WAFTE June B.S. Thread
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
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From: Algona, Washington
Anyone got any useful pointers for doing struts on a front wheel drive chevy malibu? I get to help a friend who barely knows how to change his oil, do his shocks and struts... I have never used that kind of spring compressor other than the small one for valve springs.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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grease your spring compressor, and don't force it too hard. when i can, i like to set the strut assy in a hydraulic press, and use that to do most of the work, as the little spring compressors tend to have wear issues under load. i assume you're using the compressor thats 2 pieces of all thread with hooks on them, one piece mounted to each side of the spring - yeah, they're decent at holding the load but i've had them lock up on me before, which is why i use the press to do most of the work. grease helps prevent this in most cases, but lockup sucks
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
Likes: 1
From: Algona, Washington
grease your spring compressor, and don't force it too hard. when i can, i like to set the strut assy in a hydraulic press, and use that to do most of the work, as the little spring compressors tend to have wear issues under load. i assume you're using the compressor thats 2 pieces of all thread with hooks on them, one piece mounted to each side of the spring - yeah, they're decent at holding the load but i've had them lock up on me before, which is why i use the press to do most of the work. grease helps prevent this in most cases, but lockup sucks
Good afternoons BTW
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
Likes: 1
From: Algona, Washington
Sounds like fun onug, i get to do more carb work tomorrow. I have to find a manual for mine so i can find the low idle screw. It started off a little messed up. then it got messed up more. Then i poked at it and got it even worse. Then today while hanging out at the park with a few friends i jumped in the engine and set the timing back without a light and played with the screws enough to get it running almost good. The issues now are it starts shuddering when i hit the brakes at a light or stop sign, and it seems to be missing or the ignition timing is still off a bit.
I am proud i was able to fix my own mistake, i have a hard time understanding the carburetor "features"
I am proud i was able to fix my own mistake, i have a hard time understanding the carburetor "features"
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,560
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I am pretty sure it is that style, i don't have a hydraulic press to use though. The ones i saw the shops use were these big metal encased arms on a threaded pole that you align on the spring and then ratchet down. And even those are dangerous.
So pretty much the plan now, is to call down to a shop my brother worked at and get a quote from his friend to see how much it would be to do the struts, then do the rear shocks at my house and take it there to get those done. I got a really unsafe feeling after thinking about that coil popping loose or the compressor failing. It would be easier and safer to both of us just to pay someone the bit of money to do it real quick.
Good afternoons BTW
So pretty much the plan now, is to call down to a shop my brother worked at and get a quote from his friend to see how much it would be to do the struts, then do the rear shocks at my house and take it there to get those done. I got a really unsafe feeling after thinking about that coil popping loose or the compressor failing. It would be easier and safer to both of us just to pay someone the bit of money to do it real quick.
Good afternoons BTW
the other option you have is to buy the strut assy pre-assembled from your local parts store. they obviously cost more up front, but may cost less than the labor for someone else to do it
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,908
Likes: 1
From: Algona, Washington
You know, i worked with a mexican guy once (no offense to the spanish) and he said mexicans are always late, you tell them 2:00 they will be there at 2:10. Maybe you got spanish blood in you Crash 
