RE: Notes on shock absorber replacement

["Livolsi, Stephane" <livols1@investorsgroup.com>]

A very timely post my friend, as I am planning on replacing the front
shocks on my 86 5K this weekend.  Now if I can only ascertain that there
were no major changes in the front suspension from 86 to 88...... 

regards
Stephane Livolsi
180 Yorston St
Williams Lake, BC, V2G 3Z1
ph 250-392-2637
fax 250-392-2693

'86 5KTQ stock (if you don't know what it means, you aren't in the club)

>----------
>From: 	Andrew Pawlisz[SMTP:apawlisz@tufts.edu]
>Sent: 	September 23, 1999 7:17 AM
>To: 	Quattro List
>Subject: 	Notes on shock absorber replacement
>
>Just did the front shocks on a 88 5ksq.  I could not beleive how easy it
>was.  Indeed, one does not have to remove the struts to do the job, not
>even the wheel!
>
>Here are some observations that can be useful to others:
>
>1. Tools needed: 7/8 wrench or oxygen sensor socket, 6 mm hex key, 13-mm
>socket, a large pipe wrench, and a floor jack (a regular tire jack might
>also work).
>
>2. In my experience, the large round cartridge nut should be loosened
>first.  The car might need to be lifted slightly to open-up the spring.
>It is best that the tire still touches the ground so that the strut do
>not flex when the force (lots of it) is applied to undo the nut.  I have
>found the nuts to be tight, but not too bad of an effort when using the
>big wrench.
>
>3. The removal of the 7/8 top nut was the most difficult part of the
>job.  I was able to undo one of the nuts by simply turining it.
>However, the other side was not so easy.  The strut shaft would spin
>together with the nut.  I tried the oxygen sensor socket/6 mm hex method
>but without luck.  The hex would flex like crazy and in the end it
>stripped the hole.  To go around this problem I undid the 13-mm nuts and
>withdrew the strut with the strut bearing still attached.  Then, I
>slapped it on the ground, held the shaft with a pipe wrench, and turned
>the nut hard.  It took a lot of force to get it undone.  I almost had to
>step on both wrenches.
>
>4. It is easier to reassemble the shock when the strut bearing is placed
>on the shaft before the cartridge is slipped into the strut.  Also, the
>car should not be lifted too high or it is difficult to refit the strut
>bearing.
>
>5. Since this is only a family/ daily beater car I went with Gabriels.
>They were only $30 a piece.  The only problem is that the shaft can no
>longer be held stationary with a 6-mm hex.  The new tool is a star
>(imperial).  I went with the 7/8 wrench and a star socket to retighten
>the strut nut.
>
>6. It took me 3 hours to do this job (the first-timer).
>
>The improvement in the ride was immense.  No more clunks, unstability,
>bouncing, vague steering, or dives on braking.  The satisfaction with
>the job well done is another matter (gloat, gloat).
>
>
>I am planning to repar a torn CV boot later this evening.  Stay tuned
>for more observations.
>
>Thanks quattro list.
>
>Andrew
>Boston, MA
>88 5ksq
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>immediate , and job satisfaction gratifying.
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