Strut Removal Tool for Replacing Coil Springs

[KevinT]

I bought some Eibach springs this week and began the task of installation tonight. I bought the repair manual for my 2000 Grand Am and the job is fairly simple. Upon removing the strut tower, I noticed there was not tool in my arsenal that would loosen the strut damper bolt. This is a bolt that, during loosening, requires you to hold the dampner shaft in place. So, I jumped in my spare car (wife's old car for sale in the driveway) and headed to Advanced Auto Parts. After talking with an employee, he showed me a Universal Strut removal tool. It cost $24 and had everything you need to remove this very interesting nut combination. After mildly stripping that center shaft head, I realized I'd need some liquid wrench to break the bolt off. I applied the liquid wrench and waited a few mintures. I placed an adjustable wrench on once piece of the strut removal tool, and a 11/16 wrench on the other, and I was able to break it free. It seems like it had some type of locking agent on the threads. Once it was free, it moved very easily. Just wanted to let anyone know about this before they begin they suprising simple job of removing and replacing their coil springs or struts.

[brian]

I posted a big long thing about how to do springs and struts a long time ago in this section, I wonder who deleted it.

[peeps]

Originally posted by brian
I posted a big long thing about how to do springs and struts a long time ago in this section, I wonder who deleted it. you mean this one?

http://www.grandamgt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=306&highlight=springs

You might try a search before accusing someone of deleting your posts....

[Aleromi]

Um I DONT NOT REOMEND any one doing the strut removel like what Kevin T did ( Sorry kevin BUT) THe way he did this will put scars in the struts shaft and will hurt the seals in the strut and can hurt YOU! THAT spring in under alot of presser and with out a strut spring transfer machine to push down on the upper strut plate Well i hope u have good health ins.

I know alot about the N-body suspension and IF any one
needs help drop me or mfuller and email we can help....

The right way for any one to do this in the back yard is to remove the the struts with spring and take it to a shop to be tranfer...

Alot safer and easyer on U!

just my to cents.....:tool:

[MidwestJosh]

Originally posted by brian
I posted a big long thing about how to do springs and struts a long time ago in this section, I wonder who deleted it.

At the bottom of this page, look at the thing that says 'last xxdays.' You probably just need to change the setting to see your post.

[Scott R. Mraz]

Originally posted by Aleromi
Um I DONT NOT REOMEND any one doing the strut removel like what Kevin T did ( Sorry kevin BUT) THe way he did this will put scars in the struts shaft and will hurt the seals in the strut and can hurt YOU! THAT spring in under alot of presser and with out a strut spring transfer machine to push down on the upper strut plate Well i hope u have good health ins.

I know alot about the N-body suspension and IF any one
needs help drop me or mfuller and email we can help....

The right way for any one to do this in the back yard is to remove the the struts with spring and take it to a shop to be tranfer...

Alot safer and easyer on U!

just my to cents.....:tool:

I'd have to dissagree... i've replaced many coil springs over the years and i've never had problems. As a matter of fact i've had a coil spring slip out of a compressor under full compression (HR Perforance Spring) and it simply flew a few inches. While I can imagine it wouldn't feel good to be hit, the damage would only be a bruse (maybe... I stress ...maybe a broken finger if your had is in the way). Simply dont be stupid, keep your hands away from the inside of the coil, and ensure that you dont set the spring down harshly and you'll be fine. As for stripping the coating off the springs... it takes a lot to actually acomplish that and then all you have to do is have them re-coated and hardened (albeit cheaper in most cases to simply repurchase a new spring)... just my 2 cents.

