front shock removal question

[197JST]

So its still work in progress, but ive managed to assemble the front struts up, I thought id attach a picture, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but then I did decide to buy the coil spring compressor like the one Turkie172 posted. No way would I have been able to assemble them with out that kit.


Eibach springs fitted, will take after pictures once ive managed to remove the old ones.





The part numbers are stuck on from the top mounts, so when It comes to fitting I know which top mount is on which strut, or at least thats my theory behind it.

 

[197JST]

Mission aborted....
I think I was a little over ambitious trying to tackle the front at least on my own.
as the title suggests I had to stop as I wasn’t getting any where, I couldn’t undo the bolt holding the anti drop bar, the 5m key head has rounded off so the bolt & thread just spins...

I tired the drivers side & I couldn’t even undo the bolt, that was even with a beaker bar to try brake the seal.

I think I need to order some new drop link bars & see what I can do, I’m thinking perhaps an angle grinder to cut through the drop links...

or getting the professionals in!??

one thing I did manage to do whilst everything was off the front tho it was to treat the front cross member & the lower subframe to a good coat of anti rust paint, so it hasn’t been a total waste of time.

If anyone experienced in doing the suspension wants to lend a hand once I’ve ordered the parts & wants to help out, please let me know. I’ll pay obviously for the time, I just want to gain experience in doing this myself.

Im in the Warwickshire / Worcestershire areas.

 

[link]

Did you get any other bolts undone? Can't stress how much preparation makes life easier, 10-15 minutes with a wire brush and a hefty dose of penetrating oil can save hours of swearing!

 

[RSRowe]

Set of mole grips behind the back of the tab which it bolts through. Or like you said, an angle grinder

 

[197JST]

I managed to get the bolt off that on the strut arm onto the carriers but the bolts on the drop bar links are way to tight, I even tried a breaker bar on it.

so I think the angle grinder is a good option & some fresh parts

 

[ttrw2]

I did this recently and was fought every step of the way:

Black 197 Trackday Clio

How did you get on with fitting the seats? I had a nightmare with the OMP base mounts. Had to make up brackets to make the seats align properly.

clio197.net

Main annoyances:
The screw that holds the brake flexy bracket to the upright on one side had previously been rounded - solution angle ground head down
Couldn't get pinch bolt out - solution heat and impact wrench
Couldn't get shock bodies out of uprights - solution heat and lump hammer

Get yourself an impact wrench for this job, they buzzed the drop link nuts off - along with other ones - pretty easily. You can get mains ones for c.£40-50, or Li-Ion powered ones for £150 upwards. Pay for themselves very quickly with jobs like this.

As said above, taking the uprights off the car makes the job shorter in the long run.