I'm going to be replacing my rear right shock (I accidentally put strut in the subject, please don't flame me) soon. It's blown. Just wondering if there are any helpful hints for removal of the old one and installation of the new one.

I've replace my front struts before. Is the rear harder or easier? The only thing I'm worried about is taking off the lower bolt to the shock. Do I have to take off the rotors and brake assembly for this? I have a large breaker bar so I should be able to get enough torque to get this off... right? Also I have GC coilovers so I dont have to worry about spring compressors or anything like that.

Any tips or pictures are welcomed. I checked vqpower.com, but the only picture of the lower bolt is dark and hard to decipher. Thanks.

-Steve

 

A lot easier than the front. Just undo the bottom bolt as well as the two top ones in the trunk and your all set.

 

it is a strut

 

The rear will be no sweat
-loosen top hat nut DO NOT REMOVE
(re-read original post not too familiar with GC's)
-remove top mount bolts
-loosen lugs, lift rear of car using the beam then support with jackstands on the rear jackpoints (flat spots UNDER each rear door)
-lower the beam so that the rear susp. has no load
-loosen 17mm lower bolt (small breaker bar)
-once it is loose switch to a ratchet and hold the assembly with your right hand and loosen/remove the bolt with you left.
-lower the assemby out of the strut tower and get to work!

This is a breeze compared to the front.

 

Thanks a lot for the input guys. I feel more confident now. Now if this cold snowy weather would clear up that we're experiencing in RI, I would be all set. Can't wait to get rid of that clunking sound I've been hearing. Should tighten up the suspension nicely. And that rear sway bar thats sitting next to my shock in my room should do a bit too. I've heard great things about RSB's. Thanks again guys.

-Steve

 

My advice: Use a lift! Seriously though, I just installed coilovers and the rear was easier than the front. Easier still when it's like this:

 

Anything is easier with a lift.
For his tasks its not really needed though. A jack and a jackstand will be enough to swap out the one strut. Even if he was doing both rears two jackstands in the rear would work just fine as well. The car doesnt need to be real high in the air to complete the job.

 

Yeah install a lift before you work on your car......

Struts are easy. If you have air tools its a lot of fun. If not, then its a little bit of a pain compressing the springs.

Change the struts in pairs too.

Late