Technical front shocks

[kayl0rz]

the drivers front shocker decided to give in on the way back from sheff transport show on sunday. started hearing a knock on the way there but thought it was an exhaust mounting or something... on further inspection its the shocker.. got an advisory for it on the last MOT but i totally forgot about it. untill now!

went to parts place today and got two new ones (i know its best to swap them in pairs, handling n all that....)

thing is... parts place didnt have any of them dust protector thingie ma bobs.

bascially what i wanna know is... would it be ok to reuse the ones that are on the car now? like clean em up and that and use em on the new shocks?

also im gonna need spring compressors arent i?

and i gotta do it all on my own cos my parents went away for the week today so no dad to help me

 

[jug]

yes you can re-use the dust covers.

you'll defo need compressors.

good luck kay. i'd have the top nut loosened at a garage before you start, it makes life so much easier.

 

[Hellcat]

Is it lowered? If so, you may not need the compressors. If not - you need them. Agree with having your nuts loosened at a garage first.

Soak all the bolts and nuts in oil before you do the job. You'll need a smooth bar to knock the bolts out that hold the strut to the hub carrier.

Remember when taking out the 13mm bolts holding the top mount to the frame to undo it a few turns, squirt in some oil then wind it back tight again. In out in out as you undo it so you don't snap a rusted bolt.

 

[kayl0rz]

coolio.

im gonna kill myself tho.. i can feel it happening. why do i have to do summit big on car as soon as my dad goes away. if only it was something simple like screen wash is empty

 

[bandido41]

If your dad is only away for a week is it not worth waiting for the weekend? the springs are not the best of things to do on your own for the first time with no help/guidance if something goes pear shaped with the compressors then you can do some serious to yourself and your property.

 

[kayl0rz]

i might leave it tbh... but then i wanna drive the car.. and i dont wanna risk doing any more damage driving it.. but then i dont wanna kill myself fixing it LOL

 

[gaz.d]

I managed to change front shocks. I was pretty much straight forward. Just needed an angle grinder on the top nut

Get someone else to do it

 

[Hellcat]

If your dad is only away for a week is it not worth waiting for the weekend? the springs are not the best of things to do on your own for the first time with no help/guidance if something goes pear shaped with the compressors then you can do some serious to yourself and your property.

Just make sure your fingers are never between the coils. Use a minimum of 3 compressors, and use the safety locks. Tighten them in order and watch that the spring is being compressed straight.

I've done quite a few now and haven't had a problem by following the above.

 

[circolo]

I'm with Hellcat on the the 3 spring compressors route. On previous Fiats I've only needed 2. But the Bravo front springs need a lot more compression, and are under quite a load, even uncompressed on a fully open shock.

The top nut can be an arse. So I'd advise getting this loosened before, or undoing this a little, whilst in situ on the car.

 

[kayl0rz]

theres not really any one around to give me a hand in the day, all my male mates work


the nuts on the hub arent a problem, ive had them off countless times from driveshaft troubles n that, its just the top strut bolts im worried about. would it be worth giving them a good going over with plus gas and leaving em for an hour or so and then try?

oh and the car is lowered, so the bolts will have to been undone at some point, so that might make it a little easier, they wont be as seized as a car thats never been touched

 

[jug]

its just the top strut bolts im worried about.

thats the ones we're on about. defo loosen them on the car first, using an offset ring spanner and a hex bit in a 1/2" drive ratchet. if you cant do it like that on the car, then you definately cant do it off the car either.

would it be worth giving them a good going over with plus gas and leaving em for an hour or so and then try?

it always helps.

 

[Hellcat]

Lowered... Easy!

The 3x 13mm bolts holding the top mount to the top frame rails shouldn't be an issue. Crack them loose, squirt oil under them, give them a few mins then wind them back on and off. I wouldn't put a torch on them given they're on painted surfaces.

Edit.. ah you meant the big ones. Always worth going to a garage and asking them to put the windy gun on it to loosen them.

 

[jug]

The 3x 13mm bolts holding the top mount to the top frame rails shouldn't be an issue.

i did snap one once, it wasn't funny.

 

[Hellcat]

i did snap one once, it wasn't funny.

I can imagine. Her's have already been off given the suspension is lowered.

 

[kayl0rz]

ive fallen at the first hurdle

went out to plus gas the bolts... and tried to get the strut top covers off... pass side came off ok.. drivers side wont budge

 

[bandido41]

Big flat head screw driver under the plastic cup usually does the trick

 

[kayl0rz]

where would i be without you guys!

i just painted my brakes blue.

id say calipers but the discs and pads got some too

and it looks **** haha. just cleaned em and painted em.. didnt sand down the old stuff.. couldnt be bothered

 

[jug]