[Shotimes] RE: Front Strut R&R

[Carl Prochilo]

I never actually took the spring compressors off in the week of time I had
the car apart.  Basically I had the spring compressed to a length that
corresponds to its native position once the strut mount/bearing is secured
via the nut.  However if there is additional settling, I will let you
know.

You should really look at the one picture that compares the hardware so
you get a sense of the difference.  This also partially explained the
difference in looks between my 92 and my son's 95.  His sits higher also
the same as what mine is.  Originally I assumed that he didn't have the
Eibach springs, but now I'm not so sure since the height of both cars
appears to be the same.  The PO of the 95 gave me a set of springs that
look to be original.  I'll have to go investigate this mystery...
-- 
Cheers,
Carl Prochilo
92 Ultra Red Crimson

On Tue, November 9, 2004 11:24 pm, George Fourchy said:
> On Tue, 9 Nov 2004 20:58:04 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time), Carl Prochilo
> wrote:
>
>>It's funny because the height difference looks to me more than the 0.3"
>>that I know the difference to be between old and new hardware.  Also keep
>>in mind that my old setup had the spacer plate AND the washers you
>>suggested I add.  Did you get a chance to look at the photo comparing the
>>old and new mount/bearing hardware?  The old struts were also easily
>>compressible by hand whereas the new struts offered a lot less
>> resistance.
>>
>>PS.  Please send me the write-up for the rear struts.
>
> It's possible that the car might settle after a day or two.  How long did
> you have
> the springs out and unassembled?  They sorta stretch a bit, and then
> resettle after
> being reinstalled...this varies from spring to spring.
>
> I can't say I've looked at a lot of the pictures (not much time to myself
> this
> week), but I can imagine how the hardware differs.  I've had some pretty
> ratty
> strut/spring combos to disassemble.  You definitely had some worn struts,
> but I've
> had the worst....on the Plus from Hell, the rears were totally rusted
> out....there
> were no guts inside the rear struts when they were removed.....just water,
> from
> driving in rainstorms.  I'd turn the strut upside down to let it drain
> after
> disassembly, and the piston (what was left of it) and shaft just fell on
> the ground.
>  That's what the seller described as "original suspension"!
>
> I'll send the rear writeup tomorrow, I hope.  I'm going to bed early
> tonight....I
> didn't get my 12 hour catch-up sleep on Sunday night, or Monday
> either....so tonight
> is it, otherwise I'll be behind all week, when I have to get up early and
> stay up
> all night one night.  Most important thing....get yourself a 13 mm
> wratchet box
> wrench for the three nuts per side in the trunk.
>
> I know how it feels to drive on new struts....the wagon was getting its
> A/C
> converted all summer....they kept it for two months, in exchange for
> charging me a
> lot less.....and when it came back, it was like 3 times as stiff as
> Lowrider....same
> struts, but with 1/3 the miles.
>
> Glad your fronts came out successful....now you're an expert!!
>
> ;-)
>
> George
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