Hi guys I have to change all the shocks and springs along with the front disks.

 

any tips on doing this job as only watched a video on it,

 

anyone know the size of the socket needed to pull the strut off on the video it says 30mm

 

whats the best size of spring compression tool should i buy?  

If you are talking about the hub/damper pinch bolt it's a 14mm triple square spline on the bolt, you may get away with pipe grips/locking pliers. The nut will be 19mm probably, I can't recall offhand.

 

Be sure to wire brush the bolt threads and apply a penetrant to aid removal, also ensure you spread the hub sufficiently to allow the strut to be removed, being mindful that the strut has a locating tab that could jam in the gap depending on how you spread the hub.

 

I've tried twisting an allen key in the gap but found it wasn't enough to free the strut, I got the dimensions for the VW tool and made my own, see my post detailing it.  Works great, what took ages with all sorts jammed in the gap and encouragement from a thumb detector now takes seconds.

 

Re spring compressors, most are about 30cm, less will do as you aren't gripping full length of spring.

 

Cheap ebay ones do the job for a tenner, wear gloves and eye protection, keep the spring horizontal on the ground with something to protect the spring paint, small chips start the rust.  Always have the spring facing left-right not towards you keeping your fingers out of the coils.

 

A compressed spring that lets go for whatever reason is like a grenade.

 

Just reread your post, the damper rod top nut is around the 19-22mm as I recall, however your particular model may differ from mine, get a £1 plastic vernier caliper and check, available in most supermarket DIY/automotive sections.

 

TBH if you are asking here, it sounds like you're keen but inexperienced and possibly lacking tools.  Get a pal with the tools or you could find yourself beached halfway through the job.

Edited 6 June, 20205 yr by MicMac

I meant this nut in the centre am sure its bigger then a 14mm

.

 

 

That'll be the driveshaft nut... yes I think it is around the size you mentioned, a large imperial size can be substituted.

 

The larger the nut generally you can get away with a slightly loose fit in a pickle.

 

Odd my octavia has bolts that secure the driveshafts, you have nuts... a newer model than my 2006.

Edited 6 June, 20205 yr by MicMac

You do not need to remove that nut for the work you intend to do.

I,m just following the video

 

 

I did the job about 18 months ago, maybe my memory does not serve me well but I'm sure that I left the driveshaft and lower swivel attached (not sure about the track rod end) & levered down the hub carrier to disengage the strut.

 

It was tight and would have certainly been easier doing it the way of the video but i am pretty sure that's how I did it, exactly the same manner as all previous FWD cars with similar suspension.

dont know the size of the socket do you it says 30mm in the vid but there not cheap so want to make sure its the correct one,

 

did you use spring clamps?

Edited 6 June, 20205 yr by sealover1

agree with JR no need to remove the drive shaft bolt to change the shocks and springs,

 

just have both sides on axle stands so you are not fighting against the anti roll bar and get a good strut spread tool

 

also remove the 3 ball joint nuts and press the wishbone down to give you extra room the take the shock out of the housing

 

 

That's odd, the Haynes manual states to remove the driveshaft bolt and the 3 balljoint nuts, freeing the hub.

 

I tried to cut corners and it never worked on both occasions, at full downwards deflection the driveshaft hits the ARB/wishbone before I have enough room to pull the strut up and out.

 

It's possible to faff with the spring compressors in situ but it's more trouble than it's worth.

Edited 6 June, 20205 yr by MicMac

31 minutes ago, wiilydog said:

agree with JR no need to remove the drive shaft bolt to change the shocks and springs,

 

just have both sides on axle stands so you are not fighting against the anti roll bar and get a good strut spread tool

 

also remove the 3 ball joint nuts and press the wishbone down to give you extra room the take the shock out of the housing

 

 

 

 

 

this is a Jetta??

I always have both sides up on axle stands for ease of manipulation and I can assure you there is not enough downwards deflection to allow strut release.

 

In the interval I've second guessed myself and confirmed with 2 YT videos, your car must be different.

