Front springs

[Tottybye]

I've just bought some lowering springs. Just a question on how the shock absorber is bolted on at the top mount. I can only see one bolt? Was expecting more than one. Cheers

[Rusty2009]

Front's are normally only one bolt.

[tucpal]

there is bolt on top of the strut in the engine bay undo that bolt
when you take the strut out you will find one more bolt
that holds the top mount on,

check this out
http://www.mediafire.com/view/p3ubos9ugz...lation.pdf

check the TEC info section on suspension
for more info top mount removal spring etc.

[cornishtaz]

Is this on a 5dr or 3dr?

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[Tottybye]

3dr GTC with flexdrive. Just looked through the link and it looks exactly like mine. Cheers for quick replies

[tucpal]

i did not realize you had GTC it is a slightly different
the top nut and top mount bolt are the same
but the bolts on the knuckle to the damper are in a different position
cornishtaz has done this sure he will help you out.

[cornishtaz]

I think you'll find the info in the link above is for the 5dr the GTC has the Hi-per strut similar to the Insignia VXR.

Its a real pig to remove as you need to remove the complete hub. Unfortunatey I didn't get round to doing a how-to when putting my CDTi back to standard.

If I get time I'll try and do a write up tomorrow and get some pics

[tucpal]

we have all the TIS info on the 5 door but there is no info as yet for the GTC
so it is hard to find info for it as things like the struts are different
a good how to is really needed on this for the GTC thanks baz.

[Tottybye]

Just attempted fitting new springs. But had no luck. Baz, which other bolts do I have to take out.

[cornishtaz]

If you can wait till tomorrow I can get some pics. How far have yoh got

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[Tottybye]

I took drop link off, bolt from top mount, and the bolt behind shock absorber. I could lift the shock absorber about 1.5cm but not enough to free it.

[cornishtaz]

It'll never come out while the yoke/hub is attached. The hub nut is about 250nM and new one will be required. The shock assembly sits about 6 inches in the holder

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[cornishtaz]

The driveshaft prevents the strut dropping enough to remove the shock assembly

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[tucpal]

is he best to remove the hole strut and hub baz for the GTC

[cornishtaz]

is he best to remove the hole strut and hub baz for the GTC

Possibly the best way, unfortunately there's not much info relating to removal of the strut on the GTC. My TIS doesn't cover the GTC at all and the Insignia info just says remove the 3 bolts that Tottybye has already removed. When I removed mine when going back to standard I ysed brut force and ignorance and the driveshaft popped out at the gearbox end and was a right pig to get back in.

I've taken some pictures of the suspension so will upload will more info

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[Tottybye]

Possibly the best way, unfortunately there's not much info relating to removal of the strut on the GTC. My TIS doesn't cover the GTC at all and the Insignia info just says remove the 3 bolts that Tottybye has already removed. When I removed mine when going back to standard I ysed brut force and ignorance and the driveshaft popped out at the gearbox end and was a right pig to get back in.

I've taken some pictures of the suspension so will upload will more info

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Cheers, i got a quote friday, and they said they would do them for £25 each, might have another attempt tomorrow. if i have no success, i might take them up on there offer.

[cornishtaz]

At £25 I'd be having their hands off. When I got mine fitted by Thorney it was £415 for supply, fit and suspension setup

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[Tottybye]

This picture gives a good breakdown of the Hi-per Strut...


https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=hiper+...999%3B2249

[cornishtaz]

If you get it done by the garage, could you see if you can get some info on how they remove the strut assembly and pics of each stage if possible

[Tottybye]

i will ask, thinking the bolt at the bottom of the strut might lower it enough.

[cornishtaz]

Some pics taken today

[ATTACH=CONFIG]65[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]66[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]67[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]68[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]69[/ATTACH]

These are of the courtesy car

[Tottybye]

Surely, the bolt connected to wishbone? You think that might lower hub enough?. Other option might be track rod end?

[cornishtaz]

I think when I did mine I unbolted everything apart from the hub

[Tottybye]

Right, Having attempted it my self, i got the spring off swapped it for new one. When bolting it all back together i noticed the driveshaft bearing had come out and the wouldn't go back in. . So i ended up phoning a Mobile mechanic who came out the next day to put bearings back in, and fit both front springs for £80. It all wasnt simple, the mechanic had no idea why the bearing wouldnt go back in, he explained the bearing should just slide back in easy. so in the end my dad ended up going to help and hitting the hub with something hard and it just popped straight in. Very Strange. Just hope it was all worth the hassle.

[tucpal]

it does seem alot of hassle on the GTC
But it does look better lowered and don't forget the after pic,s

[Tottybye]

Yes, I'm just waiting for it to settle abit first!

[cornishtaz]

Right, Having attempted it my self, i got the spring off swapped it for new one. When bolting it all back together i noticed the driveshaft bearing had come out and the wouldn't go back in. . So i ended up phoning a Mobile mechanic who came out the next day to put bearings back in, and fit both front springs for £80. It all wasnt simple, the mechanic had no idea why the bearing wouldnt go back in, he explained the bearing should just slide back in easy. so in the end my dad ended up going to help and hitting the hub with something hard and it just popped straight in. Very Strange. Just hope it was all worth the hassle.

This happened to me, problem was I had to lift the complete hub, disc and strut( it's not light) to get the driveshaft level then hit the end of the driveshaft with my lump hammer to get it slotted fully home.

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