No air tools= suspension nightmare?

[Gray S.]

Hey guys. I have been reading up on spring/strut swaps in preparation for my own DIY install and I'm a little concerned about the strut collar and nut for the front end assembly. Is this really going to be impossible to remove without air tools?

I have seen so many DIYers install their own suspensions on here that it cant be that everyone has air tools. It must be possible to remove the front struts without a compressor.

Any tips/tricks on how to get that collar and nut off?

[StereoInstaller1]

If you are doing new struts you should not be worried about the condition of the old struts when you are done...grab that bastard with Vice Grips!

[etxxz]

...i don't think you can remove it with air tools to begin with...

and btw air tools are not nec. i've dont just about everything to an e30 w/o air tools (s52, bushings, suspension, custom suspension..you name it; ive broken one)

this is how you remove the collar nut:
-remove strut from car
-remove hat and then the spring, if you can't you fail...search.
-get Big pliers: $10-20
-put strut (w/o spring obviously) on a rim. bolt it. 2 bolts is enough.
-stand on rim while you use the pliers to remove the collar nut.
-be a man, try some more.
-reverse assembly. Done!

[sticksdaman]

It took me 26 minutes to do the front with the air tools....

First time doing it... it is seriously worth it TRUST me

[mattdk318i]

i dont own a air tool and ive done everything too, Swaps,suspension,ect.....
I agree with the above. Just make sure you add a breakover bar to that list.

[Jean]

Air tools make the job go easier and faster.

[etxxz]

nobody's disagreeing...just saying they're are not necesary for this

[Farbin Kaiber]

That's why I use electric tools.

[einstein57]

Hear is a vdub secret. Spark plug socket with a long 1/4" ratchet going through the middle with an 8mm socket keeping the shock from rotating while you rotate the spark plug socket with a wrench.

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'm trying to picture this...

[2Big4a3Series]

It took me 26 minutes to do the front with the air tools.... First time doing it... it is seriously worth it TRUST me

I agree. If you don't have air tools, rent them. I got a compressor, hose, and an impact wrench from the rental yard for less than $60 for the day.

[Aptyp]

Electric Impact.

The only way it will take 26 mins to do both sides is if you have the best of all world tools (wall mounted spring compressor, tie-rod/ball joint puller (lever kind), etc.).

[VAPORBLADE]

I used hand only. Though I have air too.

The collar nut was the hardest thing - but I put the disc and wheel back on the strut - then stood on the tire to remove the collar nut using a large pipe wrench. quick and easy.

[JGood]

I smacked a pipe wrench with a 10 lb sledge for 15 minutes to get the collar loose on a friends e34. We also had to drill the bottom of the strut tube and push the strut insert up through the top, then re-weld the bottom, as it wouldn't pull out from the top (the casing stayed and the shock internals popped out).

This is why it's stupid to say "you don't need air tools for this". Every car is different, who knows just how much rust is in there. Just because you haven't needed them doesn't mean nobody else will.

[Gray S.]

Hopefully coming from a car that lived its whole life in Alabama I wont have any rust issues. I knew many people had to have done the swap without air power, but I've heard so many complaints about it and esp. this being the original suspension on the car it could be a bear to remove. Worse comes to worse I'll take the strut to a shop and have them blast it off in 5 minutes.