Suspension refresh, what else do I need?
Discussion
Posted this yesterday whilst the hamsters were on their tea break, so I'll start again....
The shed is in need of new springs and shocks, and I've been trying to find the full assembly to buy so it's more of a bolt off, bolt on affair, rather than dicking about swapping the topmounts, boots, washers, and all the other crap from a 100k miles car, but all I can find is some gauge reference to some overpriced Monroe stuff.
ECP/CP4L only seem to sell the shocks and springs, not any of the other gubbins. It would be nice to get everything prepared and built up so the car is off the road as little as possible.
Are there "kits" available for the ancillaries anywhere? Either with or without the springs/shocks?
TIA
The shed is in need of new springs and shocks, and I've been trying to find the full assembly to buy so it's more of a bolt off, bolt on affair, rather than dicking about swapping the topmounts, boots, washers, and all the other crap from a 100k miles car, but all I can find is some gauge reference to some overpriced Monroe stuff.
ECP/CP4L only seem to sell the shocks and springs, not any of the other gubbins. It would be nice to get everything prepared and built up so the car is off the road as little as possible.
Are there "kits" available for the ancillaries anywhere? Either with or without the springs/shocks?
TIA
If you can’t find all the parts to a strut from ECP/CP4L then why not look on eBay or go to your local motor factors. Are you looking at buying a complete unit as you don’t know how to fit the top mounts/boots/ bearings? Or don’t have any spring compressors? I’m sure if you find a decent reputable seller on eBay that has all the parts, you could see whether they’d build your strut for you for a few ££ (hoping they know what they’re doing).
Oscar011 said:
If you can’t find all the parts to a strut from ECP/CP4L then why not look on eBay or go to your local motor factors. Are you looking at buying a complete unit as you don’t know how to fit the top mounts/boots/ bearings? Or don’t have any spring compressors? I’m sure if you find a decent reputable seller on eBay that has all the parts, you could see whether they’d build your strut for you for a few ££ (hoping they know what they’re doing).
I've got spring compressors, and have fitted coilovers before, so I half know what I'm doing... 
The only topmounts/bearings I can find on eBay are for the C-Max, which is the same as the MK2 focus.
I'll go see the LMF this weekend.
Dave. said:
Emailed the LMF, wasn't expecting a response so quick.
He said he can't get hold of rear topmounts, checked the Haynes and it looks like there isn't one, it just bolts direct to the crossmember.
Reasonable prices too, all KYB.
Oh that’s good then! Not familiar with the set up so couldn’t help too much. Can’t fault KYB too. Have you managed to sort your front struts set up too? He said he can't get hold of rear topmounts, checked the Haynes and it looks like there isn't one, it just bolts direct to the crossmember.
Reasonable prices too, all KYB.
Pretty much yeah, found an exploded diagram, there's a dustboot, bumpstop, and gasket. When I do pick up the rest, I'll see if they can get them, if not I'll swap them over.
I'll probably just shove the angle grinder through the old springs rather than piss about with the spring compressors, last thing I want is the spring breaking while it's got the compressors on them.
I'll probably just shove the angle grinder through the old springs rather than piss about with the spring compressors, last thing I want is the spring breaking while it's got the compressors on them.
Dave. said:
I'll probably just shove the angle grinder through the old springs rather than piss about with the spring compressors, last thing I want is the spring breaking while it's got the compressors on them.
WTF!!!!!!Rather that than a 10,000rpm fragile cutting disc & the stored energy of the spring are in the same area as hands & face!!!!!
Don't even think about it, use the correct tool for the job.
Dave. said:
I'll probably just shove the angle grinder through the old springs rather than piss about with the spring compressors
You're suggesting taking an angle grinder to loaded springs? That is insanely dangerous. If you think that's a reasonable thing to do, you probably shouldn't plan to do this type of job yourself.Dave. said:
Pretty much yeah, found an exploded diagram, there's a dustboot, bumpstop, and gasket. When I do pick up the rest, I'll see if they can get them, if not I'll swap them over.
I'll probably just shove the angle grinder through the old springs rather than piss about with the spring compressors, last thing I want is the spring breaking while it's got the compressors on them.
I shouldn’t laugh but I’ve never heard anyone say that before or try it! Just don’t! For sakes of an extra 5/10 mins per side of compressing the springs safely. You’ve got to think.. the amount you’ll compress the spring will be like your car going over a small bump, and they haven’t broken yet over a bump so I’m sure they’ll be fine compressing them. If your worried at least pay a garage to dissemble/assemble the springs for you. I'll probably just shove the angle grinder through the old springs rather than piss about with the spring compressors, last thing I want is the spring breaking while it's got the compressors on them.
Cutting springs under compression with an angle grinder sounds like a s
t idea to me. I'm sure people have done it, but they where likely under pressure and short of an spring compressor.
On the other hand, the strut not having a top mount, will go very long way as to why you can't find anyone selling one
Daniel
t idea to me. I'm sure people have done it, but they where likely under pressure and short of an spring compressor.On the other hand, the strut not having a top mount, will go very long way as to why you can't find anyone selling one
Daniel
E-bmw said:
I can only assume you have never seen an angle grinder disc shatter & the mess it makes when it explodes then?
I have only seen 2 more scary things in my life.
2. A compressed air cylinder making like an Exocet missile.
1. An actual Exocet missile impact.
Sh*t that doesn’t seem pleasant. Guessing this is a career in the Navy/RAF.I have only seen 2 more scary things in my life.
2. A compressed air cylinder making like an Exocet missile.
1. An actual Exocet missile impact.
Oscar011 said:
E-bmw said:
I can only assume you have never seen an angle grinder disc shatter & the mess it makes when it explodes then?
I have only seen 2 more scary things in my life.
2. A compressed air cylinder making like an Exocet missile.
1. An actual Exocet missile impact.
Sh*t that doesn’t seem pleasant. Guessing this is a career in the Navy/RAF.I have only seen 2 more scary things in my life.
2. A compressed air cylinder making like an Exocet missile.
1. An actual Exocet missile impact.
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