Suspension coil spring replacement

ImranQ

AdrianC wrote: »

I always take online reviews with a serious pinch of salt - but I wouldn't rate any cheap electric rattlegun. Mains, higher than battery or 12v, though.

There's a time when a rattlegun is better than a breaker bar - but it's mostly when there's a chance of the other end spinning. Apart from that, it's just a timesaver. I have a rattlegun, but air rather than electric - and I rarely use it, preferring the breaker most of the time.

I tried a makeshift breaker bar with a pipe and a sliding bar that came with my socket set but the sliding bar bent LOL. I have ordered the breaker bar you quoted and will try that.
Might need to get someone to push the socket onto the nut as it kept sliding off.

AdrianC

ImranQ wrote: »

I tried a makeshift breaker bar with a pipe and a sliding bar that came with my socket set but the sliding bar bent LOL.

Cheap and nasty tools...

I have ordered the breaker bar you quoted and will try that.

I've used one of those breakers with a c.1m length of scaffpole on 44mm rear hub nuts. No problem.

On anything small, you could put enough torque on to simply shear things, without much hassle.

Might need to get someone to push the socket onto the nut as it kept sliding off.

Are you using an extension? Think about the angles the forces work at. And always use a 6pt socket, not a 12pt bihex.

ImranQ

No I was just using a pipe covering the end of the sliding bar - was a bit loose but I think the sliding bar was cheap quality so it literally bent.

I bought these sockets recently when I ordered the other car parts as the old socket set is more than 30 years old and missing bits:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35pcs-1-2-Drive-Deep-Impact-Metric-Socket-Set-Car-Garage-Tools/264001156807

The new sockets are 6pt.

Thanks for the very useful input/help mate.

alembicbassman

I was charged £70 for a rear spring fitted to my Astra at a local garage. Not bad I thought.

Kwik fit charged me £140 for 2 front springs replaced on a Rover 75. ( They tried to charge me more once I'd dropped the car off after an online quote, but when I threatened to go somewhere else they honoured the original price)

facade

AdrianC wrote: »

WD40 isn't a penetrating oil. It's a water displacer.

PlusGas is as good as any, widely and cheaply available.

Diesel works just as well, and is "free" if your car runs on it , crack the water drain on the filter and bleed a teaspoonful out,