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Front shock absorber replacement.
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- Member
- Posts: 396
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 6:40 pm
- Location: chesterfield
Front shock absorber replacement.
Guys, I have a broken spring on the front.
This evening I have removed the shock absorber and stripped it down.
The top coil of the spring was missing so came off pretty easily without the need for spring compressors.
My question is will a new spring need much compressing? Can it be done easily with diy ones or is it best taking it a garage to get them to fit the spring into the strut?
I couldn’t drive the car as the spring had snapped and slid over the top hat onto the body.
Cheers.
Steve.
This evening I have removed the shock absorber and stripped it down.
The top coil of the spring was missing so came off pretty easily without the need for spring compressors.
My question is will a new spring need much compressing? Can it be done easily with diy ones or is it best taking it a garage to get them to fit the spring into the strut?
I couldn’t drive the car as the spring had snapped and slid over the top hat onto the body.
Cheers.
Steve.
- patriot66
- Lifer
- Posts: 3480
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:59 am
- Location: Mawdesley, Lancashire
Front shock absorber replacement.
Why not pop down to Halfords and buy your own spring compressors ? Then you'll already have them for when your rear springs break !
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- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 6:40 pm
- Location: chesterfield
Front shock absorber replacement.
Lol. Already done the rears
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Front shock absorber replacement.
Yeah I'd say you need spring compressors... Unless you have a heavy mate that can push down on the spring while you tighten it up!
I've got a set of the Halfords ones Patriot mentioned, did the job for me so you shouldn't have any issues with something similar! My only advice would be to take care when removing the bottom pinch bolt that secures the shock to the HUB as they like to snap
I've got a set of the Halfords ones Patriot mentioned, did the job for me so you shouldn't have any issues with something similar! My only advice would be to take care when removing the bottom pinch bolt that secures the shock to the HUB as they like to snap
E86 Coupe 3.0si Sport - Montego Blue, Pearl Grey with Piano Black dash
BC BR series Coilovers, powerflex bushes, 15mm spacers, Custom SS exhaust, CDV delete
BC BR series Coilovers, powerflex bushes, 15mm spacers, Custom SS exhaust, CDV delete
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- Posts: 396
- Joined: Sun Feb 13, 2011 6:40 pm
- Location: chesterfield
Front shock absorber replacement.
All done! No way I was going to use spring compressors on that one lol.
Massive thanks to forum member Andy fanshaw and his hydraulic spring compressor.
Pinch bolt was a bastard but I was steady with it and it came out ok. New ones from Bmw ready to go in.
Massive thanks to forum member Andy fanshaw and his hydraulic spring compressor.
Pinch bolt was a bastard but I was steady with it and it came out ok. New ones from Bmw ready to go in.
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- Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:18 pm
Front shock absorber replacement.
You don't need them for the rears, undo the shock bolt and push down on the hub, gives you enough room to swap the springs over.
E85 3.0
- patriot66
- Lifer
- Posts: 3480
- Joined: Sun Jan 11, 2015 2:59 am
- Location: Mawdesley, Lancashire
Front shock absorber replacement.
Good point ! It slipped my mind...and I'm fitting 4 x Bilstein B4s next week
Sterling Grey '03 2.5i SE / Infinitas Supercharger / S.M.G / Hardtop / Gloss Black 162s / Bilstein B4s / 3.0i Brakes / DLV De-Cat & Silencer / Rebuilt VANOS / Sonar 2Xcite Lights / Carbon & Alcantara Trim / M-Sport Seats / ...& Side Covers !
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- Lifer
- Posts: 5277
- Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2014 3:01 pm
- Location: NW London
Front shock absorber replacement.
Don't forget the Loctite on the rear lower bolts
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- williamdefender
- Member
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Front shock absorber replacement.
I had to use two sets of spring compressors when replacing the shocks last year . Risky old job and might be best to bring the strut to a local garage . Cant see them charging much just for a five min job in their spring compressor tool thingy