Car work…
Hmm, so it looks like I’m going to need to take my car in for the weird clicking / squeaking suspension issue. It appears that I’ve got a problem with the driver’s side strut, as if I open the hood and bounce that corner of the car by pressing down on the portion of the car where the upper strut mount attaches, a clicking sound can be heard from the center shaft of the strut.
So, I’m thinking that it’s a strut issue… At least I know it’s safe enough to drive to Cedar Point and for the next little while. I wouldn’t mind doing the work myself, but because of the need to compress the springs and ensure that things are torqued to spec, I’m not going to do it.
Now to find a place that can be trusted who can get the car done in a reasonable amount of time…
For now I think I’ll just get an oil change and tire rotation, and maybe tomorrow I’ll do the rear brakes. Those have never been done, and I imagine they are getting close.
When it comes out through the front wing of the car you’re in trouble ! Also, trying to fix it yourself and compress the springs is doomed to failure. Even if you think you can squash the spring between a hydraulic jack and a work bench with your mum sitting on it and then get some clamps on to hold the spring while you transfer it back to the car…. It will take at least three attempts and you will have to sacrifice a chunk of your left hand.
Not that I speak with the voice of experience here. Honest.
Hehe… You said wing. ;)
That’s a really scary idea as to how to compress a spring… And I thought using a normal spring tensioner sounded bad!
It worked in the end. We only pinged my Mum across the garage once.
You just need a spring compressing tool – I personally did struts all around on a 1981 jetta myself….rented the tool from the local tool shop for the day and voila – done. I spent more time at the auto wrecker finding cheap replacements. :)
I’ve had good luck over the years with M&W Motors in Mt. Clemens.
Wolfgang does good work.
Oh, thanks. I forgot about them… I may have to look them up and schedule a good day.
Midas did my struts and shocks. I mean my CAR’s. Very happy with them but there are no doubt people who are not. Individually owned.
autozone will loan you the spring compressor free. i changed the springs in my mustang with that, a socket wrench and a pair of channel locks. but it sucked ass real bad. you can do it but its just not worth the trouble.