Front quick struts

[jonesg]

Ok, here is a follow along question. I see a lot of Sachs front struts for sale without the coil springs. My question is does anyone know the involvement or amount of time it takes a mechanic to remove my old springs and re-compress them onto a new strut? I know from talking to my regular mechanic, they don't seem to like to do this process. Not sure if ti is too dangerous for them or what. They want me to buy a quick strut which of course makes it is easier for them and more expensive $$ for me.

A well equipped shop can swap a strut out in a few minutes, they use a wall mounted spring compressor.

[Mr. Detail]

jonesg, are my old existing springs with 178k miles on them still good?

[abscate]

Ok, here is a follow along question. I see a lot of Sachs front struts for sale without the coil springs. My question is does anyone know the involvement or amount of time it takes a mechanic to remove my old springs and re-compress them onto a new strut? I know from talking to my regular mechanic, they don't seem to like to do this process. Not sure if ti is too dangerous for them or what. They want me to buy a quick strut which of course makes it is easier for them and more expensive $$ for me.

A well equipped shop can swap a strut out in a few minutes, they use a wall mounted spring compressor.

Billing one hour for two strut knockdowns and builds is reasonable. That’s on top of the installation time

[jonesg]

Ok, here is a follow along question. I see a lot of Sachs front struts for sale without the coil springs. My question is does anyone know the involvement or amount of time it takes a mechanic to remove my old springs and re-compress them onto a new strut? I know from talking to my regular mechanic, they don't seem to like to do this process. Not sure if ti is too dangerous for them or what. They want me to buy a quick strut which of course makes it is easier for them and more expensive $$ for me.

A well equipped shop can swap a strut out in a few minutes, they use a wall mounted spring compressor.

Billing one hour for two strut knockdowns and builds is reasonable. That’s on top of the installation time

yeh theres quite a bit to get the strut out, lift it up, pull the wheels, disconnect the ball joint, control arm , loosen knuckle bolts..etc.
Thats just to get the strut out. Then I need a 4 hour nap...

[DonnVa]

Ok, here is a follow along question. I see a lot of Sachs front struts for sale without the coil springs. My question is does anyone know the involvement or amount of time it takes a mechanic to remove my old springs and re-compress them onto a new strut? I know from talking to my regular mechanic, they don't seem to like to do this process. Not sure if ti is too dangerous for them or what. They want me to buy a quick strut which of course makes it is easier for them and more expensive $$ for me.

Auto shops never used to turn their noses up on jobs like this. Anyway, I had never done it before, but I bought a spring compressor set from harbor freight and did it myself. You certainly want to take your time and be cautious. I have since taken apart a handful of struts and reassembled them w/o issue. If you don’t feel it’s something you want to attempt, call around to other shops. I’m sure someone will want your business.

[Blacklab467]

I've done this several times and I would suggest that it's an easy job, two strut to knuckle bolts, stabilizer link and three top strut nuts, you don't even have to remove the ball joint as others suggest, oh and remove the ABS sensor. Removal should take less than 1/2 hour per side.
Disassembly of the strut is also straightforward with a good locking hook type spring compressor and enables you to inspect other components like spring seats and strut bearings, proceed with caution always but this is an easy job that can be completed safely.
Springs do not "wear out" or get weak. They deteriorate if allowed to get rusty and can break. Physics suggests that the spring can only be compromised by: corrosion, heat, or impact. If your springs pass a physical inspection they should be fine for continued use.
I believe I created a thread with photo's a few years ago on the best method for removing struts and replacing them, I'll try to find and post this later today.
Hope this helps!

[Blacklab467]

Sorry, The photo montage and writeup I did was for the rear struts and springs but shows disassembly of the strut and spring with the compressor. Front is similar though, I leave the knuckle attached to the Ball Joint and push down with my foot on it while maneuvering the assembled strut in or out of the vehicle. Alignment is preferred but not necessary afterwards if you push inwards on the knuckle and tighten the strut bolts, this will yield approximately .5 degrees of negative camber.viewtopic.php?t=98833

[cn90]

Actually, some ppl are afraid of spring compressor for the right reason.

So the idea of "Quick Strut" is good.

The IPD website lists the named components. I think they are doing the customers a favor
by putting it together for a good price of $284...

PS: A few years ago, the Sachs Quick Struts sold by FCPEuro was $255.

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IPD-Strut.jpg (72.01 KiB) Viewed 376 times

[abscate]

You want the heavier XC90 strut bearing on any car you will be running 5 years +

That’s the problem with Quick struts, you don’t know what you are getting on the hidden stuff, and URO stuff creeps in like roaches.

Get good parts , the spring compressor, or have an Indy put them together

[DonnVa]

I bought that strut kit from IPD for my XC70 and I was pleased at first, but the IPD rubber spring seats are an issue. They don’t seat properly into the strut mount bearing making a rubbery popping sound when doing a slow turn like backing out of a parking space. I few weeks ago I bought the HD spring seats and bearing set from FCP. I’m going to swap them out in the near future (when I’m not playing with my 122s).