Any front monoball installation advice??

[kilodawg]

I've searched not much in the way of info as a DIY project.

Since I'm still new to all this I like to go into each project with as much info as possible.

I opted for the Rennline units since I'm also incorporating the integrated and triangulated strut brace.

Any issues with removing the shock retaining nut or compressing the shock to get access? I'd love to hear some feedback from anybody who has done this before.

Thanks!

[kilodawg]

Anyone???

[lally911]

Use an impact wrench to get the nut off the shock. Have the strut supported when you take the nut off. Just takes brute force to compress the shock.

[jaydubya]

Let's see...

An impact wrench makes removing the strut top nut easy since you don't need to worry about keeping the strut shaft from spinning.

You will have to remove all the black tar-like stuff that the factory applied:



If you will be replacing or removing your strut cartridges, tape your fender lips. Also, keep a careful eye on the brake lines when you compress the cartridge to swing it out of the fender - they will need to be stretched slightly but you don't want to damage them.

This would be a good time to consider whether you want to try to get more camber. People have modified the stock strut tops to narrow their profile. Along with this, the dust covers are often removed and replaced with a rubber bellows-type cover to keep it from interfering with the side of the chassis. See this thread.

People often spot-weld the monoball to the OEM strut top in a couple of places like this:



However I would follow whatever directions that Rennline provides you in this regard.

[KFC911]

You've already received some exellent advice. I did the Rennline monoball & traigulated strut brace install a few years ago, and don't recall any 'surprises'. Hardest part was getting all of the 'black goop' removed without marring the paint (I used a hair dryer & plastic knife). Good luck!

[kilodawg]

The black goop is gone. Hopefully nothing will be as time consuming as that was.

[KFC911]

The hard part is over, nice job ! Don't forget to tape your fender lip in case you have an 'uh oh' when removing/installing the shock insert and you're good...

[pieterk]

Originally posted by kilodawg
The black goop is gone. Hopefully nothing will be as time consuming as that was.

Wow, nice job.

Since I knew I'd be having weld work done and a repaint, I didn't worry about keeping the paint intact, but you really did a clean job.

There's great advice above, but one more little tip which might help compressing the shock is to find a stiff enough but also thin enough piece of wood to use as a lever to compress the shock (I have a bunch of 1" square oak scrap). Slip it over the top side edge of the dust cap on the strut, and against the far inside edge of the fender (around where it meets the body), preferably against the seam if you can, and use the lever action of the wood to carefully compress the shock. Much easier than grabbing the top with both hands and pulling it down, especially if it's a stiff shock.

[kilodawg]

Thanks for the tip. If it looks clean it's only because after I removed the black crap I repainted everything with a Preval sprayer.