Front shock absorbers

[Dreamachine]

Hi anyone know how to replace the strut inserts

[Peter-S]

Hi anyone know how to replace the strut inserts

Yes I do!

How much info do you need? The whole front strut assembly needs to come off then there is a large nut on the top of the main cylinder which unscrews and the insert will then come out. I think there may have been a special tool for the nut back in the day but large mole grips or wrench will do the job.

[Andrew 2.8i]

Hi,
Have you already taken the spring off?

Andrew.

[Dreamachine]

I've got the spring out. I've tried grips on the top but it's not budging

[Dreamachine]

I wasn't going to change it..but it is slightly leaking oil out of the top

[Dreamachine]

Will it be clockwise or anti clockwise to undo

[Peter-S]

Will it be clockwise or anti clockwise to undo

It's anti clockwise. If you have access to a large vice to hold the unit it makes life easier.

[Dreamachine]

Yeah I've got a vice.ill try that at the weekend.cheers peter

[Dreamachine]

If there's oil leaking from the top of the shocks..would it be advisable to change them

[Paul G]

If there's oil leaking from the top of the shocks..would it be advisable to change them

Yes, they're f****d if they're leaking and will fail an MOT as well as making the car bouncy to drive.

[Dreamachine]

Ok thanks Paul

[Peter-S]

If there's oil leaking from the top of the shocks..would it be advisable to change them

It depends where the oil is leaking from. The inserts that Paul has posted elsewhere sit in oil in the main cylinder. It might be that oil that's leaking. The struts can rust through where the cup that the spring sits in joins the cylinder casing which will let fluid leak out. If the insert itself is leaking then definitely change it.

[pbar]

I've got the spring out. I've tried grips on the top but it's not budging

Probably a bit late now (unless you put the strut back in place), but it may have been easier to loosen the nut whilst the strut is still on the car. That's how I did it when I had mine off anyway.

[pbar]

....And if you have the original nuts on still, they are locked into place with a hammer/punch.

[Peter-S]

....And if you have the original nuts on still, they are locked into place with a hammer/punch.

I know the nut on the top of the insert in the engine bay is like that but I'm not sure that the nut that holds the insert in to the cylinder casing is, is it?

[Dreamachine]

Ok I can't see them being the original ones

[Dreamachine]

They are like a round washer with 2 cut outs

[fordperv]

Ok I can't see them being the original ones

You may think but when I stripped my laser front legs a couple of months ago I found the originals still in place so it is possible

[Dreamachine]

Surely these don't last 35 years before replacing especially if they are a mot failure