rear tie rods and front struts

[Ameer Antar]

Usually, it's a good idea to examine and replace worn parts in the suspension
when replacing shocks. I live in New England and the roads are harsh in winter,
with salt and cold attacking the metal and rubber. I know there will be a ton of
worn parts in my 5kT, so that's what I'll have to do.  But, if the suspension in the
car is in good shape, and it's just bad shocks, then replacing the inserts from the
top is the way to go. I think all of us could benefit from a reasonably priced tool,
especially for those who want to experiment w/ different types of shocks...I'd buy
one.

-ameer

---Original Message---
>
>To: Ameer Antar <antar at attbi.com>
>From: B Vibert <blur at sympatico.ca>
>Date: 8/13/2002 4:11:29 PM
>Subject: Re: rear tie rods and front struts
>
>To simply do 5k strut inserts you don't have to remove the strut. I
>borrowed the factory tool for the weekend and made a copy, it works
>great, just pull everything out from the top.   I can do both struts
>in about half and hour without even jacking up the car.
>
>Maybe I should market these tools, hmmm.
>
>Burl Vibert
>1987 5kcstq
>Kingston, Ontario
>
>
>Ameer Antar wrote:
>>
>> I don't know about the rear, as I have a 5kT, but for the front, you can get
>away
>> w/ normal shadetree tools. That's one of the reason's why I think the Haynes
>as
>> well Bentley manuals are important to have around. The Bentley tells you how
>
>> Audi wants you to do it, and the Haynes gives you how an actual mechanic
migh
>t
>> go at it. Anyway, for the front, you just need to be able to loosen the drive
>shaft
>> nuts, using a 32mm socket and breaker bar. Then you need to remove the tie-
ro
>d
>> from the strut assembly. Also you need to separate the lower control arm ball
>-joint
>> from the assembly. After that you just remove the 3 outer nuts around the str
>ut
>> mounting and the whole assembly willl come out after pressing out the drivesh
>aft
>> from the hub. Beyond that, when disassembling the unit, you need a spring-
>> compressor.