Rear Struts

[kwnelson]

I have started and aborted this subject twice, and either been distracted or just given up trying to write this up and to make sense, once again here goes.        Back in Nov 18 I bought a pair of good condition used struts which have been laid in my shed, mainly because when the MOT was done in Sep 18 [when Eric passed] there was an advisory that the N/S rear strut was misting hydraulic fluid, and to avoid this causing a fail next time round.  fitted them both over a short period.   Big struggle loosing all fitting, must have been fitted with some sort of lock tight + a generous amount of crusty rust.   Did the n/s first and with some real foresight bought a pair rear anti roll bar links [wondered why there were so many advertised on ebay ], yes they were  needed. all this was generously saturated with penetrating oil, really a waste of time. both roll bar links had to be removed by use of an angle grinder, also knackered one of the main strut bolt/nuts, [2 days delivery by Toyota Northallerton nut+bolt £12]      "How to" describes how to elsewhere this is a warning regarding purchasing roll  links, and making sure you can loosen and remove all nuts and bolts without destroying them!
But yes this was all well worth while, handling is transformed and the ride much less bouncy.   Now, about the front?

[Bossworld]

Got some brand new front bits for sale if you're interested, just started a for sale thread.

Can believe it makes a big difference, my mum's MR2 has done half the miles of mine and it rides much better.

[kwnelson]

Thanks for that Bossworld.   If you can match the price that I paid for my rears you have got a buyer £50 for the pair delivered?    Don't want any fancy coil overs or the like!

[Bossworld]

Thanks for that Bossworld.   If you can match the price that I paid for my rears you have got a buyer £50 for the pair delivered?    Don't want any fancy coil overs or the like!

Can't go that low mate sorry, I paid £55 alone for one of the fronts back in Feb and only selling because I've changed route to second hand parts.  One of the breakers may have some serviceable ones though.

[kwnelson]

I think you are correct Bossworld,  Breakers may be the best.  the pr of rears cost £50, and are in very good nick, these plus 2 links and sundry bits and pieces totaled £87.    My target for the front swap will be similar, but I am still recovering from the physical effort so I am not in a hurry to do he front struts!   However,  should I have a wind fall, I will keep you in mind!

[james_ly]

Fronts are easier because you don't need to touch the droplinks. But yeah for the strut bolts I'd borrow/invest in an impact gun, they are very tight!

[Bossworld]

I think you are correct Bossworld,  Breakers may be the best.  the pr of rears cost £50, and are in very good nick, these plus 2 links and sundry bits and pieces totaled £87.    My target for the front swap will be similar, but I am still recovering from the physical effort so I am not in a hurry to do he front struts!   However,  should I have a wind fall, I will keep you in mind!

I tried pricing up a full swap at about £300 and I just couldn't get near, which is mad when you consider how little it would cost for four corners on a Focus or Golf etc. 

But yes, to the point below, I ended up buying an impact wrench yesterday (budget for the year blown).

[kwnelson]

We seem to have fired up other posts regarding struts/shocks/springs Bossworld, with contributions from Shnazzle, Jon S, Ardent, and Frogger!   Great stuff.   Excellent photo's Bossworld of your nice shiny bits, whats wrong with using them?   My bits do not hang about long enough to take photo's, my bits need to be back on to make sure Eric is back on the road , so as to continue my recent spate of going topless.   But, having said all that I too am now looking to break the bank and go Impact Wrenching, and as they say "Looking for recommendations?"

[1979scotte]

We seem to have fired up other posts regarding struts/shocks/springs Bossworld, with contributions from Shnazzle, Jon S, Ardent, and Frogger!   Great stuff.   Excellent photo's Bossworld of your nice shiny bits, whats wrong with using them?   My bits do not hang about long enough to take photo's, my bits need to be back on to make sure Eric is back on the road , so as to continue my recent spate of going topless.   But, having said all that I too am now looking to break the bank and go Impact Wrenching, and as they say "Looking for recommendations?"

@tomaky likes his impact wrench.
Beware the cheaper impact drivers they may do the job but are actually meant for carpentry drylining etc.

[Bossworld]

We seem to have fired up other posts regarding struts/shocks/springs Bossworld, with contributions from Shnazzle, Jon S, Ardent, and Frogger!   Great stuff.   Excellent photo's Bossworld of your nice shiny bits, whats wrong with using them?   My bits do not hang about long enough to take photo's, my bits need to be back on to make sure Eric is back on the road , so as to continue my recent spate of going topless.   But, having said all that I too am now looking to break the bank and go Impact Wrenching, and as they say "Looking for recommendations?"

The car started out as a cheap (£1700 Inc the hard top) hobby and has somewhat spiralled out of control to about £3k sunk into it over three years. Given I only use it for about 4k miles a year and it's got 135k on the clock, £400 worth of suspension probably isn't a sound investment 

I bought this - Scott's point stands as the only demo video I can find on YouTube shows it being used for driving coach bolts but the specs seem OK for the money. On the other hand, the review from yesterday doesn't look great

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/energizer-ezccb18v2b2auk-18v-brushless-portable-impact-wrench-2-x-20ah-batteries-charger-case-uk-planet-tools-3227943#comment-37656635

[kwnelson]

.Regarding impact wrenches, and having read Bossworlds post on the pro's and cons of these "expensive for a proper one"

[kwnelson]

Continue,  And on the advise of my car crazy Son [78 Capri 3ltr, 16 5ltr  BMW M5, Astra van workhorse]  I have decided to not buy one.    Instead it would appear to be sensible to borrow, beg or steal, when the need arises, or just carry on doing it the hard way!

[JoeCool]

RE dealing with the strut bolts, I've yet to meet a suspension bolt my 21" breaker bar and 6 sided impact sockets can't undo. You need a 19mm (IIRC) spanner on the other end to stop it just spinning the bolt, but it's all do-able on the driveway, even for those of us without access to high pressure air or impact drivers.

(That said, I'd give my eye-teeth for a compressor and decent air tools some days)

[kwnelson]

Joecool,  Just ordered a set of impact sockets prior to reading your post, already have a substitute  for a breaker bar, just need to get built up Arny S style.     GRRRRRRRR!