Re: Front Shocks

I've just got the front shock & spring unit off the front of my '93 Uni, and now I need to put the old spring on the new shock.

How the hell do I take the old unit apart?

In my haynes manual it says to 'hold onto the flats' on the bolt, which is easy enough, and 'unscrew the nut'... however, I can't get to the nut with a spanner, I need to use a socket, but if I use a socket it has to go over the end of the bolt, meaning I can't hold the 'flats' as they are under the socket!!!

Sorry if this dosen't make alot of sense, but I don't really know how to explain it...

Re: Front Shocks

you need an airgun or an electric nut gun to usally shift them, go to local garage and ask them nicely! ant!

Re: Front Shocks

What difference would an airgun do as opposed to a socket and ratchet? Other than being quicker...

I still wouldn't be able to hold onto the top of the bolt...

Re: Front Shocks

I used an offset spanner, mole grips and swearing.

Re: Front Shocks

Don't forget that you MUST use coil spring compressors when dismantelling the shock units unless you fancy pulling a coil spring out of your chest :dead:

Re: Front Shocks

I had a similar problem when I removed the springs from my Uno Turbo. You'll probably find that the nut is bottomed out which is why it won't shift.

I loosened the nut before taking the assembly off the car. to do it, I destroyed the rubber bush when applying heat (to no avail) .

I then got a 19mm open ended spanner on that nut, and held the top still and it cracked off. the bush gets in the way, so if you want to use it again, maybe use a deep offset ring spanner like this http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/17mm-X...Spanner-55692-Draper-7105MM?sc=2&category=707 I'm not sure if there is the clearance between nut and bush.

Funny thing here is that the other side came off with a socket. the top of the shock didn't need holding at all .

As Chas says you will need spring clamps too. :yeahthat:

Maybe Chas still has a spare set of the (used) bushes

Re: Front Shocks

Louie Bee said:

Maybe Chas still has a spare set of the (used) bushes

Click to expand...

Yes, the pair you gave to me are still sitting in my collection of Uno spares I'll be using them when I fit my PI lowering springs when the Uno comes off the road for a makeover :slayer:

Re: Front Shocks

I have a set of new top mount bushes (front and rear) for an Uno. Should probably put up in classifieds again.

Re: Front Shocks

the air gun is like a series of shocks as it turns the gun, the nut was probably put on with an airgun so will be very tight Ant!