What else do I need for Type 44 strut replacement?

[Beatty, Robert]

I have purchased a set of spring compressors from Ocean State Job Lot (a
"guys" type of dollar store) and it cost me 11$.  I havent used them yet,
but as soon as i get my blistiens for the front of the car and the strut
bearings I will be changing my entire suspension to Eibach/Blisteins.  The
compressors are just a pair of threaded metal rods about a foot in length
and with a pair of hooks to clip onto the spring.  Tighting the rod then
compresses the springs.  I'll let you all know how it goes when i do it.

Rob

-----Original Message-----
From: Wallace White [mailto:wallace at stanfordalumni.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2001 11:03 AM
To: Peter Golledge
Cc: Keith Lawyer; quattro at audifans.com
Subject: Re: What else do I need for Type 44 strut replacement?


> > The time has come to replace the front struts on my
> > '89 200.  I saw awhile back where a fellow lister
> > recommended new upper strut mounts, bump stops, and
> > dust sleeves.  According to The Parts Connection
> > there's also an upper retaining bearing in the upper
> > strut mount?
> 
> To do the bearing will require removing the strut from
> the car, I would expect that the alignment will be suspect
> if you do this.

Not quite, but almost. I replaced one of my strut bearings by
compressing the spring down far enough to be able to reach up there, but
without removing the strut completely. It was such a pain that I didn't
do that on the other side.

Other than the strut bearing, you can replace everything else from the
top. Inserts, dust covers, upper bearing plate... I can't think of
anything else off hand.

- Wallace
  '87 5kcstq 170k