I am going to install some 06 Sti springs into my '02 wagon. I have the springs, rear tophats from 04+, made some 1/4" spacers for rear to prevent extra drop in rear (NASIOC recommendation). I also plan to rent / tool loan spring compressor from Advanced. I have a couple of questions: 1. Do I need to mark the bolt orientation into the strut mount to knuckle / hub to maintain alignment? I plan on getting in done in the near future, but wanted to try to keep it close. 2. Removing the nut at the top of the strut - I plan to use an impact tool. Is this the best way? What size socket is it? Will I need a deep socket for it? How do I retorque that nut (or is the torque critical?)? 3. Is the spring compressor pretty straighforward to use? I think I put it on the spring when the tophat is on and open it once the tophat is removed. Any other advice. Is this as easy and straightforward as it seems? Since I don't have $ for struts now, I will hope they "wear out" soon so I can upgrade those then (Koni inserts?, KYB GR2?). Since I will have the experience with this, that should be an easy job.
1. You can if you want, but you won't be able to get it back exactly as before anyways. Plan on an alignment a couple weeks or so after the install to allow for settling. 2. Impact tool is fine...put it back on the same way. 3. Yes Pay attention to the way the tophats go together. It's been a while since I installed my springs, but there's something with the way the tophats and bushing go together that's important. And dont bother with the GR2, their basically a stock replacement type of strut. If you want inserts go with Koni.
Let me know when you're doing the install and I'll come by and help out. You're up in my neck of the woods, so it won't be any issue to swing by, it'll only take an hour or so. If you mark the bolt orientation, that'll get you close to the alignment you originally had, but I would recommend getting an alignment a week or so after the install. If you can't afford it, then marking the orientation should get you by. The nut on the top of the strut is best removed using a pass-thru ratchet. I personally would not use an impact on it, especially on the retightening process. The spring compressor is pretty straight forward, put one on both sides of the spring and start compressing. Use an impact for this, it'll be a 19mm (and use a deep-well socket).
I found that the pass through socket is best too, also while the strut is still on the car loosen that nut. That hex head can me a butt hole sometimes.
I normally loosen the top nut with the car on the ground, that way you can get more leverage and the shaft wont spin around on you. With the struts off the car I normally put a socket in some channel-locks and drop an allen wrench through the socket to hold the shaft; the nut should be loose enough to remove with the fabbed up pass through wrench.
What size is the nut on top of the strut. I would guess 12 mm or 14 mm. I am willing to buy a pass through socket. Is this something I can find at Advanced / autozone? pEd - I might take you up on your offer - Sat PM ok with you? I am at Mcginnis ferry and Jones bridge / brookwood road area.
You may have to go to sears or some place like that to get the pass through socket. I can't recall ever seeing one at AZ or AAP, NAPA may have one though.
The strut top nut is 17mm. The tophat nuts are 12/14mm (don't remember which -- 12 I believe). They do sell pass-thru ratchets at Autozone and Advance. They also sell them at HomeDepot and Lowes.
Thankd pEd. We knocked this out in 2 hours. Car felt very good in my drive this afternoon. For those who are interested in my budget wagon suspension setup: 20mm FHI rear sway 06sti springs ('04 tophats, scooby921 spacers) Future: 22 or 22 mm FSB Metal endlinks of some sort (hopefully some stock sedand front endlings for the cheap) Koni inserts Thanks again - pEd is the man!