Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: theolodian on 12 March 2007, 19:48:49

Title: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 12 March 2007, 19:48:49
I need to get ready to change my wishbones and shocks.  I looked through RMCB's guide on the wishbones and droplinks, and that seems to require the following tools;

Long extension
Spanners: 17, 18
Sockets: 18, 21
22 spanner or socket?
2nd ratchet?

What else do I need to change the shocks too?  Spring compressors?
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: sounds2k on 12 March 2007, 19:54:08
when I did my wishbones, I seem to remember using 2 x 21mm sockets on the bolts - a 10" breaker bar on one end (inside the engine compartment for the vertical bush) and a 24" breaker bar and/or torque wrench for the other.

a small wire brush or something to clean the threads on the original drop links will make removal of them a LOT easier.

I'd say you will need spring compressors to change the shocks as I presume you remove the strut complete, in which case you'll also need a balljoint splitter - go for the scissor type and you can re-use the track rods ...
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: TheBoy on 12 March 2007, 20:06:41
Spring compressors will be required once strut removed to change the shock.
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: Admin on 12 March 2007, 20:59:39
And be VERY careful. A compressed spring has a huge amount of stored kinetic energy!
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 12 March 2007, 21:15:19
I've used spring compressors before, thanks for the warnings but a little credit please!   :-[ ;D

Any around that I can borrow?  How about the nut sizes to take the strut apart?  
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 12 March 2007, 21:16:18
Quote
And be VERY careful. A compressed spring has a huge amount of stored kinetic energy!
Stored kinetic energy?  Isn't that an oxymoron?  :P
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 12 March 2007, 21:50:28
Lol....potential energy.....

I have spring compressors although may be a bit to far away....
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 12 March 2007, 22:20:56
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Lol....potential energy.....

I have spring compressors although may be a bit to far away....
Cheers, I'll get back to you on that.
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: MartinP on 12 March 2007, 22:55:00
Quote
I've used spring compressors before, thanks for the warnings but a little credit please!   :-[ ;D

Any around that I can borrow?  How about the nut sizes to take the strut apart?  


! have a pair of (Halfords) spring compressors, you are welcome to borrow

Location M6, J6,J7 or M5 J1 I'm in the Birmingham triangle  ;D
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: Elite Pete on 12 March 2007, 23:01:36
Quote
I've used spring compressors before, thanks for the warnings but a little credit please!   :-[ ;D

Any around that I can borrow?  How about the nut sizes to take the strut apart?  

If I can find them I will give them to Timbuk when I see him this week.
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 13 March 2007, 11:34:44
Quote
Quote
I've used spring compressors before, thanks for the warnings but a little credit please!   :-[ ;D

Any around that I can borrow?  How about the nut sizes to take the strut apart?  

If I can find them I will give them to Timbuk when I see him this week.
Cheers, that would be great!  I've booked my alignment for the 26th, so now if I can get VSC to answer the phone I will start ordering stuff.

What other tools do I need?  Do I need a floor jack to keep the rear suspension from dropping when I take off the shock?
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: Elite Pete on 13 March 2007, 11:57:23
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Quote
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I've used spring compressors before, thanks for the warnings but a little credit please!   :-[ ;D

Any around that I can borrow?  How about the nut sizes to take the strut apart?  

If I can find them I will give them to Timbuk when I see him this week.
Cheers, that would be great!  I've booked my alignment for the 26th, so now if I can get VSC to answer the phone I will start ordering stuff.

What other tools do I need?  Do I need a floor jack to keep the rear suspension from dropping when I take off the shock?
What do you need from VSC?
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 13 March 2007, 13:07:32
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
I've used spring compressors before, thanks for the warnings but a little credit please!   :-[ ;D

Any around that I can borrow?  How about the nut sizes to take the strut apart?  

If I can find them I will give them to Timbuk when I see him this week.
Cheers, that would be great!  I've booked my alignment for the 26th, so now if I can get VSC to answer the phone I will start ordering stuff.

What other tools do I need?  Do I need a floor jack to keep the rear suspension from dropping when I take off the shock?
What do you need from VSC?
I'm gonna see about wishbones, droplinks, and a fuel filter.  Trying to see how long they would take so that I can try to wait a few days until my Visa rolls over into next month.  :P
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: Elite Pete on 13 March 2007, 16:00:32
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Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
I've used spring compressors before, thanks for the warnings but a little credit please!   :-[ ;D

Any around that I can borrow?  How about the nut sizes to take the strut apart?  

If I can find them I will give them to Timbuk when I see him this week.
Cheers, that would be great!  I've booked my alignment for the 26th, so now if I can get VSC to answer the phone I will start ordering stuff.

What other tools do I need?  Do I need a floor jack to keep the rear suspension from dropping when I take off the shock?
What do you need from VSC?
I'm gonna see about wishbones, droplinks, and a fuel filter.  Trying to see how long they would take so that I can try to wait a few days until my Visa rolls over into next month.  :P
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330098009019&rd=1&rd=1

I will be ordering mine tomorrow :y
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: Dave-C on 13 March 2007, 17:54:57
Fitted the very same wishbones from VSC this last weekend, superb quality :y

DC
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 13 March 2007, 18:18:39
Quote
Fitted the very same wishbones from VSC this last weekend, superb quality :y

DC
I'm still not sure if I need them or not, but cheaper than another alignment.  Did you need any other tools than those in the guide?

EP: What spanners do I need with the compressors?

Everyone: What tools do I need to take the strut apart?

Cheers.
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: TheBoy on 13 March 2007, 18:24:29
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Quote
Fitted the very same wishbones from VSC this last weekend, superb quality :y

DC
I'm still not sure if I need them or not, but cheaper than another alignment.  Did you need any other tools than those in the guide?

EP: What spanners do I need with the compressors?

Everyone: What tools do I need to take the strut apart?

Cheers.
Sorry, can't remember tools require to take strut apart. Wasn't anything unusual though...
Title: Re: Tools for changing shocks
Post by: theolodian on 16 March 2007, 12:41:55
Quote
I need to get ready to change my wishbones and shocks.  I looked through RMCB's guide on the wishbones and droplinks, and that seems to require the following tools;

Long extension
Spanners: 17, 18, 21
Sockets: 18, 21

What else do I need to change the shocks too?  Spring compressors?
OK, took the trusty plastic verniers out and this is what I found;

Top of front strut: Nut 24mm, Shaft 11mm (hex)

Top of rear shock: Nut 16mm, Shaft 7mm (2 flats)