Removing shock retaining nut ...

[gerard@dockside.co.za]

Hi!

My front shocks lasted 1 week in my 200t. I have the
option of replacing them now, but I need to take the
shocks out of the struts and return them for the new
ones. I paid $50 last time to fit the new ones. I do
not wish to cough up much needed cash to have someone
remove them and to have the car stand around in some
workshop (being charged by the hour!) while I organise
the exchange at the factory. So I might as well pull the
car into my garage and remove the things myself.

Questions:

   1. How to remove shock retaining nut from strut without
      special equipment and tighten it to specified 150+ Nm?

   2. Is it possible to buy a shock retaining nut remover
      (as is available for some GM cars) that can turn the
      nut by accessing it from the location of the strut
      mounting?

   3. I guess I will need 2 spring compressors, but don't
      need to jack the car up, right?

   4. Routine for removing the strut mount, bearing plates
      and all that stuff from the top of the car?

What's the bet the cost of the spring compressors and other
stuff will run the same amount as I would pay to have the
units removed elsewhere? Typical. :P

Thanks for any help and sorry if this has been done on the
list before.

Regards,
G.

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