Front Spring Removal Question

[Jezzy]

I'll probably be replacing my front coil springs and shocks sometime during the next couple of months, so I'm working out the easiest method of disassembling the strut. This is what I plan to do:

Leave the strut bolted to the turret with the three Torx screws, then put a 21mm spark plug socket over the threaded spindle, and insert a T50 bit through the centre of the spark plug. I gave this a test run today, using a 3/8" spark plug socket and the hole in the middle wasn't big enough for the T50 bit to go through it. So, my question for those who have used this method is, if I use a 1/2" spark plug socket instead of 3/8", would that allow a T50 through? (I don't have a 1/2" socket at the moment to try it, but they're easilly available). Or, do I instead need to find a T50 bit without a bulky attachment on it instead?

[the-wizard]

Whip the complete leg off, spring compressors on (i lent some), then just wizz the nut off with an air gun there is no need to hold the strut, I have the use of air tools but most places will just do a small quick job for very little or free, its very very quick this way if you can do it.

[Jezzy]

Kinda hard to nip down to a garage when your car is in bits and you daren't leave your tools unattended, scattered on the drive. lol

[vxpenfold]

just dont undo the centre nut without compressors on as it could leave you in a ruddy , ive seen a nut be just wizzed off and it nearly took the guys head off, missed him by mm and flew the length of the workshop, so be ruddy careful, much better to take the strut off but it might be easier to just undo the nut a couple of turns with it on the car to make sure it is free to move

[paulhb]

I'll probably be replacing my front coil springs and shocks sometime during the next couple of months, so I'm working out the easiest method of disassembling the strut. This is what I plan to do:

Leave the strut bolted to the turret with the three Torx screws, then put a 21mm spark plug socket over the threaded spindle, and insert a T50 bit through the centre of the spark plug. I gave this a test run today, using a 3/8" spark plug socket and the hole in the middle wasn't big enough for the T50 bit to go through it. So, my question for those who have used this method is, if I use a 1/2" spark plug socket instead of 3/8", would that allow a T50 through? (I don't have a 1/2" socket at the moment to try it, but they're easilly available). Or, do I instead need to find a T50 bit without a bulky attachment on it instead?

It works a treat Jezzy very simple and effective I have done it this way on 1/2 dozen cars but you do need 1/2" push the rubber spark plug holder out though

[kentish_bloke]

I did mine as you're suggesting, but the bigger spark plug socket is better, just put a bit of WD40 where the Torx key goes through, I found that helped it turn inside the hole.

Also, I only slackened the nut, then took the whole strut off, used the compressors & completed the dismantling and reassembley while off the car, finally tightening the strut top bolt when It's back on the car.

[chrisvectra]

I did mine as you're suggesting, but the bigger spark plug socket is better, just put a bit of WD40 where the Torx key goes through, I found that helped it turn inside the hole.

Also, I only slackened the nut, then took the whole strut off, used the compressors & completed the dismantling and reassembley while off the car, finally tightening the strut top bolt when It's back on the car.

thats what i did also

[Jezzy]

Cheers fellas. I'll just be loosening the nut a little while the strut is in place, before removing the strut and bolting on the spring compressors. Seems easier to crack the nut that way rather than wrestling with it on the ground and holding the T50 at the same time.

[vxpenfold]

indeed it is lol i made than mistake doing mine as they had been gunned up really tight so i just dumped em in my dads car and took a trip to my mates who has a decent snap-on battery gun and be buzzed em straight off for us, when i did my mate corsa a loosened em first lol, much easier

[jrh1]

I bought a large allen key and used this with the 21mm socket. The allen key has a plastic coated handle and was sold as a brake product.