Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: markfree on 04 April 2010, 11:46:28
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I have to change front springs as one is busted.
Never done this job before (and a bit apprehensive about doing it) so what tools, spanners/sockets etc. do I need :question
I have acquired a heavy duty spring compressor so I hope it's up to the job :-/
Any advice/tips/money ;D (from people who have the T-shirt) would be welcome :y
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spring compressor? singular? if it can keep the spring straight and compressed it should be fine but IME you need 2 one each side or the the spring wont release or seat properly if its off one side.
Most important thing is to try and replicate the camber setting before and after, then get it set up asap or you'll destroy a set of front tyres in no time.
Its not a hard job to swap the parts over. Over and above normal tools, spring compressors obviously, 24mill ring spanner for nut on shock top mount would be handy as a Halfords socket is not quite deep enough to reach the nut. I managed to get by without it though, just.
iirc the rest is just swapping parts like for like.
May as well grease the topmount barings while your there, green and yellow bit.
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spring compressor? singular? if it can keep the spring straight and compressed it should be fine but IME you need 2 one each side or the the spring wont release or seat properly if its off one side.
Most important thing is to try and replicate the camber setting before and after, then get it set up asap or you'll destroy a set of front tyres in no time.
Its not a hard job to swap the parts over. Over and above normal tools, spring compressors obviously, 24mill ring spanner for nut on shock top mount would be handy as a Halfords socket is not quite deep enough to reach the nut. I managed to get by without it though, just.
iirc the rest is just swapping parts like for like.
May as well grease the topmount barings while your there, green and yellow bit.
Yes it has 2 - I think they are all sold as a pair.
Is it best to compress the spring on the car or off?
Have a 24mm spanner anyway, used it for doing up nuts & bolts on towbar.
I have a camber gauge so shouldn't have any problems setting it up reasonably correctly.
Cheers for advice :y
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Remove the strut (damper/spring) as one unit, then compress spring.
Camber afterwards is important, aim for 1'10 both sides :y
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Remove the strut (damper/spring) as one unit, then compress spring.
Camber afterwards is important, aim for 1'10 both sides :y
DON'T unbolt the plate once the strut is off the car until the spring is compressed or you will end up with a sore face or worse