Front top mounts replacing

[woodways3]

2002 V70. Is it possible to undo the top centre strut nut and lower the strut just enough to unbolt the three nuts and replace the top bearing without removing the complete strut.I believe doing this that the spring is kept in place by a star nut under the round rubber top spring cup.???

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by woodways3

2002 V70. Is it possible to undo the top centre strut nut and lower the strut just enough to unbolt the three nuts and replace the top bearing without removing the complete strut.

No not possible without unnecessary effort and risk. Removing the complete strut for access is much easier.
It's true that on ours we can at least replace the bearing without spring compressors and star nut removal.

For the full procedure, see my video here.

[woodways3]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

No not possible without unnecessary effort and risk. Removing the complete strut for access is much easier.
It's true that on ours we can at least replace the bearing without spring compressors and star nut removal.

For the full procedure, see my video here.

Thanks what a horrible job !

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by woodways3

what a horrible job !

Granted, it looks daunting and Haynes gives shock replacement 4 out of 5 spanners difficulty level but with the right tools, I quite enjoy it and it's very satisfying once done.

[petey]

Compressing springs with screw thread compressors is easily the most frightening and concerning job that I can think of for a home mechanic, bar none.
Just last year, a technician in my team with well over 40 years experience spinning spanners had a road spring break on him as he was loosening the compressors. The only reason the HSE didn't descend upon me was that I was able to demonstrate he'd had all the skills, experience and tooling that anyone could ask for, it was just an unlucky incident. Didn't stop him having the best part of 4 months off and even now, he still cannot clap properly.

The point I make is that whilst the practical work is pretty simple, take the utmost care when using spring compressors, and get the spring relaxed as soon as is practical. If you treat it like an un-exploded bomb on a shaker table, you won't be far wrong.

[Longhouse21]

[QUOTE=petey; If you treat it like an un-exploded bomb on a shaker table, you won't be far wrong.[/QUOTE]

THAT is one of the best bits of advice I've heard in a long time. I do a lot of first time equipment & process plant start-up and always adopt the approach of "plan for the worst, hope for the best and have a back-up and escape plan if things go wrong"
Glad the HSE took a pragmatic view and realized that you did have the necessary tools, equipment, expertise & training in place and that it was just an unfortunate and unforeseeable incident. Hope the employee makes a full recovery.

[ThomasG]

Originally Posted by petey

If you treat it like an un-exploded bomb on a shaker table, you won't be far wrong.

+1, that

[barrybritcher]

Originally Posted by petey

Compressing springs with screw thread compressors is easily the most frightening and concerning job that I can think of for a home mechanic, bar none.
Just last year, a technician in my team with well over 40 years experience spinning spanners had a road spring break on him as he was loosening the compressors. The only reason the HSE didn't descend upon me was that I was able to demonstrate he'd had all the skills, experience and tooling that anyone could ask for, it was just an unlucky incident. Didn't stop him having the best part of 4 months off and even now, he still cannot clap properly.

The point I make is that whilst the practical work is pretty simple, take the utmost care when using spring compressors, and get the spring relaxed as soon as is practical. If you treat it like an un-exploded bomb on a shaker table, you won't be far wrong.

as long as you have your safety shorts and flip flops on you'll be alright

[MMT5]

Originally Posted by petey

Compressing springs with screw thread compressors is easily the most frightening and concerning job that I can think of for a home mechanic, bar none.
Just last year, a technician in my team with well over 40 years experience spinning spanners had a road spring break on him as he was loosening the compressors. The only reason the HSE didn't descend upon me was that I was able to demonstrate he'd had all the skills, experience and tooling that anyone could ask for, it was just an unlucky incident. Didn't stop him having the best part of 4 months off and even now, he still cannot clap properly.

The point I make is that whilst the practical work is pretty simple, take the utmost care when using spring compressors, and get the spring relaxed as soon as is practical. If you treat it like an un-exploded bomb on a shaker table, you won't be far wrong.

I'm completely with you on this. I have been a vehicle tech for 25 years and still hate compressing springs. I have so many different types of spring compressors and sometimes I use four on one spring, just makes me feel better.

I worked at a Peugeot garage back in the 80's and one of the master tech's had left a rear spring compressed from a 505 estate during lunch. We heard a loud bang and the spring had bowed sideways and literally shot through the roof and dissapeared.

A month later an old boy neighbour brought the spring back to us, he found it at the bottom of his garden embedded in his flowers.

Damn lucky it didn't hit anyone.

From that day forward I always appreciated the amount of energy a compressed spring has!

I recently replaced the front shocks, springs, bumper stops, protection boots, spring seats and top mounts on my 2008 S60 and it still scares me as to how long these springs are and how much you have to compress them. Makes me cringe just thinking about it!

[woodways3]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

Granted, it looks daunting and Haynes gives shock replacement 4 out of 5 spanners difficulty level but with the right tools, I quite enjoy it and it's very satisfying once done.

Is it ok to use locktight on the nuts and bolts removed instead of having to order new??