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Lowering ya car yaself guides??
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 5:49 pm
by tuh104
Just wondering if any1 had a how too, guide to lowering ya 9n yaself??
Cheers, tim.
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:45 pm
by david burton
it's not too tricky, but I suggest buying a haynes to help you out.
I also suggest soaking the whole lot (bolts) in WD40 the day before you want to do it!
it took me about 8 hours to do my car, because the front struts were seized.
all it involves is:
remove wheel
loosen 3 nuts holding top mounts
loosen clamp nut holding strut to bottom arm
remove drop link bolt from strut
remove brake hose from clips on strut
hammer bottom arm away from strut - hahah this might take forever
this will free the strut
then you'll have to remove the top mount from the strut using a spanner and a hex key on the top mount, and spring compressors will be needed to remove the spring safely.
rears are much simpler. still need spring compressors though.
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:51 pm
by poloecosse
you dont need spring compressors for the rear, just unblot one shockie first with the wheel still on and the car on axle stands. then put your jack under the spring pan on the other side and unbolt the second shockie. lower the jack untill the wheels touch the floor and the rear axle is down quite a bit and simply pull the springs out with ease
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:54 pm
by RUM4MO
You can buy a strut splitting tool from Laser Tools (the tool connection) - it can be ordered through Halfords. This tool allows you to safely open up the bottom clamp/hub bit so that the strut will just (about) drop down. Its far easier to use and control than a chisel or big screwdriver etc
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:56 pm
by david burton
definitely worth getting a splitting tool. we had one but it didn't work well (was too big)
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:57 pm
by poloecosse
mine fell out no problem.
deffo get a set of spring clamps for the front tho and be careful, dont want to take ur head off
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 7:58 pm
by david burton
sorry, edited my post!
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:30 am
by DAZZA_TDI
david burton wrote:it's not too tricky, but I suggest buying a haynes to help you out.
I also suggest soaking the whole lot (bolts) in WD40 the day before you want to do it!
it took me about 8 hours to do my car, because the front struts were seized.
Had the same problem david, felt as if someone had bloody welded the strut on, took an age to free it
Dazza
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 4:33 pm
by tuh104
Had abit of a mare 2day people, spent bout 3 hours 2 try an loosen the top bolt on the strut. And it stil hasnt loosend up so iv had 2 abort tht 4 2day an i think i'll av 2 get it loosened at a garage.
Tim
Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:03 pm
by david burton
you can loosen the three top mount bolts instead and the whole strut will come out - makes loosening the top bolt easier.
Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:34 pm
by TDI_Burd
My boyfriend lowered my polo for me and he said the back was a lot easier than the front had no problems with the back but the front took him an hour and a half lol
claire
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 4:20 pm
by tuh104
Yeh i did take off the 3 mount bolts and took the whole strut out but the top bolt still wouldnt budge :S