Dismantling suspension strut.Nis\'n Sunny

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 9 Jan 2004 10:45
Dismantling suspension strut.Nis\'n Sunny - MarkSmith
Hi,

I have to replace the bearing at the top of the front suspension strut on a 1993 Nissan Sunny. Does anyone have a good way of removing the top nut (to seperate the spring from the shock)using hand tools? I don\'t want to take the strut to a garage to do (with an air tool), because this will mean I can\'t do the job on a weekend and the car\'s out of action for a couple of days.

I have a \"workmate\" type bench but nothing else like that to clamp it.

Much appreciated!
Mark
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 9 Jan 2004 12:02
Dismantling suspension strut.Nis\'n Sunny - Sooty Tailpipes
Are you having trouble with the strut rod turning,? Some have flats, others have an allen key hole in the tip. Others you may need molegrips and strips of hard rubber to protect the rod, and grip it near the top where it isn\'t used.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 9 Jan 2004 12:18
Dismantling suspension strut.Nis\'n Sunny - RichardW
Do not even THINK about trying to dismantle a suspension strut without proper spring compressors (apologies if you have, but I didn\'t get that impression). Once you have the spring tension off the nut should be pretty easy to undo, and as noted there are usually flats or allen key hole to counter hold the shaft.


--
RichardW

Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 9 Jan 2004 13:34
Dismantling suspension strut.Nis'n Sunny - MarkSmith
Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I haven't tried yet - but I was assuming I'd need some way of stopping the strut from turning with the bolt.

I was planning to use spring compressors yes - but thanks for the warning anyway!

Cheers,
Mark
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....