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19th February 2010, 19:21
#1
Regular Member
Spanner for Changing Front Shocks/Springs
When you remove the strut to replace the front shock absorbers (and/or springs), you need a 22mm spanner to undo a nut at the top whilst inserting a T50 torx bit just above it, right? The problem is that the 22mm nut is recessed, so you can't use a conventional ratchet, you need a vortex ratchet (as swan neck spanners probably won't reach down far enough). Perhaps this would do:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165572
My question is, would something like this do instead, although you may need to cut the length so that you can still reach the T50 nut as well:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10-PCE-BOX-SPA...item19b9e00d55
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19th February 2010, 19:30
#2
Regular Member
when u remove the 3 bolts would the full strut not just fall out along with that plate im going to lower my car so was thinkin of puttin molegrips on the shock n a normal socket to undo the bolt if possible???
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19th February 2010, 19:54
#3
Regular Member
What about using a box spanner?
Edit: sorry didn't see the second link above.
Should work with a long t50 through the middle
Last edited by marley; 19th February 2010 at 19:58.
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19th February 2010, 19:55
#4
Regular Member
Originally Posted by
marley
What about using a box spanner?
errr...the ebay link in my post above is for a box spanner.
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19th February 2010, 20:12
#5
Pity you wer'nt a bit closer or you coul'v borrowed my swan neck,all the above are no good because you need to hold the nut whilst turning the shaft or vice versa??? do you have/access to a grinder..if so buy a swan neck spanner for a few quid,and what you need to do is grind the excess steel from the back,then it will slot in nicely,much cheaper and does the job,i did this with mine and it worked a treat.
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19th February 2010, 20:18
#6
Regular Member
One of these might reach through the center of a box spanner:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stahlwille-Tor...#ht_1027wt_982
Only problem would be the tommy bar would not go all the way through as would be blocked by the t50 bet you could grip it with mole grips or simlar.
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19th February 2010, 20:53
#7
Use a full size spark plug socket with the T or an allen key down the centre to hold the piston and use the hex of the socket to undo it.
'Crack' it before you remove the strut from the car. Look at the 'How to' and it's comments thread - it's all good.
http://www.vectra-c.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75303
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20th February 2010, 10:39
#8
Regular Member
Yes the howto referred to previously is excellent.
I've just done my front shocks. Be aware that whilst the original shocks had a T50 the replacement Bilstein shocks had a T45 sized head.
I used a cheap set of long torx bits from ebay (£5.99 inc post)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=370332629446
and held the the 22mm socket with mole grips allowing the torx bit to be inserted thru' the centre of the socket.
Whilst the spring was compressed and being fitted I did not attempt to fully tighten the top bolt, just did it enough to fully thread the bolt. Then after fitting the strut to the car jacked the suspension up from the wishbone. This compressed the spring allowing it it to be turned to fit correctly in its groove at the bottom and also removed the load from the top bolt enabling it to be easily fully threaded and then tightened.
Regards,
Dave
Last edited by DaveG; 20th February 2010 at 10:52.
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20th February 2010, 19:19
#9
Regular Member
Done mine today using a box spanner and socket down the centre. Worked a treat.
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28th February 2010, 16:47
#10
New Member
Front springs replacement
Just done all 4 springs on my vectra-c 2005, Before you do anything remove the strut cap, Get a 21mm socket and extend the rachet with a tube bar don't use any hex keys just quickly crack the nut and it will go easy, I never had the right tool to remove the nut after compressing the springs what I done was bought a 21mm socket from B&Q £2.78 used a electric grinder to grind two flat edges either side to the socket till I could fit a open end spanner, Then use the hex key to turn the shaft in the tightening rotation and not turning the socket, The nut came off fine and I used the same method to replace the nut after I had changed the spring, First side took me a few hours with grinding the socket but second side took me half a hour !
Hope this helps !!
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