[MikeFitz95]

A quick question. On a 2004 salon. Do I need to take out the the complete strut to replace the strut mount or can they be changed without removing from the spring (I've no spring compressor).

Thanks in advance,
Mike.

 

[steve12955]

The assembly has to be removed. The strut mount is part of the assembly and is held in by the strut top nut.

 

[unclemiltie]

and to add to Steve's answer, yes you need a spring compressor as the strut mount is part of that assembly that has to be taken apart.

 

[qwikredline]

I agree BUT. IF you support the lower control arm with a jack , undo sway bar drop link and preload the control arm and spring strut assembly with the jack to trim height you can then remove the upper strut mount top plate. Then undo the strut shaft nut and remove it Then replace the upper strut mount plate holding the strut mount in place ( don’t over tighten ) then leaving jack in place undo strut to knuckle bolt nuts leaving bolts in place then slowly lower jack until strut spring had no tension. Then hammer the strut to knuckle bolts out and you are done. Replace is the opposite but because the upper strut plate covers the hole you will have to be very careful to line up the strut shaft with the strut mount hole. Or drill a small hole in Center of strut cover plate so you visually orient the strut shaft during assembly and plug hole after with a nice plastic plug

 

[unclemiltie]

that sounds like it's awful risky though

or you could go to the local auto parts store and borrow from their tool loaner inventory a spring compressor. or buy a cheap one from HF like this:

MacPherson Strut Spring Compressor Set

MacPherson Strut Spring Compressor Set

www.harborfreight.com

 

[qwikredline]

Absolutely you can. I bought my compressors decades ago cheep on eBay. Had to dress the hex nuts on them but they work find keep threads greased. But the alternative I offered isn’t risky with a proper floor jack. Just not easy. Like a spring compressor

 

[MikeFitz95]

Thanks all for your response. My friendly local saab specialist has let me use his shop to fit them. I'll let you know how I get on.

Mike.

 

[andybbrown]

I agree BUT. IF you support the lower control arm with a jack , undo sway bar drop link and preload the control arm and spring strut assembly with the jack to trim height you can then remove the upper strut mount top plate. Then undo the strut shaft nut and remove it Then replace the upper strut mount plate holding the strut mount in place ( don’t over tighten ) then leaving jack in place undo strut to knuckle bolt nuts leaving bolts in place then slowly lower jack until strut spring had no tension. Then hammer the strut to knuckle bolts out and you are done. Replace is the opposite but because the upper strut plate covers the hole you will have to be very careful to line up the strut shaft with the strut mount hole. Or drill a small hole in Center of strut cover plate so you visually orient the strut shaft during assembly and plug hole after with a nice plastic plug

Or spend a fifty and save your fingers?

 

[Jeremy R.]

I just go down to AutoZone or O'Reilly's and rent/borrow their strut spring compressors. You pay them $50 or so, and you get it all back when you return the tools. I prefer the ones from AutoZone because you can put a socket on them and use an impact driver. The ones at O'Reilly's have a mushroom head that requires you to use a wrench. I'm sure they think it's a safety thing, but it just makes them inconvenient to use. AutoZone now rents a type like the official Saab strut spring compressor, which uses a pair of large c-shaped pieces to compress the spring from one side, but you have to fork out something closer to $150 initially to rent that one. I'll try it next time.