A few tips from experience:
You don't have to remove the whole strut to replace a shock absorber. You can lower the suspension after undoing the three securing nuts holding the top mounting and swing the strut outwards so it clears the wing lip, so you have space to extract the shock absorber.
Loosen the suspension bolts to let the bushes rotate freely.
Uncouple the anti-roll bar drop link.
Loosen the big nut on top first.
Lower the strut and then compress the spring enough so you can remove the top pivot plate plus bearing. (For security of mind bind the compressors so they can't slip off)
You don't need a special tool to undo the nut. Use a cold chisel or a big stillson wrench.
If you do want to remove the whole strut, use the slots cut in the brake pipe securing brackets on the strut to release the brake pipes. You can then wind the strut up through the coiled pipes, leaving the brakes entirely untouched. No need to drain or bleed fluid. (If there are no slots, cut them carefully - brake-pipe thickness)
Don't forget to retighten all the suspension bolts after the car is back standing on its wheels.
Mark the position of the top plate before dismantling, so you retain the camber setting.
|