W211 Front suspension top mount question .

[Wighty]

Hi Folks ,
Got both front shocks off the car and the spring off one of the old shocks so I can salvage the top mount rubber and the bottom of the spring plastic cover .
I’ve matched up the new shock height to the old one as well
Looking at the top nut , do I need a special fitting to tighten it whilst holding the piston to prevent spinning ?
Or as they show on Autodoc do I just tighten it without worrying about the piston moving .
Is there a “special” cut away 17mm long reach socket that allows a spanner to pass through it to grip the top flat section of the piston ?

 

[Wighty]

In the end I gripped the piston as high up as I could and then torqued the nut . I didn’t fit the bump stop until after I gripped the tube high up , so it all worked out well .
It took hours in the heat , never done the job before . The spring compressors were fantastic with an impact driver and seemed very safe .
A few pics of the days events

 

[Wighty]

So new Sachs shocks and springs with new strut mount as well . £300 from Autodoc , and another £34 for the spring compressor .
+ the additional cost of beer and fish and chips at the local pub to celebrate .

 

[onefortheroad]

Congratulations, That's what I did . I had some rubber seal I put in the jaws of molegrips and attached to the shock tube at a point I knew wouldn't be in the shocks movement to cause issues. I used normal compressors and had 5 on the leg at one point. Longest springs in the world tbh that have to be squashed to around 6 inches to get the top hat nut back on. Sweet as a nut over bumps after the change.

 

[V6Matty]

So new Sachs shocks and springs with new strut mount as well . £300 from Autodoc , and another £34 for the spring compressor .
+ the additional cost of beer and fish and chips at the local pub to celebrate .

Good effort, especially in the heat, I have to admit I had my Indy do mine years ago but it was so much better once done

 

[peterws1957]

.
+ the additional cost of beer and fish and chips at the local pub to celebrate .

Boy you know how to celebrate W

 

[Wighty]

Boy you know how to celebrate W

It was glorious sitting with a pint after being hunched in a wheel well

 

[Wighty]

I now believe the knock noise from the front right has gone

 

[Larkone]

There is a tool for what you needed to do

Kennedy-Pro 17mm Go Through Socket KEN5823747K | at Zoro

Kennedy-Pro - 17mm Go Through Socket available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

 

[Wighty]

There is a tool for what you needed to do

Kennedy-Pro 17mm Go Through Socket KEN5823747K | at Zoro

Kennedy-Pro - 17mm Go Through Socket available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

Cheers buddy , that makes sense . I might order one for the tool box

 

[Wighty]

There is a tool for what you needed to do

Kennedy-Pro 17mm Go Through Socket KEN5823747K | at Zoro

Kennedy-Pro - 17mm Go Through Socket available at Zoro.co.uk - UK's Leading Supplier of DIY Tools and Supplies'

www.zoro.co.uk

Just ordered a similar one from eBay for the toolkit !

 

[Wighty]

Just received the socket I needed , to check the top nut torque .

 

[Snake Charmer]

I bought a set of pass through sockets like those.

 

[Wighty]

I bought a set of pass through sockets like those.

View attachment 78832

Nice ! I ”cheaped out” and just bought the 17mm one I needed . I was worried that if I bought a whole set they might be too deep and stop me reaching the centre spindle thingy .

 

[LostKiwi]

In the end I gripped the piston as high up as I could and then torqued the nut . I didn’t fit the bump stop until after I gripped the tube high up , so it all worked out well .
It took hours in the heat , never done the job before . The spring compressors were fantastic with an impact driver and seemed very safe .
A few pics of the days events
View attachment 78644 View attachment 78645 View attachment 78647 View attachment 78648

They look like excellent compressors Wighty - where did you get them?

 

[Wighty]

They look like excellent compressors Wighty - where did you get them?

Heavy Duty Coil Spring Compressor Hook Strut Clamp Suspension Car Auto Tool Set | eBay

Drive by ratchet or wrench. - Long clamping range: approx. 58-280 mm; Arc degree range: approx. UK Ball Joint Puller Separator+Tie Rod End Extractor Remover Splitter Tool Kit. Professional Windshield Removal Automotive Wind Glass Remover Tool Set Kit 7pc.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Wighty]

They look like excellent compressors Wighty - where did you get them?

They were excellent , felt very solid , very safe . And that’s coming from a first time job compressing springs .
I had some of the normal cheap compressors in the garage , when I opened the box I just thought no , they look like an A&E visit .