Front strut shock removal help

[Paolobuchberger]

Hey guys,

Was about to launch into my Easter project of replacing springs and shocks on the 1980 Sud Sprint when on reading the Haynes manual it tells you that you need an expert and special tools to get the shock absorber insert out of the strut once the stut is out

Anyone done this without the special tools? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

paolo

[SprintnSud]

I read the same thing a while back and sometime later was stripping a sud and thought I would see what they were on about. I couldn't find any complication at all and was able to remove and refit the strut insert with no difficulty and no special tools.

I don't think Haynes did a great job on the front suspension part of the manual. From memory they also tell you need to drop the CV, press it out of the bearing carrier etc before removing the strut. I find it much easier to just undo the four bolts that hold the strut to the bearing carrier. Just undo 3 of the bolts completely and remove them, then clamp to strut base to the bearing carrier and remove the forth bolt (this isn't 100% necessary but makes it easier to get the the last bolt out cleanly.)

[Paolobuchberger]

Thanks for that.

I have a spare set of struts and front suspension, drive shafts and all - that I plan to fit the new springs and strut inserts to and then just replace the loton my car.

I'll get the springs compressed and off then see if there is anything different about mine. I assume not.