VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.
General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: cipo28 on September 06, 2008, 03:16:20 pm
-
Do I need a spring compressor tool in order to remove my rear shocks? 'cause I don't have that tool, where I can get a chip one? Any ideas? It's so frustrating when you don't have a proper tool to do the job. Thanks
-
no, on the rear ones you can load the car until the top is loose, unscrew the top (carefully), unload it then jack it until the springs extend fully.
then take the shocks and springs off.
be real careful, as the springs are really strong and can severely injure someone if not handled with that in mind.
also take pictures and note the order and orientation of the spacers and shims on the upper shock mount.
-
Do I need a spring compressor tool in order to remove my rear shocks? 'cause I don't have that tool, where I can get a chip one? Any ideas? It's so frustrating when you don't have a proper tool to do the job. Thanks
All you need is a 17mm wrench and socket to remove the shocks:
-jack up the rear end and remove the rear wheels
- remove the 17mm bolt and nut that hold the bottom of the shock to the trailing arm of the rear suspension
- working in the trunk, remove the three 17mm nuts that hold the assortment of washers and rubber spacers on the top of the shock
- withdraw the shock
Once you remove the shock you'll be left with one more nut (it might also be a 17) that holds down the spring retainer and then you disassemble the whole unit... no spring compressor required because of the lengh of the spring.
As the previous poster suggests... good idea to take notes or pictures so that you put all the various spacers, nuts, etc back in the right order when you put your new shocks back in.
-
I like that version, a lot simpler than mine :D
I'll try it next time
-
...thank you so much guys, I looked today after a spring compressor but is much more expensive than what I payed for the shocks together...this is great that I don't need it. Thanks again!
-
http://www.princessauto.com/_osn.cfm?CTRY=CAN&output=OSN&SRCH=1&SRCHAREA=OSN&T1=COIL%20SPRING%20COMPRESSOR
I think the store in Mississauga would be closest to you:http://www.princessauto.com/PAcountry.cfm?CTRY=CAN&INF=MAP&LOC=MISS&SPC=1
-
http://www.princessauto.com/_osn.cfm?CTRY=CAN&output=OSN&SRCH=1&SRCHAREA=OSN&T1=COIL%20SPRING%20COMPRESSOR
I think the store in Mississauga would be closest to you:http://www.princessauto.com/PAcountry.cfm?CTRY=CAN&INF=MAP&LOC=MISS&SPC=1
THANK YOU! $11.99...THAT'S A STEAL!
-
And they work just fine and are very safe.... hard to believe for 12 bucks !!
Still, it's a good idea to treat a McPherson strut like a loaded gun that could go off without notice.. in other words, point it away from you at all times !!
-
And they work just fine and are very safe.... hard to believe for 12 bucks !!
Still, it's a good idea to treat a McPherson strut like a loaded gun that could go off without notice.. in other words, point it away from you at all times !!
Solid advice on both counts.
-
Watch out for Boge and Sachs using normal and fine metric threads for the top mounts, this has caused me grief before.
-
If your car has a horizontal bolt going through the shock and the axel, have a Sawzall near by.
If they salt the roads in your local, the lower shock bolt is fused to the sleeve inside the lower shock mount with rust. You'll have to cut the lower shock bolt on both sides of the shock to get it out.
-
naw shouldn't be as bad as all that. i just did the rears on my salt-driven rabbit and although the lower bolts were rusted in there good, a little PB blaster and some taps with a hammer sort that out. we have to be the road salt capital of the world here. :x
-
Nos-hit, I've had to do quite a few with the sawzall.
Heat, beat, rustoff, didn't do squat.
Be prepaired
Try the lowers first. If the come out, your in luck. If not, find a sawzall.
-
you made it sound like the common procedure required a sawzall to do the job on a car with this type of bolt. i think its more of a last resort if the car has been sitting in a field or something. no need to go get a sawzall before doing rear suspension work :? can be done with simple hand tools and a jack.
-
I truely hope the OP doesn't need the sawzall.
But i've seen too many daily drivers in this area that need it for a rear shock change. I guess we get more salt than you.
Lucky us....
-
mine were really bad... they had to be heated for a good 5-10 mins with a propane torch. and lots of penetrating fluid... at the end of it i would almost rather just sawsall it off and put on a new bolt. which i probably should have anyway...
-
http://www.princessauto.com/_osn.cfm?CTRY=CAN&output=OSN&SRCH=1&SRCHAREA=OSN&T1=COIL%20SPRING%20COMPRESSOR
I think the store in Mississauga would be closest to you:http://www.princessauto.com/PAcountry.cfm?CTRY=CAN&INF=MAP&LOC=MISS&SPC=1
THANK YOU! $11.99...THAT'S A STEAL!
As you're in Canada, your local Canadian Tire
will lend you strut spring compressors free
of charge. Better than buying a tool you'll
only use once or twice.
-
but don't you need to buy their strut/shocks???
-
Not at my local Crappy Tire. They do require a credit card deposit/impression so that they can recover the tool cost if you don't return it.
-
but don't you need to buy their strut/shocks???
No. You don't have to buy
their shocks/struts.
They lend out the spring compressors,
brake tools, exhaust tools, etc., etc.,
for free.
Just as clbanman says, you only need
a credit card or refundable deposit and
some i.d.
At my local Can. Tire they have a list of
all the tools they lend out (with pictures)
at the service counter.
-
partsource too