DShox Posted January 14, 2006 Share Posted January 14, 2006 Hi, A couple of weeks ago I put rear Bilsteins onto my Soop. I'm about to do the same to the front - are there any special tips to bear in mind when doing the front as compared to the rear? Are there drop links on the front? Thanks, D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zed Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 You know you can change the shocks without removing the drop links, I did mine in the summer, only to find that after fitting the new shocks the suspension started rattling due to worn drop links !! To remove the shocks I used a 4 foot long piece of wood to lever down the anti roll bar, this provided enough clearance to avoid the drop link nut and remove the shock. Hope this is of some help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaGSi Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Just done this last tuesday and used the above method. Worked really well and is quite simple. Alot less hassle than I first thought. Gaz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShox Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 oh right - i tried taking the link off but they just dont shift cos the bolt turns with the thread after a few turns! on the rear - i really struggled levering the rear wishbone down and just dont think it would have moved half as much without takin off the link. i couldnt turn the big bolt connecting the lower shock to the wishbone either - i seriously need to work out more cos it was solid as hell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 oh right - i tried taking the link off but they just dont shift cos the bolt turns with the thread after a few turns! you do know you need an allen key in 1 side of the screw bit thingy... Then you turn the bolt yea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShox Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 really - i didnt see a hole for an allen key in the drop link? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 really - i didnt see a hole for an allen key in the drop link? yep look again. its normally filled with crap and rusted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShox Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 ooo - will do thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonB Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Trouble is it's very easy to round off the alen key socket. In fact both of my front links were impossible to get off without doing this. Had to buy new ones and resort to mole grips on the ball part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Trouble is it's very easy to round off the alen key socket. In fact both of my front links were impossible to get off without doing this. Had to buy new ones and resort to mole grips on the ball part. Same happend to me. I used an angle grinder. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShox Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 well i sawed off my rears with a coping saw and stuck new ones on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 well i sawed off my rears with a coping saw and stuck new ones on! Coping saw? forget that!! You Should have just got out the Kango! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 OK which bit of taking the shocks off doesn't require spring compressors? Or is levering with bits of wood the other way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JODY T Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I thought you only compressed the spring when the shock/Spring unit itself was out of the car, Unless Soops are diff to everyother car ive lowered...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 i took off the upper wishbone arm and the anti roll bar links and the shock drops out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShox Posted January 16, 2006 Author Share Posted January 16, 2006 i dont reckon you always need em taking the shocks out but you certainly do when putting back in. to be honest, all this talk of dropping out - i wrestled my struts all the way. maybe the length matters but even getting my oem bilsteins in required big force from a thick long screw driver to push the bottom of the shock over the wishbone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffvalenti Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 When I did mine, I found that the rears required a lot more levering than the fronts. The fronts required more things to be dismantled but went in and out fairly easily, the rears were difficult on my own. With help, one levering and the other locating the shock, they weren't too bad. You will need spring compressors for taking the springs on and off the shocks, but not until you've got the suspension unit off the car. Don't even consider removing the central nut on the unit, until you've got the spring compressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShox Posted January 16, 2006 Author Share Posted January 16, 2006 so basically i dont need to remove front drop links and dont need spring compressors for removing and replacing my units. i aim to simply undo the bolts holding the shocks onto the bonnet and bottom securing bolt to the wishbone. then with a big lever, i should be able to force down the wishbone...correcto? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zed Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 That's about right, you'll need spring compressors if you want to re-use the same spring or top mounts. Remember to loosen the centre nut in the top mount if you are going to re-use them, but not too much !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DShox Posted January 18, 2006 Author Share Posted January 18, 2006 thanks zed - will do the jobby in the manana on saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now