So for the last few weeks I've noticed an increasing creaking sound when reversing or tight slow forward turns. My limited mechanical expertise isn't able to diagnose things with absolute certainty each time, but I've a feeling it's my front right suspension.
So the questions are, am I right? The spring looks fine, so would you suggest shock only replacement? Obviously in pairs. And how feasible is it for a numpty to do it at home...spanners, time and spring compressors? I think the only thing that worries me is the spring compressors actually. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180726/2f06b82518d12c7f92013bf5202eeea8.jpg)
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Are you certain that spring is sound? It looks to be sat at a funny angle, like it's bulging out at the middle?
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Well actually I'm not. I made an assumption because of the look of the shock. I also just stuck my phone in behind the wheel to take the picture rather than looking with the naked eye.
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Might just be a trick of the photo but I'm used to springs being more or less the same pitch top to bottom, it looks like the upper coils are at a sharper angle than the rest which might mean a broken spring. Or it could be just how they are?
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I'll take a proper look tomorrow and report back!
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Someone will be along in the meantime to say the spring is fine I'm sure, I've had coilovers on for a year so can barely remember what standard springs look like.
The shocker does look wet through, unless you've recently sprayed up there with oil or something?
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No, nothing sprayed anywhere near there recently.
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180726/6e33c1b9f10a3b0f07fea1f391a9ee64.jpg)
It looks oily so probably the seals have blown in the shock, see if you can work out what the bit I've circled is too.
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A general re fresh looks in order regardless of the specifics.
In line with club policy of spending other peoples money. ;)
The shock is clearly blown, and it makes sense to do shocks and springs at the same time... and also makes sense to do all 4 - because they will all be of a similar age.... It's time .... Treat yoself
And yes - easy job with home tools and spring compressors. The screw down type do the job with no dramas.
It's a moderately difficult job, not easy as such. Depends how much experience you have in car repairs. As others have said, i would refresh the whole lot - shocks, springs and top mounts. I did it on my car and it transformed the front end.
Quote from: PhilzMR2 on July 27, 2018, 08:39
It's a moderately difficult job, not easy as such. Depends how much experience you have in car repairs. As others have said, i would refresh the whole lot - shocks, springs and top mounts. I did it on my car and it transformed the front end.
We, club, did it at ding day in the car park. I agree with Phil, it's not easy.
It can be done though. What's your experience on spannering?
Well apologies, I didn't get time today to take a better look. Re my experience, I consider myself a willing novice of sorts. Happy to do oil changes, and try my hand at most things, but this all comes with a caveat; it's my daily driver, so whatever I do, I have to be reasonably confident that I can put it all back together again, and working without the car being off the road for too long.
I'm not sure exactly on costs, but not sure I can stretch to all four corners in one go. Is second hand to be avoided?
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Quote from: Ardent on July 26, 2018, 23:03
A general re fresh looks in order regardless of the specifics.
In line with club policy of spending other peoples money. ;)
While your working on it it's best to do other little jobs, like turbo upgrade.
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While changing struts and springs doesn't require a lot of expertise, it is a safety related repair. If you have never done suspension work, I would suggest taking it to a shop. Plus, the car should be aligned after the work anyway. Considering the labor involved, and the relatively affordable cost of aftermarket struts like KYB, second hand doesn't make sense. Maybe a second hand spring, but the rest of the parts should be new
From the looks of that strut, the complete suspension needs freshened. You might get away with doing one end, but if one strut is that bad, all of the rest are not far behind.
Quote from: SombreroPeak on July 27, 2018, 23:34
I'm not sure exactly on costs, but not sure I can stretch to all four corners in one go. Is second hand to be avoided?
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Unless you want to replace " like for like" I suggest you avoid second hand, whatever you get is likely to be in a very similar condition to those you are replacing.
As StuC mentioned, a Member ( with help/ hindrance advice and cajoling from others) refreshed all 4 corners on his 2 at Ding Day, not to be recommended on a daily drive though.
Plus Gas all nuts before you start and plan to do one end a day/session.
Any time left at the end of each " day" you can devote to fitting a @Smcknighty (https://www.mr2roc.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=23495) turbo!
I've just done mine.
Pics of shock in bits on my project build thread.
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Sombrero
Covered many time on here. Better to save up and do the lot. False economy putting 2nd hand shocks on. Same with people who consider just sprigs or just shocks. Ultimately you will end up paying twice for the same labour.
You do have the advantage of being close to loughborough and Steve at D1 Customs, you have the comfort of knowing the job will be done correctly.
Quite agree Ardent, he did my post-purchase inspection, followed by my subframe and front bearing; absolutely top job and a top guy to boot. Guess I'll start filling that piggy bank again!
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