awilli6

Hey gang,

I have an 87S4 that I'm trying to change the shocks on. I have both rear shocks out with the spring. I have the spring compressor. Do I just compress the spring and if I do, will that allow me to remove the upper nut from the shock?

GlenL

Yes.

Bilal928S4

Compress the spring and then use your air gun and it will get the nut off. I have also loosened the nut while the shock is on the car and the weight is on the wheels. Then it is easier to remove the nut once the shock assembly is in the spring compressors. Be careful with compressing the spring. I have not had good luck with the harbor freight spring compressors.

SeanR

Be really damn careful as if the spring compressors you are using break, other things, like bones, walls, loved ones can break too.

bureau13

Does anyone have a link to a (hopefully affordable) spring compressor that is known to work well? Several years ago, I borrowed one to do the shocks and springs on my RX-7 and it worked well, but it and it's owner have since left town. I see a lot out there that look relatively similar, but I know there are some out there that are almost weapons when that spring is compressed.

danglerb

I wouldn't try any of the cheap spring compressors. Find a shop that will do it, or let you do it.

awilli6

Thanks guys. I think I will find someone to change them for me. Rented compressors from Autozone but they look like they could easily slip.

Adk46

My front struts are at a local garage right now, which previously did the rears. The orientation is fussy on the rears - the clevis part has a slight angle. I drew lines, took pictures, explained it to the guys. They said it was a mighty struggle, but they did good. The new rears took most of the Buick out of the car; I'm hoping the fronts take out the rest.

z driver 88t

I've used the Autozone / Avance Auto Parts rented free compressors on over a dozen suspensions over the past 25 years. I may be incredibly naïve and maybe I've just been lucky, but for me they have always worked well. Just tighten / loosen each side a few turns by alternating one nut to the other. In other words don't fully compress one side first. Loosen the same way.

I did my front and rears this past Fall, replacing the stock set-up with Weltmeister springs and Konis. No real big surprises but the fronts are a pain trying to lower the spring through the lower control arm. Lot's of write-ups on various techniques on Rennlist for that. Many ways to skin that cat, but none are especially easy - albeit a bit easier in the S4 than the earlier cars

The upper nut can then be removed. Even with an impact gun, the nut may turn the shaft so you may need to hold the shaft still, especially if you are using hand tools. I THINK it can be held with an allen wrench at the top (it was about 4 months ago and don't remember exactly) or if you are throwing out the old the shocks anyway you can just put vice grips on the shaft.

VERY IMPORTANT - the centerline of the base of the shock is slightly off-set from the body. At first glance, it appears you can install the base in either direction, and it is easy to be 180 degrees off. I had one shock 180 degrees off until I got the car fully back on the ground and realized the base was not seated correctly. I THINK the short side goes towards the rear and longer side goes towards the front, but double check that.

Other than that - it's a pretty straight forward job. Good luck.

Mrmerlin

To the OP since your working on the shocks,
as has been suggested use caution with any spring compressor.

NOTE since you didnt provide any info on the brand of shocks your working with, both old and new
or the springs your using
further info cannot be provided.

I suggest to follow the following notes.

NOTE take your lower link pins and clean them,
roll them on a flat surface to verify they are straight,
if they are bent,
then used replacement parts will work.

NOTE use thick grease to hold the beveled washers to the hub carrier.

NOTE use a generous amount of anti seize on the link pins,

NOTE measure the lower spring perch to the bottom of the shock,
so you can transfer this measurement to the new parts.

as previously noted the lower shock mount has a bend in it ,
pay attention to this,
if you have to force it, its probably backwards.
NOTE Bill Ball has posted pictures of the correct way to fit the rear shocks

StratfordShark

Yes but the shock nut will just turn the piston unless you either counterhold the top of the piston (using a through type ratchet on the nut), or as others have suggested an impact tool to pin off the nut. I use an electric cordless impact wrench which works well to break torque on that nut.

Be careful with the springs. I use a very hefty set of spring compressors, which also has a safety locking device linking the two compressors so they are much less likely to slip. They cost only a little more than the cheap ones, but I get to keep my head on my shoulders! Apply compression evenly on each side.

awilli6

Are the struts matched to sides? Does one only fit on the drivers side?

Bilal928S4

No. The fronts can fit either side. The rears are the same for either side also.

awilli6

Thanks. I'm going to need an extra set of hands. I had to walk away today. I'll get back to it this weekend.

Godzilla83s

http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2093755/?...Fchr7AodZWgA1g

I'm planning on picking up Schwabens pro kit. This is what we had when was working at VW dealers, they work amazingly well. Smooth even spring compression, no worries about slipping clamps or bodily harm.