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baxtor, I really like your compressor. It looks to me like you could change out tops with it still in the car. Use a sideways air rachet and drop it down after compressing the spring.
Clever indeed.
On thread subject, just changed out a brand-new Welsh mount today, rotted on the shelf in the garage or should I say melted.
One note of interest, again, one washer slipped right down on the shock shaft, the other one required a bit of strong ratcheting to get the ream to clear out the extra metal. I keep a shock at the vise just to check every one.
l think the binding in the bore of that "washer" is down to sloppy plating. I, as you do, always run a reamer through it.
Ben at simply performance has some of mine, l believe he is rebuilding new URO mounts, replacing the marshmallow with my poly components. He just recently checked the shore hardness l use.(probably at your request Kuddlesworth)
l do actually use 60 shore A poly, slightly over hardened to give 60 - 70 shore A range.
In effect my mounts, brand new hardware.
Ben at simply performance has some of mine, he just recently checked the shore hardness l use.
l do actually use 60 shore A poly, slightly over hardened to give 60 - 70 shore A range.
Good to know then, thanks. I take it they are essentially the same as yours?
Went back and checked my records and as one who has completed 7 replacement cycles in 13 years using everything from OEM to URO (at least 2 sets), Welsh (OEM equivalent) and 2 sets of Welsh Poly's and now #7 a set of Wayne's - I feel confident based on reports that I am done for quite a while unless I am helping someone else replace theirs. So if you're in the Charleston SC area - let me know and we can knock these out in short order. I installed Wayne's this past Sunday - took 2 hours only because I backed up out of the garage enough to do one side, then had to install the wheel, reposition and complete the passenger side.
What style of spring compressor did you use? Wish I could do it in 2 hours.
the first few times I rented a spring compressor from Advance Auto, but once I got my 20ton press, I just use it - pic below.
I'm afraid to use my 2t press in that manner...feels like a bomb waiting to explode!
Also, when I line up the shock/ spring they do not sit vertical but rather at a slight angle, only once under a bit of pressure can I force them vertical
Have you ever had the strut slip off?
WJ.
Jim, I too did the press compressing and it works, but I did have a chain running through the spring around one of the columns, after the first few times.
The curve in the spring moves the shock at an angle and required me to use a tool to guide the shock stem into place. Having my head at the bottom of the spring was a bit uncomfortable. LOL
I did buy a spring compressor that allows me to get the spring centered with no curve, so I can release it smoothly. Now, this does bring up a problem that I have had, the curve after install is complete, that could push the top of the shock off center, well, my opinion it is one of the things we have to determine. Just looking at the shock not centered in the spring makes me wonder if a new spring will do the same. When I install my new springs later this summer, I will let you know.
Steve is this something you have observed?
@cjd777 I haven't noticed any issues with the shock being off center. I don't maintain the spring compressed - once I get the nut off the shock, I slowly release pressure on the press until I can remove the assembly and remove the faulty mount. On reinstall of the new mount, I set everything up on the press and hold the shock in the vertical position until i get some pressure on it, then slowly compress while monitoring the position of the shock stem into the mount. Once the stem clears to where I can thread the nut on a few turns, I finish compressing and tighten the nut, then slowly release pressure to remove the entire assembly.
The first time I changed the top mounts I used this rented tool from Advance Auto, please stay away from this tool, lucky I still have my fingers.
The second time, yes the second and only one month later. This time using Wayne's parts. I removed both struts and took them to work. In less than 5 minutes I replaced both.
Wish I had access to a press like yours. I need to replace my Welsh mounts AGAIN and have Wayne’s latest models on the bench. I’m dealing with rotator cuff issues presently so have to put the task off and I DREAD doing it without a press. Local shops don’t want to do it (liability with 3rd party parts).
Gian, thank you for your confidence in my efforts. Hope to be around to see one last that long. LOL
Not so sure the combination of parts involved in that suspension area being worn is not a big factor in the mounts having some of the issues.
One of the major problems was the washer that goes down to the shelf at the top of the shock stud was too small, took a while to wind that one. Remember how difficult it was to get your mount off, that was the problem, it had been hammered down the shaft. About every third one that comes to me needs to be reamed.
That's enough, sounds like they are on the way to having a good product. Here's hoping.
Hi Wayne, I am new her. I am searching for shock mounts for my 2000 XK8. I've been reading all over this forum and everything has pointed me to you. Could you assist?
