Solid20vq

I have access to shop space, a jack, and jackstands. The shop has compressed air and a hammer-wrench.

Last year I removed the front strut assemblies to get the cartridges replaced. I did it without air tools (never again) and without the proper press to remove the tie-rods (luckily not damaging anything).

Are the rear struts more difficult than the front? If I could remove the assemblies myself, would I be able to replace the cartridges with a rented spring compressor?

yodasfro

Rears are slightly easier or more of PITA depending on which way you look at. Access to the top nut is a little harder but you don't have tierods to deal with. I suggest getting the proper tools for the slotted nuts and the top nut. They can be found on eBay for a reasonable price. In pinch a 22mm 02 sensor crowsfoot socket from your FLAPS will work for the top nut almost better in fact than the factory tool.

IdahoDoug

Yoda,

That's a great piece of info on the crowfoot tool - thanks. I'll be doing this in the summer, I suspect. So, is there a source for the cartridge dampers? I tend to prefer stock settings, if that is available via aftermarket.

yodasfro

Plenty of sources for the inserts. You need first decide how much you want to spend then choose a brand. Stock would be sachs/boge. Kyb bilstein koni even monroe all make the inserts.

IdahoDoug

Thanks - those are more reasonable than I expected.

Doug

IdahoDoug

So, resurrecting this thread because I'm moving toward doing it now. Mine are the cartridge style, so I'll be securing a set of those for the rear. I'm wondering if anyone knows what else I should replace at the same time on the strut, such as a rubber isolator, nuts, lock washers, etc. I have no idea, just throwing those out as thought starters. This is one of those projects where it pays to ask because once you are in there and find something like a shredded rubber part the car is disabled for days waiting for a little part. So, what else should I get?

Thanks. And I will be getting a 22mm oxy crows foot per above advice - thanks.

DougM

CRAZY_RUSSIAN

get the new mounts... thats the only thing i can think about

IdahoDoug

I guess I'm looking for more specifics here. Not sure what a "mount" is? Without looking at a parts diagram, (which I don't have), I'd imagine there are spacer rings, rubber pads (top? Bottom? Both?), fasteners, and maybe even a special tool or two required? Some reusable, others must be replaced, etc. Dunno. If someone's done this, it would be great to have a specific list of suggested items to buy so I don't get halfway through it with the car disabled and discover I'm missing a deteriorated rubber ring or something.

Thanks in advance.