Front struts R&R

chilibilly · Post by **chilibilly** » Mon May 30, 2005 10:03 pm

I bought shock inserts that suppose to go inside the front shocks of my 83 four door hatch back, 170k. I replaced the rear struts about a month ago. Unlike the wagon, the hatchback has struts all around.

When I got the left strut off, which is fairly easy, two bolts on the lower steering arm and three 12mm on the top in the engine compartment. The manual I have says remove the brake line to the caliper, but I found it was not necessary.

Anyways, when I got the strut off and took the spring off with a strut spring compressor tool, I then unscrewed the top of the strut casing to remove the cartridge and low and behold when I took off the top retaining cap, I found that these struts did not have inner cartridges that I could replace with the ones I bought at Auto Zone. Instead they were self contained and filled with hydrolic fluid. Well I was stuck. I could not use the cartridge replacements. It is Memorial Day and all the parts stores are closed and I need to use the car tomorrow.

This is what I did.

I got a can of hydrolic brake fluid. Because the fluid in the strut appeared to be low, I refilled them with brake fluid. The fluid seemed to be compatible and what the hell I would of otherwise thrown the old struts away. I worked the shock piston up and down as I filled the cartridge adding a little brake fluid each time. You have to leave some air in the cartridge for it to work properly. If you overfill it, it will not work.

I put the cartridge cap back on, reassembled the strut, and remounted it to the car and did the same to the right strut. It seemed to take even more fluid than the Left side. After refilling and replacing both cartridges, I took the car for a test drive. It drove perfect, no body sway, no dipping when applying the brakes, and no tires squelling when accelerating from a stop aroung a corner.

This quick fix worked. Well see how long it last. At least I can use the car now. I think I'll just get my money back on the replacement cartridges.

ChiliBilly

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue May 31, 2005 6:57 am

I've got the same struts and I put some Mobil synth ATF in the one I took off. I'd think you'd use jack oil...hydraulic oil....ATF....or ????.

I did a writeup on the struts...there is a way to tell if you have the older struts that you can't put a cartridge in....before you start....at least for the wagon.

2wagons · Post by **2wagons** » Tue May 31, 2005 3:46 pm

That is interesting. On both my 83 and 86 both had the old hydraulic oil struts. I simply drained the struts, cleaned them out, left a little bit of fluid in them per the instructions and inserted the new shocks-no problem. I wonder why some have problems inserting the new cartridges? Perhaps different strut casings

chilibilly · Post by **chilibilly** » Tue May 31, 2005 10:31 pm

When I took the top off my struts, there was a valve at the top of the cylinder with two holes in it that pass air and fluid as I moved the piston up and down. The valve seemed to be attached near the top of the cylinder and possibly spot welded to the sides. I did not bother to try and take it apart as I did not want to damage the inner workings of the cylinder. The seal around the piston seemed to be working OK. As far as brake fluid damaging the paint. So far they are not leaking. At least not bad enough to show wet spots on the cylinder base. Evern if they did leak it would only go down the cylinger first then on to the lower steering arm then on to the ground. There are no wet spots yet on my garage floor near the wheels.

Also, checking the bounce test on the front end today, the shocks seem even firmer after driving it for a whole day. They used to bounce about 5 or six times, now only once!

If you work the piston up and down after you finish the refill you can feel it firming up.

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 5:35 am

Sounds like a description of the struts in my wagon.

I didn't take the time to check it, but I assumed that the fluid was oil-based...while brake fluid will mix with water...I think.

The viscosity might be OK...but not so sure about compatibility with the rubber parts...or how it will lube...espec when the struts get hot.

I only had one off and it only had a little loss of fluid...stilll bounced less than 2 times...some improvement with the ATF.

chilibilly · Post by **chilibilly** » Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:36 pm

I know the brake fluid is compatible with rubber. Think about all the rubber parts in a brake system. Brake fluid may not be the exact match, but it appears to be working. Day two, no leaks and ride is still firm.

coltarms · Post by **coltarms** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:31 am

I just did my struts last night. I, too, saw these little air holes on the top of the strut insert. Yes, this is an insert. A little yanking, and the entire insert will come out of the tube, allowing a new insert to be installed. I believe the trick is finding the correct size insert. I got mine at Napa.

Good Luck!