Coilover fitting - harder than it looks

[manicmonkey]

pics here -> http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l134/the_wanderer_01/

took me an hour to get it jacked up properly, then got as far as the top mount... didnt have a 21mm spanner, so i tried using a 21mm socket, a metric spanner to turn the socket and a screwdriver with a hex-piece on the end, slotted though the center. oh, and with a monkey wrench to hold the screwdriver still.... (screwdriver is now fucked btw)

the problem ive got now is a loud scrapping noise from the suspension when turning the wheel at low speed. i think this might have something too with when i just span the socket round a couple of times without trying to hold the center bit still. i stopped after i heard some scrapping and a couple of bangs. :S

Sound like its snapped something?

gonna get mark fish to sort it i think

 

[Fred@BTM]

have you got the coilovers on yet??

the banging you hear is the spring popping out of the shock

you should've undone the top mount before jacking the car up, much easier as the car's weight is on them

you're axle stands are in an odd position, i would suggest using the box sections behind the subframe

impact gun (£20 jobbie) works wonder on the top mounts to get them off

 

[manicmonkey]

nah, i gave up after i couldnt get the top mounts off!

i mite have another bash at doing it myself tonight, undoing the top mounts before lifting, as you suggest.

Im not sure exactly where the box section you suggest is, is it the trianglur piece of metal about 50cm towards the back of the car (as shown on http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l...rent=DSC00428.jpg&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch5)?

I wanted to get the axle stands as far forward as possible, as ive noticed when jacking the car up, that the rear wheel also lifts up! So i didnt want the engine pulling the car over onto its nose! lol

cheers

 

[tidyclio]

not sure if this is how the above post meant it but the scraping noise will mean the spring has come out of it location under the shock top cap.
why not just go to your local tools place and buy the proper tool a swanneck 21mm spanner their only around a fiver and will come on handy

 

[Fred@BTM]

just use an impact gun, muchos easier, £9.99 i paid for mine from halfords!

 

[manicmonkey]

if its that cheap, id be stupid not to get myself an impact gun!