4 hours ago, sealover1 said:

it says 30mm in the vid but there not cheap

 

Silverline 736697 Socket 1/2" Drive 12 Point Metric 30mm £5.75 fleabay 2 day delivery

You need May 4th to be with you

 

You have to make it have it, the last couple of inches of downward movement need faith & belief and preferably a very long lever to strand on, the struts will come out, in fact getting them back in is the tricky part because the hub carrier is flopping around and you need to get it correctly aligned with both hands while levering the hub carrier down with your knee or foot.

 

A helper would make it easier but I never have one.

 

I simply use a narrow cold chisel to spread the clamp.

I'm not afraid to use force when required but short of having Chubby Brown on a pinch bar and levering the driveshaft out of the gearbox I can assure you it didn't work for me and all workshop procedures/YT videos remove the hub from the driveshaft when removing the strut.

 

I'm sure the OP will advise how they got on after the job.

12 hours ago, StickyMicky said:

 

Silverline 736697 Socket 1/2" Drive 12 Point Metric 30mm £5.75 fleabay 2 day delivery

 

Thanks dude would you know the correct budget spring compressor I need to use would be please?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pair-of-Heavy-Duty-Coil-Spring-Compressor-Clamps-Professional-Struts-NEW-15-51/131884713803?epid=12004293562&hash=item1eb4f1074b:g:OuMAAOSwIchewrTP

16 hours ago, MicMac said:

I'm not afraid to use force when required but short of having Chubby Brown on a pinch bar and levering the driveshaft out of the gearbox I can assure you it didn't work for me and all workshop procedures/YT videos remove the hub from the driveshaft when removing the strut.

 

And all mechanics will do whatever is the easiest and quickest for them, I am fortunate that when faced with a relatively familiar job I still have the confidence to just throw myself at it and sort out the details on the hoof relying on the manual or more likely these days Youtube only when I screw up, it would appear that in this instance I saved myself time and grief by not following recieved wisdom.

 

My vehicle details are in my profile, yours are not, is there any significant difference between them?

 

I watched Willdogs video and those two clowns making the video struggled so much to remove the strut that they had to do it as a re-enactment, I didn't struggle and there was just one of me, I did not disconnect the anti-rollbar link, nor the bottom swivel and more importantly left the top mount bolted in place, you need that to remain fixed while you lever the hub down.

 

If you really need a little bit extra you could compress the spring in situ but I definitely didn't.

Edited 7 June, 20205 yr by J.R.

well this will be my 1st time I bought to two tools i will need and am hoping the Octavia vid will be pretty close to it I dont mind what I have to do as long as it gets done 

My mate was supposed to be helping me with a similar job on my 2006 4x4 Octy2. Then he got covid19, and anyway we're all locked down. He was going to compress the springs in situ too.

Anyway my ride has had to go to the CarDoc instead ... probably too late, but I'll ask how they did it when I collect later in the week.

PS Good Luck

Edited 8 June, 20205 yr by CB_4x4

ok mate any advise would be great

I think you were misled, here's a how to on the Golf MkV/Octavia 2 platform:

 

 

but thats a golf?? so is it a 27mm socket i need I just bought a 30mm from the link above 

You are really getting yourself tied in knots...

 

First you post a photo showing a brake disc from an unfamiliar vehicle.

 

Then you post a video showing a MkI Octavia.

 

Then someone posts a video showing a couple of tools working on a Jetta and a difference of opinion arises regarding whether the driveshaft needs to be disconnected.

 

All I can say is I've done the job 6 times on my Octavia, twice I struggled to remove the struts resorting to using spring compressors in situ then I saved time and trouble by removing the driveshaft from the hub as every proper guide shows.

 

The video depicts a Mk5 Golf as that is what the Mk2 Octavia is based on and Mk2 Octavia videos are limited, I don't know about the Jetta especially a US spec model.

yea your probably right and the fact the video I posted looked like a band new car lol think I will ring the main agents as the main thing I need to know is the size of the hub socket