OK, This is going to sound like a stupid question but here goes anyway. I have the car off the ground and on jack stand. Ready to remove shock. Where do I start? Do I remove lower mounting bolt first and then the upper strut nut of vice-versa. Has anyone done this? I started to remove the upper strut nut but there is some tension on that thing now that I have wheels off the ground.

Thanks in advance....

Joe

98 VDP

 

You need to raise and support the lower control arms to take the spring tension off of the shock before you remove the shock. Once you remove the lower bolt you have to wrestle the shock out of the bracket and compress it to move it clear of the lower control arm and then remove it. It is easier if you remove the upper shock mounting bracket so you don't have to compress the shock and you can inspect the upper bushings while it is off. My car has 78K and the upper bushings are fine

 

Thanks for the info. I will buy another jack to lift the suspension and get it done. I appreciate the help.

Joe