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Posted on Nov 08, 2009
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Do i need a spring compresser to be able to remove the front shocks

1 Answer

Anonymous

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  • Master 523 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 09, 2009
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Joined: Aug 16, 2009
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No you do not need to compress the springs to install new shocks. Todays shocks have a nitrogen charge; you'll note your new shocks will have a cable on them. Install the lower portion of the shock, next with the upper end aimed to where you want it to go, cut the cable holding the shock back. The nitrogen within the shock will cause it to slowly extend. If you cut the cable prior to install you'll need to compress the shock and wire in down in to place for install.
Please let me know if this helped,
Tom

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jun 25, 2008

SOURCE: shocks/struts on 94 mustang gt

no, just replaced mine, springs are independent of shocks and struts

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Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Apr 10, 2009

SOURCE: right rear shock absorber detached from the top mounting point

Turns out that after 26 years and 233 thousand miles, the original strut gave up the ghost: Rust! I took the shock strut assembly out of a 'spare parts' Honda Accord I keep and replaced the broken one in the Honda I am now driving. Mechanically the car is still excellent, but the car is destined to dissolve around me! To remove the whole assembly required taking out one 14mm bolt at the bottom and three 12mm bolts at the top, some WD 40, several pieces of wood for leverage and a heavy mallet.. Since there is a heavy duty coil spring involved, one should take out the bottom bolt first and lift the bottom of the strut free from its position, ( this is where I used a long 2x4 and another piece of wood as the fulcrum point to pry the strut upward) Then undo the top 3 bolts and the whole unit falls out. You will also need to detach the brake fluid line that uses the strut itself as an anchor. The easiest way is to take the line off from the back of the brake drum housing ( 9mm nut) and remove the horseshoe clip and push the curved metal brake line through the small hole where the line is anchored to the strut. Use care as you will need to reattach the brake line again after installing the next shock strut. (Coil spring compression tool required) Needless to say, you will need to jack the car up and remove the rear tire first to access the whole thing.

Anonymous

  • 10 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 11, 2009

SOURCE: 91 Audi 100 (non-quattro) needs front shocks replaced

You can pull the shock out from the top but you need special tools. The easiest way for a novice to do it is to pull the strut assembly out of the car, then compress the spring and remove the strut.

Anonymous

  • 104 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 16, 2009

SOURCE: how do you compress a shock absorber spring

You need a special tool to compress the spring and these are available from the auto shop. Make sure you get a good quality one and be very careful it doesn't slip because there is a lot of stored energy when the spring is compressed.

Anonymous

  • 10865 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 16, 2010

SOURCE: Do I have to compress the coil springs to remove

Hello Henry. No. The removal of the front shocks is straight forward. To review the steps involved go to this link http://www.ehow.com/how_5085430_replace-shocks-chevy-truck.html

joe

Testimonial: "Wow, kwick response with easy to follow instructions. Thanks"

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Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

I need to change my front shocks on my 2007 Yukon xl Denali. The bottom of the coil springs are resting on top of a bracket attached to my shock body. Can I compress the springs and drop the shocks down...

yes use two jacks will help you with compressing the springs one at a time and then use the clamps that you can use from Advance Auto Parts to help you to compress them.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Kit-1--Strut-Spring-Compressor-Kit-(2--piece)-Powerbuilt-Tools_9150007-P_N3492_T%7CGRP2083___

This is the web site what they look like but make sure you have both of them on there correctly or they will come off and KILL YOU so safety first always when dealing with strong springs !!!
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1-how can i repair the suspension system? 2- how can i close the light of the system of protection against shocks(airbag). With the knowledge that the car is exposed to shock thank you

Please raise the car 3ft,remove front tire,remove the front steering lingkages.remove the 2 nut on the bolt of the shock absorber.remove the strut bolt of the wheel.get a special tools or coil spring compresser to compres the coil spring then remove the upper bolt of the shock absorber,replace the shock,replace the clock spring of the steering wheel.
0helpful
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I need to remove and replace front shocks on a 1998 cadillac eldorado. what tools do i need?

the main tools your going to need are ball joint splitter, spring compressor to compress the suspensions spring without compressing this you would do injury to anyone around you if you undone the cap holding the spring on the shock absorber as its under loads of tension so you need to compress the spring enough so it loose and moves around on the shock then you can undo the big center nut holding the cap on top of the spring, you will also need a socket set and spanners, its not a big job and quite easy to do but without ball joint splitter and spring compressor its just not possible to do.
1helpful
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Replacing the shocks & struts

If your not very mechanically inclined , Its best & safe for you & others not to try to change out struts. But if you are inclined, then this is what you need to do the job. Struts are shock absorbers that are inside of a highly compressed spring. You will need spring compressors that you can buy or rent at your local auto parts stores. You need to compress the spring before removing the center shock. If you do not compress the spring sufficiently the shock can come out at a high rate of speed causing injury to you & others. You will need to compress the spring from both sides, ( opposite from each other ) if you install a spring compressor on one side just put the other tool right across from it on the same spring. compressing the spring evenly on both sides. Not all at one time just on one side of the spring. After doing so remove the top & bottom nuts of the shock. Your rented or bought spring compressor should come with directions & illastrations to better assist you with the job. Good Luck.
2helpful
1answer

How to change front shocks

technically you do not have front "shocks" you have struts.. they are encased in a spring housing that would need to be removed from the car.. compressed, then change out the cartridges.. you can rent the spring compressor from stores like auto zone and pep boys.. you will need to have your front alignment done afterward.
0helpful
1answer

How to change Front shocks on a jetta

You'll need to unbolt the top of the strut and the bottom of the strut at the steering knuckle. You'll need a spring compressor to compress the spring before seperating the strut from the strut mount and spring. You may want to replace the strut mount also. MAKE SURE THE SPRING IS COMPRESSED ENOUGH BEFORE REMOVING THE TOP STRUT MOUNT!!!!
0helpful
1answer

Front and strut replacement, how?

Yes, you need a spring compressor. The sturt and coil spring come off as one. Then you need to compress spring to remove strut. The old one off and the new one on and then un-compress the spring and remount in car.
Sounds simple, but it can take a while.
0helpful
1answer

2004 Ford Explorer front shocks are worn out

Remove the front wheel.
Locate and remove the 3 nuts on the upper frame mount,top of the shock.(torque 20 ft lb)
Remove the nut on the sway bar link.(torque 18 ft lb)
Remove the lower bolt that goes thru lower control arm and shock.(torque 258 ft lb)
Then use a spring compressor to compress spring and remove the nut on the spring plate.(41 ft lb)
0helpful
1answer

91 Audi 100 (non-quattro) needs front shocks replaced

You can pull the shock out from the top but you need special tools. The easiest way for a novice to do it is to pull the strut assembly out of the car, then compress the spring and remove the strut.
0helpful
1answer

Replace front shock absorbers

My answer is not going to help you because not only do you need specialized equipment, but you will need special experience to perform this job.

You would be required to completely remove the entire front strut assembly from the car. It has to be safety set up on jacks. Once you have the strut assembly out of the car, special spring clamps are needed to compress the heavy spring that is part of the strut. These require very special clamps that compress the springs. If this is not done right, it can conceivably kill a person.

Once the spring has been removed, the strut it self must be removed from the strut housing using an impact wrench.

Once both sides are changed, the car must be realigned in the front end, otherwise the car will not steer or track properly.

Over all, this is a major job. These are not shock absorbers, as you would know them, but are called McPherson struts.


If you would like to contact me again about this or other problems, feel free to do so.
Bill
ASE Master Technician
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