Spring & Shock/Damper Installation Reference Guide

[Hammersticks]

I personally haven't had any issues with the 034 strut mounts. I have only had them for a few thousand miles but so far so good. We'll see.

Stock vs. 034

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[jacincm]

Going to do the install this weekend if I can get the parts in on time. I'm trying to decide which jack I should get to jack up the car. I was thinking this or another similar trolley style:

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-compact-trolley-jack-68783.html

Should this be sufficient enough to get the car up and use for the 2x4 method? Only time I probably would use the jack is for this spring install and switching out wheels/installing spacers.

 

[BxGTI]

I would get a bigger one they have one for like 60 bucks, you could use this one but you'll have to fiddle a lot with it, not worth the hassle


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[MiamiBourne]

Going to do the install this weekend if I can get the parts in on time. I'm trying to decide which jack I should get to jack up the car. I was thinking this or another similar trolley style:

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-compact-trolley-jack-68783.html

Should this be sufficient enough to get the car up and use for the 2x4 method? Only time I probably would use the jack is for this spring install and switching out wheels/installing spacers.

I would spend a little more and one of these. Especially if you are lowering the car. Not sure why they have 2 versions of the 1.5 ton jack.

http://t.harborfreight.com/15-ton-compact-aluminum-racing-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-62160.html

 

[snobrdrdan]

The compact/aluminum jack is NOT the best for actually working on your car.
It's "okay" for track days or something, or for a jack to keep in your car & change a flat tire...that's about it.

THIS is the best jack for the money....you can find a coupon for it for $73 or $80 in their flyer usually:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...vy-Duty-Floor-Jack-with-Rapid-Pump-61282.html

It's low profile for getting under a lowered car & lifts way higher than the compact one
You won't find a better jack for the money...trust me, I tried. I have 2 of those in the garage now

 

[koharatx]

The compact/aluminum jack is NOT the best for actually working on your car.
It's "okay" for track days or something, or for a jack to keep in your car & change a flat tire...that's about it.

THIS is the best jack for the money....you can find a coupon for it for $73 or $80 in their flyer usually:
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-ton-...vy-Duty-Floor-Jack-with-Rapid-Pump-61282.html

It's low profile for getting under a lowered car & lifts way higher than the compact one
You won't find a better jack for the money...trust me, I tried. I have 2 of those in the garage now

+1 for the Harbor Freight 3-ton low profile jack. It's great for cars and trucks. Used it all over the place before getting one of my own.

 

[jacincm]

Thanks fellas, looks like I'll be grabbing the HF 3-ton!

When reassembling the strut mount top nut, are you guys using a pass through socket? Seems like the only way if you're not using an impact gun. Just wondering how I could get the proper torque specs using a torque wrench using the pass through socket.

This looks like a good alternative that allows you to use an allen key to keep it from spinning while attaching this socket to a regular torque wrench:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/strut-nut-socket-21mm/003046sch01a-03/

Anybody have experience?

 

[BxGTI]

Thanks fellas, looks like I'll be grabbing the HF 3-ton!

When reassembling the strut mount top nut, are you guys using a pass through socket? Seems like the only way if you're not using an impact gun. Just wondering how I could get the proper torque specs using a torque wrench using the pass through socket.

This looks like a good alternative that allows you to use an allen key to keep it from spinning while attaching this socket to a regular torque wrench:

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben-parts/strut-nut-socket-21mm/003046sch01a-03/

Anybody have experience?

That is the actual proper tool to be able to torque to spec ( the one from your link)
In a pinch you could use a spark plug socket


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[jacincm]

Thanks man. Yeah I'm probably just going to get this rather than try and purchase a pass through socket/ratchet. The only thing I was concerned about was whether the allen key would fit in the opening of the Schwaben socket but after speaking to others it looks like I should be fine.

 

[BxGTI]

Thanks man. Yeah I'm probably just going to get this rather than try and purchase a pass through socket/ratchet. The only thing I was concerned about was whether the allen key would fit in the opening of the Schwaben socket but after speaking to others it looks like I should be fine.

Yeah, it's best to the get correct tool that way you can use a torque wrench
Just keep in mind that if you are changing the struts as well you need to confirm that the nut is 21mm I think that Koni uses a 22mm and the tool will be useless at that point

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[jacincm]

Yeah luckily im only doing a spring swap so ill only need the 21 mm.

Thanks for all your help in answering my questions guys, youve been extremely helpful. i think theres a lot of details that many overlook when doing the spring install from scratch. i have no tools so having to buy everything to do the job is starting to cost more than the spring/hardware itself lol.

I guess it's always good to have a good tool set if you plan on modding your car.

 

[snobrdrdan]

Yeah, it's best to the get correct tool that way you can use a torque wrench
Just keep in mind that if you are changing the struts as well you need to confirm that the nut is 21mm I think that Koni uses a 22mm and the tool will be useless at that point

For that instance, Metalnerd makes a 21/22mm strut socket:
https://www.urotuning.com/Strut-Nut...p/MN2122.htm?gclid=CL6uvbPXk9ICFda6wAodflUDWA

 

[travicon]

So I'm chasing some front end suspension clunk since doing my HR springs a week ago. After reading through this I'm now convinced my upper strut bolts are way too tight. Should I order new ones and replace these again? Or loosen the ones I currently have on there? My dad and I did the install and then went over everything again on Sunday and the car is still clunky over bumps/imperfections but not while turning. When we went over everything on Sunday it all seemed torqued down pretty well(we did the 2x4 method so there's not much that we touched in the first place) so I'm at a loss here. His done tons of jeep suspension jobs and I used to be very active on Mazda 3 forums and have done several myself but we are just stumped. Any other suggestions? We replaced the factory strut bearing with 034, replaced the pinch bolt/nuts, and replaced the upper strut mount bolts on both sides.

 

[BxGTI]

Install the factory strut bearing and see if that fixes the problem


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[snobrdrdan]

After reading through this I'm now convinced my upper strut bolts are way too tight

That wouldn't create the clunking.

I would've been careful going too tight with them though, the bolt holes/nuts on the mounts aren't that strong & can strip if overtightened. But they won't create any issues if they're "too tight"

See post #18 here:
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26688&page=2

I would've used the OEM mounts instead