grease protection!
4) remove your spring plate and rubber locator, paying attention to the order everything comes out in
5) remove your spring
6) lodge the strut insert retaining nut (huuuuge thing) FIRMLY in a vice, and turn the whole strut assembly to undo the nut
7) unscrew the nut
8) pull your insert out, and marvel at the oil it's spilt all over your struts
9) I recommend throwing some new strut boot kits in there while you're at it. New bump stops are usually included with Monroe and KYB strut boot kits.
10) have fun putting it all back together

[Morton]

I forgot a step after number 5:

rip out your old strut boot and bump stop, and THROW THEM IN THE BIN!!!

I also recommend adding a bit of loctite to everything as you reassemble it