Replacing strut(s) on a Civic - need help

[grasshopperglock]

You're on page with me. Since y'all have spooked me over compressing the springs, I'd have to load up & then clean-up to go somewhere to actually change just the struts.

I have looooong argued with myself over buying a pneumatic driver but could never justify it for one job. That's been about 50 jobs ago

LoL

Impact wrench is $40 at a pawn shop. You don't need a professional tool. Cheaply will work. After your done, pawn it back. Consider it 'pawn rental'.


This....quick strut'.....thinking it's anything less then 5 hours...nah. Unless you've been switching out struts everyday. It's gonna take a few hours to learn the process.

Quick and cheap only applies to valve stem caps. Otherwise it's expensive and slow.

 

[outdare]

Here is a electric impact wrench. I have one and if your not using it daily it will work well for ya.

Electric Impact Wrench - 1/2"

 

[Glockster69]

Impact wrench is $40 at a pawn shop. You don't need a professional tool. Cheaply will work. After your done, pawn it back. Consider it 'pawn rental'.

This....quick strut'.....thinking it's anything less then 5 hours...nah. Unless you've been switching out struts everyday. It's gonna take a few hours to learn the process.

Quick and cheap only applies to valve stem caps. Otherwise it's expensive and slow.

I just may go the pawnshop route for the wrench, I never really think about them. I'm ok with 5 hours.

I just learned of these valve stem caps, may have to spring for them. LoL

 

[orbitup]

Looks like they would be easy enough to make.

 

[Glockster69]

Yeah, they do. I just noticed the bulging case sides so it seems to be a pretty tight fit.

 

[Glockster69]

Looks like they would be easy enough to make.

Wait, that was an offer to make some for me, right!!??

Thanks buddy, I'll take 8. See you at Hicksville

 

[orbitup]

I'll have a booth set up. $10/ea

 

[Glockster69]

Hmmm. $10/4 through NRA store. You're gonna have to be more competitive and don't give me none of your "it's custom made" crap either.

 

[orbitup]

It's all about instant gratification.

Installation is included too.

 

[Glockster69]

Service after the sale? Game changa .. I'm in!

 

[matefrio]

You're spending a dollar worth of worry for every penny saved. Get er' done. If you screw up that's ok.

 

[Glockster69]

You're spending a dollar worth of worry for every penny saved. Get er' done. If you screw up that's ok.

I'm sorry, have interrupted your life somehow?

Ordered the struts and they'll be here tomorrow. I just bought the one socket I didn't have so it looks a party of one this weekend. Woot!

 

[Sugar Land]

I can't wait to hear it's running again.

 

[Glockster69]

Lol .. it's running, I'm driving it. The truck gets a new starter tonight and becomes primary again.

You need to pay more attention to my life.

 

[Sugar Land]

Man I try but you are such a superstar I have a hard time keeping up.....

 

[robertc1024]

Man I try but you are such a superstar I have a hard time keeping up.....

No kidding - breaking shit, telling the auto-parts guys where to stuff it, running the bi-polar trolls off - it's hard for me to keep up too.

 

[Glockster69]

Impact wrench is $40 at a pawn shop. You don't need a professional tool. Cheaply will work. After your done, pawn it back. Consider it 'pawn rental'.


This....quick strut'.....thinking it's anything less then 5 hours...nah. Unless you've been switching out struts everyday. It's gonna take a few hours to learn the process.

Quick and cheap only applies to valve stem caps. Otherwise it's expensive and slow.

Dude, I guess I'm an awesome shade tree mech because I started jacking the car up at 1430 and the bad strut is on the ground. Biggest issue was removing tie rod but nothing major.

$40 is exactly what I paid for the pawn shop special wrench, all it's good for is spewing oil everywhere.

 

[Glockster69]

Got a hiccup. Bolting the tie rod back and the stud just rotates. Does that mean what I think, new one?

Of COURSE that's the last thing needed to finish the side

 

[Savage20]

The tie rod end is probably fine. Try to clean up the threads with a wire brush so the nut tightens more easily and further by hand. If you can get it to bottom out then usually the clamping force will keep the joint from spinning. Or take your hammer and give the tie rod end a few good whacks to try and seat it in the knuckle. By doing so, you will prevent the joint from spinning, allowing you to tighten it.

 

[Savage20]

The trick to removing tie rod ends (and ball joints) is to completely remove the nut from the stud before breaking the ball joint loose. That way you aren't fighting with trying to keep the stud from spinning as you remove the nut. After you've confirmed that the nut will come off with hand pressure, then I screw it back onto the stud a few turns, then give it a good whack with a hammer, right on the nut. It will pop the ball joint out. Another trick is to give some good sharp whacks to the spindle, right next to the ball joint/tie rod end. That will also pop the joint right out.