[Aleromi]

Originally posted by Scott R. Mraz


I'd have to dissagree... i've replaced many coil springs over the years and i've never had problems. As a matter of fact i've had a coil spring slip out of a compressor under full compression (HR Perforance Spring) and it simply flew a few inches. While I can imagine it wouldn't feel good to be hit, the damage would only be a bruse (maybe... I stress ...maybe a broken finger if your had is in the way). Simply dont be stupid, keep your hands away from the inside of the coil, and ensure that you dont set the spring down harshly and you'll be fine. As for stripping the coating off the springs... it takes a lot to actually acomplish that and then all you have to do is have them re-coated and hardened (albeit cheaper in most cases to simply repurchase a new spring)... just my 2 cents.


THat fine u dont agree with what i'm saying but if u had a spring slip out on front using a rental spring tool ... well i say this how many finger do u like to lose..... I'm just saying i do front end work on alot of every day cars and do custom work too and FOR the kids that dont know what they r doing i dont re0omend they do it them selve's.....

(It few a few inches ummm try again a spring under pressar will take ur hand off dude , i've seen that happen once by a guy just out from school a f up his hand, rip it off by a strut spring ....


:rage:

[Scott R. Mraz]

Originally posted by Aleromi



THat fine u dont agree with what i'm saying but if u had a spring slip out on front using a rental spring tool ... well i say this how many finger do u like to lose..... I'm just saying i do front end work on alot of every day cars and do custom work too and FOR the kids that dont know what they r doing i dont re0omend they do it them selve's.....

(It few a few inches ummm try again a spring under pressar will take ur hand off dude , i've seen that happen once by a guy just out from school a f up his hand, rip it off by a strut spring ....


:rage:

Well it only flew a few inches, thats a fact. I have no doubt that a spring can hurt. Obviously you've had much worse experinces with springs than I. So it seems that your experience of seeing a guy's hand get ripped has modified your perspective. I am sure that I would change my perspective I if saw it as well.

I simply wanted to share my opinion, I expect the readers to take all opinions and posts into consideration to make the decision that best suits them.

I understand your concern for their saftey BTW, and I share that concern. It is important to be safe. However a little common sense and one shouldn't have any problems.

Hopefully the above will explain my view a little better.

[KevinT]

Believe me, I'm 25 years old and no wrench-head. It took me a few hours and I was done. As long as you use your head, as with any job, you can get it done. I would also recommend having the repair manual for your model before attempting it. My springs said they came with installation instructions. The instructions said to hire a mechanic to do it for you! :) I guess that was me. The spring compressors are very easy to use and seemed very very safe. I bought them for $30 at the parts store. I'm not sure what all this talk about danger and damaging stuff is. I can't see any way I could've screwed this job up. Let me know what you were talking about on that one Alero Dude. You make it sound like there is another way to do this job. I'd be interested to hear. It might be good advice to have the shop do the spring transfer, but after all the work of getting the things off, you might as well do it yourself! You get some more cash in your pocket, and an awesome feeling of accomplishment. Later.....

[Aleromi]

Hey KevinT ,

that great that u did have any problem's with removing ur sping's

but for some of the peep out there that dont know how it done,
i just reOmend that they have it done at a shop....

As far as saving money , kevin u save about 100 bucks in labor,
but for 20 to 40 bucks u could have taken the struts to the shop and have them switch it for u and save u some time on the job ...

that's all i'm saying....


Hey Scott, true that i seen some f-up thing happen with front end springs , come from living in michigan....
as long as people that try to do this , ask any keep it safe....

:cheers: :thumbs:

[NaturalKonc3pt]

i just started a spring and strut install. So far i have the back done which i did with only myself.. now i'm on the front taking out the struts and it was fairly simple and getting the spring depressed all you need to do is set it up in a way that it doesnt have a whole lot of room for quick depression.. i just stood back a little and took the bolt of and it poped off pretty nicely.. now i'm reassembling and i got the bolt back on to a starting position but i'm havin some trouble tightening it all the way... other than that i havent had any problems w/ install or taking out... and i've done everything w/ only one person..


i could use some suggestions of how to get the bolt back on... i've heard the an impact gun, and an open face wrench, and two open face wrenches one on the bolt and one on the strut rod... any other ideas will be gladly taken..

