Front strut replacement w/o removing hub

[Charlie]

how did you ruin them? you didnt use a picklefork did you? I use some older nuts and thread them on a little ways and then give them a good whack with a hammer - I've taken them out 4 times in the past 6 months and it's worked everytime.

Don't heat the studs up with a torch and whack on them with a mini sledge to knock them out.

Makes putting the nut back on a lot of fun.

Mr Dremel did come to the rescue though.

-Charlie

[65Matt]

Well, I tried to change out my front springs and struts without unbolting the ball joints, and it didn't work - not enough clearance. Maybe people who have done this had lowering springs to start with or something.

[kowalski]

i changed my struts without removing anything but the spring and the strut mounts. compress the spring and then take off the strut mounts after unbolting the shock then it should fall and then ull the spring out its a pain but it can be done and then unscrew and pull the shock out. i have a 318is 91 maybe the settups diferent or lacking room to work, its also got lowering springs so not as much to compress. but i didn't have to take any ball joints out, however im doing this this time anyways because im changing the controll arms tie rods and all the bushings and ball joints i figured shes earned ita fter 255000 km:) anyways hope this helps.