Yummybud924

I did some searches and found that some people have replaced the front struts without doing an alignment. I want to follow the method where no spring compressor is used. Basically what I read is that you take off the holding the struts from above, then raise the car remove wheels, remove sway bar then press down on control arm and lower strut assembly then remove the coil, and pull out the strut insert (my car is an 85.5). I am installing Bilstein inserts

i'm just worried about how safe this is. Is okay to undo the nut on top holding the strut and to pull out the spring without a compressor? would the spring be compressed?

also is is absolutely necessary to use an impact gun? from what I understand if you don't use one, the nut will just spin the strut and it won't come loose.


Thanks.

ramius665

Well, from what you read does it sound like a safe idea? I'd think not, those springs at full compression are pretty stout. Wouldn't want one shooting at me or through my garage wall. The cost of renting a spring compressor and paying to get an alignment done is well worth the money if you don't want to risk serious harm.

As far as using an impact, I've never tried to use anything but an impact. Even then the shaft still spins but the impact can get the nuts torqued. I'm sure someone out there has had luck with hand tools but I wouldn't take that as a regular case.

ZR8ED

I just did my front struts a couple of weeks ago. You need a spring compressor. They are still under compression even when the suspension is fully relaxed. It may not be enough to kill you, but could sure hurt you and damage the car.

Darwantae951

Coming from personal experience, I was almost severly injured by a spring that was improperly compressed using spring compressors. I can't imagine there is any gaurantee that you can contain the spring energy as you lower the control arm. A little too risky for me, but remember that there are right ways and wrong ways to do things. Messing with springs can have the potential to put you in the hospital.

V2Rocket

I have done this without incident before. Loosen everything on the ground, then lift the car completely up, remove wheels, unhook strut tops and pry down on the control arm. Whole assembly just pivots down and with some wiggling the spring comes right off.

YMMV, I take no liability or responsibility for any mishaps that occur to you along the way.

kev951

yup, in spec racing, there is no time for spring compressors, even with stock springs. IT is dangerouse, but possible if you've done it enough. getting it aligned would be optimum for a street car for the sake of tire life.

krystar

get 2 heavy-set (or fluffy if they like that term better) friends. have em sit on the car. impact top nut off.

ilikemy944

I fail to see how you will not need an alignment after this.
Aren't you removing the camber adjustment bolt to remove the strut?

Darwantae951

He doesn't want to remove the strut, he just wants to gain access to replace the strut insert.

StoogeMoe

Yeah, this is the way you do it. I never required any plump friends. The weight of the car is enough. After the top nut is off, you jack up the car, and it all comes apart.

ilikemy944

Yep that makes sense.

Yummybud924

^ like this. I assume that when you lift the car after loosening the strut at the top it is suppose to lift the pressure off the spring. But, i've never done this and wouldn't know how safe it is. I just saw that some people on reenlist have used this method before.

http://byronbowerslive.com/2012/01/0...-joints-wpics/

Yummybud924

i think i'll do it the normal method and take out the whole assembly and just bring it to a shock to switch the inserts for me, and then get an alignment.

ZR8ED

Just go to harbor freight and buy a compressor. Less than 15 bucks. I did it without removing the struts on my 86. I put in lowering springs, and still used the spring compressor to make it easier to fit back as I was working by myself. No issues.

Gawernator

Sounds to me like more work than just using a simple spring compressor. I got mine off Amazon, works great, takes like 10-15 minutes a side to compress max, and that's taking my time. An impact gun should spin the nut right off. Worked on my 83. On my 86 the shaft was still spinning so I took vice grip pliers, just put them on the shaft, braced against the fender liner. Boom off.