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Topic: Front Suspension Assy. Removal (Read 929 times) |
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philgood
Full Member
2.9l 12v Auto (95 M) Ultima Saloon (Aubergine)
 
Posts: 122
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Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« on: Mar 6th, 2007, 3:48pm » |
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I had a broken front suspension spring and thought that the easiest/quickest way would be to replace the complete leg assembly.
I read the procedure on this web site but couldn’t understand why it states you need to remove the suspension unit & spindle carrier as one assembly only to separate them at a later stage?
I simply disconnected the steering ball joint, stabiliser top joint, removed the break calliper & made sure the anti-lock cable was free. Removed the spindle carrier pinch bolt, then with the top of the suspension unit still attached to the car inner wing, simply drift off the spindle carrier from the bottom of the suspension unit with a copper hide mallet. This then swings down leaving enough room to remove the suspension assembly (after removing the 3 x top securing bolts) which could then be worked on as required if necessary.
Refitting was just as easy by reversing the procedure as described.
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Regards
Phil.
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cossie_al
Full Member
Ex 24v
Posts: 902
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #1 on: Mar 6th, 2007, 10:12pm » |
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Philgood,
I recently replaced my struts and I did exactly as you describe. To be honest I have always found it easier as a diy mechanic at home to remove the hub/spindle carrier with the top of the strut bloted in place.
However, when I worked in the garage and had the benefit of a very large vice attached to a steal bench bolted to the floor aswell as the wall and of course a comprehensive set of tools I always found it easier to take the whole lot off and work at the bench.
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #2 on: Mar 7th, 2007, 2:28am » |
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Good tips guys....but have you got any good tips for replacing the rear springs without sticking to procedure ? 
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Scorpius
Full Member
95 Cossie in metalic Green. 96 Cossie in red
Posts: 357
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #3 on: Mar 7th, 2007, 9:44am » |
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When i did nine recently, the bolt holding the strut to the hub sheared so had to replace the whole thing.
You stand more chance of getting the bolts out whole if you remove the whiole assembly.
Ian
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pete from Hull
Senior Member
Non Scorpio at the moment, but still interested...
Posts: 1365
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #4 on: Mar 7th, 2007, 10:07am » |
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When I did my rear springs I just jacked the car up and removed the rear shocker, I then undid all the bits stopping the trailing arm from being pushed down ie brake flexi pipe tie bar etc.
Once everything is detached the trailing arm can be pushed down and the spring can be lifted out, I found it to be quite easy, the idea is to get the car high enough on good axle stands under the body.
go on, have a go, took me about an hour, including cups of tea.... 
hth
Pete
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #5 on: Mar 7th, 2007, 10:17am » |
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Cheers Pete....that's exactly what I wanted to hear 
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Scorpius
Full Member
95 Cossie in metalic Green. 96 Cossie in red
Posts: 357
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #6 on: Mar 7th, 2007, 11:39am » |
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Except, i thought we were talking about the front?
Ian
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #7 on: Mar 7th, 2007, 2:53pm » |
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Yes...true, but I thought if someone was giving advice on replacing the front springs, then it wouldn't hurt to have a bit of advice on doing the rear ones as well
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cossie_al
Full Member
Ex 24v
Posts: 902
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #8 on: Mar 7th, 2007, 11:31pm » |
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I know that I regularily say this but DO NOT do jobs like this with the car supported on a jack ALWAYS use axle stands.
I lost a close mate due to a jack failing, its just not worth it.
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Jonnycab
Senior Member
Former owner of 2.3 Ultima Facelift saloon
Posts: 3900
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #9 on: Mar 8th, 2007, 1:19am » |
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Good call Al........it's always good to remind people every now & then that you can cut corners on doing certain jobs, but you can never cut corners on having the car safely supported
I always use axle stands & also once the vehicle weight is supported on the stands, I raise the trolley jack(s) back up, so it's just touching the chassis rail......as a fail safe .....cos even axle stands can give way sometimes
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cossie_al
Full Member
Ex 24v
Posts: 902
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #10 on: Mar 8th, 2007, 8:00am » |
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on Mar 8th, 2007, 1:19am, jonnycab wrote: I raise the trolley jack(s) back up, so it's just touching the chassis rail......as a fail safe .....cos even axle stands can give way sometimes
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Thats exatly what I do mate.
What is it they say about great minds?
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mazzy_j
Full Member
Posts: 664
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #11 on: Mar 8th, 2007, 8:44am » |
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Another thing i was always told to do if you've removed the wheels slide them underneath the car on the side they've been removed from, usually i stick them under the sills/chassis rail (obviously not supporting the weight of the vehicle!) or as close to where im working as another precaution. Just remember to take them out before lowering!
Matt
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pete from Hull
Senior Member
Non Scorpio at the moment, but still interested...
Posts: 1365
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #12 on: Mar 8th, 2007, 9:02am » |
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Anothert good way that I use regular is to put ramps under the car once jacked up, and lay a good piece of 4X4 timber across them just in case the car should fall,
you can never take too many precautions, lifes too valuable especially when you own a Scorp...
ps: another good tip is to always make sure the jack is up to the job, some of these cheap accessory shop trolley jacks you can buy are very flimsy under a Scorp, you are better off paying just a little more for quality...
Pete
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ultima4
Full Member
I'm a YaBB newbie!
Posts: 149
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #13 on: Mar 10th, 2007, 6:10pm » |
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is it catching.ive just had to replace my offside front spring,fairly easy job if you have the right tools.mind you i was cursing some of the time as the spring wouldent seat its self when i let the clamps off but all is well now,
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mr._floppy
Junior Member
Posts: 100
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Re: Front Suspension Assy. Removal
« Reply #14 on: Mar 11th, 2007, 12:36pm » |
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Indeed, I lift with a trolley jack then lower on to stands with the trolley jack still holding some of the weight , then deploy the scissor jack in an appropriate place.
Put the wheel you took off under the sill, just in case.
Belt and Braces.......................... and another Belt 
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