[KevinT]

You are having trouble with the bolt on top of the strut tower, right? Have you considered picking up the strut removal tool I suggested earlier in the post? The two open-faced wrench idea is what they say in the manual, but you would have to have two deep well wrenches. The tool I used cost $25 and I picked it up at Advanced Auto.

[peeps]

i just started a spring and strut install. So far i have the back done which i did with only myself.. now i'm on the front taking out the struts and it was fairly simple and getting the spring depressed all you need to do is set it up in a way that it doesnt have a whole lot of room for quick depression.. i just stood back a little and took the bolt of and it poped off pretty nicely.. now i'm reassembling and i got the bolt back on to a starting position but i'm havin some trouble tightening it all the way... other than that i havent had any problems w/ install or taking out... and i've done everything w/ only one person..


i could use some suggestions of how to get the bolt back on... i've heard the an impact gun, and an open face wrench, and two open face wrenches one on the bolt and one on the strut rod... any other ideas will be gladly taken..For the love of God man, only post your problem ONCE!

[PACE]

Wow,

There is a lot of anger in this thread! Breath deeply everyone. Personally, I would remove the spring/strut combo and take it too a shop cuz I'm lazy. And of course I don't reccomend "some kid" try doing this type of work. But if you want to tackle the job I don't think you will "Take your hand off" lol

[KevinT]

So, not only did he post his problem twice, but you posted it again for him? lol

NaturalKonc3pt, if you want more info on that top bolt, just PM me.

[ImpetuousRacer]

Does anyone know where I can get this strut removal tool? I went to checker and autozone. Guys at Autozone had no idea, the guy at checker said use vice grips. I didnt see the tool anywhere? Wonder if someone knows where I can get one cheap or what it looks like. Thanks!

[KevinT]

It's actually more of a set of socket looking items. I bought my at Advanced Auto parts and it's a universal set so it contains all sizes. If you show them what you're trying to remove, they might understand a little bit better. PM me if you want me to send you a picture of mine.

[zerogman]

Well, in my opinion, spring removal should only be done with a spring compressor of some sort. ESPECIALLY when using factory springs seeing as they are longer. I prefer what's called a 'Strut Tamer'. It grips your spring on two sides at the top and bottom, allows you to compress the spring, SAFELY (Unlike any hand-tool you will find at a auto parts supermarket) and without damaging the spring or strut assembly. There are now two styles of nuts that come at the top of the strut bearing/mount. The original style is just like a regular big nut, the new one has a spacer/washer thing under it. My car ('01 GAGT) has the old one since it wasn't made until after. Also note, that when using the hand tool mentioned at the top, you are also not going to be able to torque the nut to spec since you will just spin the strut once it gets a little tight, but only if you have the old-style nut and not the new one with the washer/spacer in it, then you MIGHT be able to get it to spec.

In short...
Reasons TO use the 'backyard' method for spring replacement
1. Cost
2. Convenient

Reasons NOT TO use the 'backyard' method for spring replacement
1. Easy to damage the suspension, not all damage is easily visible...
2. Safety (Especially if still on the factory springs since they are longer)
3. Torquing will not get to spec using this method since strut will spin
4. Collateral damage (The spring could shoot up or down, down isn't so bad, but up is not always good let's just say)

Anywho, I put a little more then 2 cents, that's my buck and a quarter on this subject.

[snwman]

you dont need a spring compressor with the ga. I changed my springs once, and then the strut mounts later with the help of a friend. He pushed down on the strut plate i used impact wrech to loosen nut. after nut came off he slowly let the spring up. no problem at all, our springs are not compressed that much(even factory springs)

[Blight]

The first spring i ever worked with got loose and hit off the ceiling in the barn and shot across to the workbench and knocked everyting taller than 5 inches off the table :) It was a big scare, but no one got hurt. We found better ways of doing it.