Au v8 front strut replacement help

[BHDOGS]

My passenger side strut has **** itself so I've decided to be brave and replace it myself i brought some Monroe struts to go in and will be buying a torque wrench to allow myself to torque it back together properly what's a good brand? Also do I need to put locktite on the bolts when I put them back in? And any other help or info is appreciated I've looked at the walkthrough in technical help seems easy enough just want anymore info they might of missed.
Cheers bhdogs

[Sox]

A torque wrench isn't really needed, and neither is locktite as they are locknuts.
You will need spring compressors though, unless you bought the whole spring/shock assembly.

[BHDOGS]

Alright cool id of brought a torque wrench already but *** there expensive can't seem to find them or breaker bars second hand either everything on the car I change seems to be ten years old u reckon it's worth doing ball joints and tie rod ends to as there cheap enough to buy

[Sox]

Go to a junk shop or you local tool market for a breaker bar, they're usually good enough for that type of thing, and stronger than a ratchet.

As for ball joints and tie rods, jack it up and check them, you won't gain anything by replacing joints that aren't worn except a lighter wallet.

[BHDOGS]

Wise words sox when I get my new locknut from ford after breaking old one I'll be able to jack it up and check before I do strut

[BHDOGS]

tried it and failed couldnt get the bottome shock bolt to budge unless u got a breaker bar or a ratchet gun i wouldnt bother hahah

[SLO247]

Try using a hammer, or brace yourself and use the strength in your leg. You only need to crack it, then you can hold the bolt and undo the nut. Note which way they go in too.

Make sure when you reassemble the struts that you line the top mounting studs up with the holes in the shock tower too.

[blownv8au]

Breaker bar and a bit of pipe or two spanners linked together. leverage is your friend.

[BHDOGS]

tried hammer, wood,the bar on my jack it wouldnt budge i tried praying to no go.

[blownv8au]

Are you undoing the nut or the bolt. the nut will have a heap less friction and is easier to undo. and a silly question are you going the right way. i ask as they shouldn't be extremely tight, but in saying that when i changed out my ebs front end everything had been done by a rattle gun tossers.

[BHDOGS]

yes lefty loosey righty tighty im assuming rattle gun was used so ive put it off gonna take it to the local midas pay em some money to lossen off both bottom bolts then just do it myself and not use the force of he man, roger ramjet and the terminator to put it back on.

[svo supporter]

Use a breaker bar and belt it with a hammer. If you don't succeed there, use a bigger hammer. Works for me everytime. Just brace the breaker bar when you hit it. Might need a few hits to loosen them, but persistance pays off.

IMA, I have had these bolts that tight a rattle gun won't look at them, so having them rattled up isn't a reason they can't be undone.

[BHDOGS]

New problem when doing up the top shocker bolt the entire shocker shaft spins what's the safest way to hold it as u do it up?

[Sox]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

New problem when doing up the top shocker bolt the entire shocker shaft spins what's the safest way to hold it as u do it up?

The very top of the shock, above the thread, should have small flats with which you can attach a small spanner or shifter.

[Whoosha]

The internal shaft of the shocker at the very top has its edges squared so you can hold it with a small spanner or shifter ,Use a ring spanner on the nut while holding the shaft by the top with the small shifter to stop it from spinning

[BHDOGS]

Champions! This forum rocks

[SLO247]

Yeah its a bit tricky sometimes that top bit!

The backs are easier though as long as you have the old live axle.

I've never done an IRS rear. Is it the same as the front fellas?

[Whoosha]

Originally Posted by SLO247

Yeah its a bit tricky sometimes that top bit!

The backs are easier though as long as you have the old live axle.

I've never done an IRS rear. Is it the same as the front fellas?

More or less just don't need the coils compressed for the rears.

[BHDOGS]

The book says the rear ones just unscrew without needing to take spring ect. Out on live axle

[BHDOGS]

I great success all done cheers guys

[Whoosha]

AND ANOTHER HAPPY CUSTOMER

[BHDOGS]

Yeh they were both totaly screwed I'd say they were original Monroe's but who would use them for 10 years :s gonna do the back ones next

[SLO247]

I just have the standard XR6 VCT springs in mine, I don't have to compress the coils at all!? That means I can undo the top nut and its not under pressure, correct?

[BHDOGS]

I used compressor springs anyway just to be safe there only 35 bucks
And I only needed to compress them two or three inches just so they moved abit nothing major

[SLO247]

I just mean the IRS rears regarding Whoosha's advice.

I have a few sets of compressors here, I just want to insert some washers under the top nuts in the rear to stop some play. I want to do it in car however, and If I can safely undo those top nuts in car I'll do it.

I believe the rear mounts were done in mine, I'm hoping to stop the play. Otherwise I'll have to do the mounts.

I've only really ever played with E series cars so IRS is new to me.

Good to hear you got it sorted!

[Whoosha]

If your referring to the shocker nuts yes you can undo the rears in car.