Removing Front Struts Without Need for an Alignment

I have an ’86 Cab. My car was recently aligned and I just decided to add Bilstein sports. A while back I recall someone mentioning that there is a way to easily remove the front struts and also avoid the need for an alignment. If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Thanks

Jim

Jim,

At a track event I helped a guy who broke the stud on the strut insert. It's obviously not the "proper" way, but it worked. To change the insert we put the front end on stands.

1. Wrap the strut in a towel to protect the paint and compress the insert while in the fender well(after turning the wheels to provide maximum clearance)

2. Pull the assembly to the outside of the fender(it was tight clearance, I think it was because these were turbo front fenders)

3. Drive the roll pin out of the bottom of the strut.

4. Remove the old insert...put the new one in w/bump stop....re-installed the roll pin.

5. Compress the new insert...pushed it into the wheel well

6. Before releasing the strut, make certain it is aligned with upper mount hole. (there tough to hold in the compressed postions, so be ready for some heavy breathing)

7.Re-install the lock ring and nut.

Because the camber plate was not moved their was less chance of changing the alingnment. If it were my car, I would check it again. I would think any new component would have the potential to change the alignment.

The only warning he gave me--if I had original rubber brake lines this might crack the lines since they are slightly streched. He had upgraded his with briaded SS lines with a little more length and did not have to worry.

That my 2 cents, Todd

Jim,

Most likely, when you are change the shocks, depending on the new "firmness" of the sport shocks and how worn and sagging the previous ones were, you are changing the way the car sits on the ground. Therefore, to an extent, you are changing the alignment. Anytime you change shocks, tires or tire inflation, number of people in the car and where they sit, stuff in the luggage compartment, or amount of gas in the tank, you change the way the car sits on the ground and will then alter one or more components of the alignment....slightly. Does that mean I would not try the method in the previous listing above? No. Just be aware that while the camber plate and tie-rods dont change by this method, you still can change the geometry relative to these points by changing the way the car sits, and may get some pulling or off behavior. Besides, alignment is cheaper than buying new tires sooner than you expected.
Hope this helps your perspective.



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Nick Shumaker
1982 911SC Coupe