Advice needed following schoboy error!!!

Dubya · 22nd April 2017, 21:59

I replaced both my front coil springs today after one had snapped earlier in the week. It wasn't all plain sailing but got them done in the end. However, I then noticed that I fitted the cupped washer on top of the F/S strut upside down!

If I need to remove the strut and pull it apart again so be it. What I am wondering, though, is would the weight of the car be enough to sufficiently compress the spring to allow me to remove the nut and spin the washer over. I slackened the top nut so only a couple of threads were left, I could rotate the washer by hand but there was still some pressure on the nut. At this point I chickened out and nipped it back up, as I had visions of the spring popping open and then leaving me with an even harder time trying to remove the strut!

Can anyone confirm whether this is possible?

klarzy · 22nd April 2017, 23:01

Should be fine with the weight of the car on them....

Astraeus · 22nd April 2017, 23:47

I would be very careful doing anything with the front springs without a spring compressor. Just not worth the risk.

Just my opinion of course

Chris

75driver · 23rd April 2017, 00:21

Why not leave well enough alone? It'll do no harm installed the way it is, (other than be an annoyance in the back of your mind&#128580

.
My tourer has one on upside down since I got it.
I'd rather leave it till I next need to remove the springs.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mike24 · 23rd April 2017, 09:08

I put both of my cup-washers on upside down after changing the strut bearings. It was pointed out to me at the Ruislip meet. I went home, undid the nuts and turned them over without incident. Unless I'm missing something obvious, the weight of the car will be more than sufficient to hold the springs in compression while the task is undertaken. If you were to jack the car up with the top nuts undone the threaded part of the shock absorber would probably disappear through the strut mounting, so don't do that! I am open to correction if I have been mistaken or if anyone has experienced anything different.

Dubya · 23rd April 2017, 10:22

I can confirm it is possible to remove the top nut. I drove that wheel onto a block to increase the compression of the spring. By the time I slackened the top nut halfway off the strut the washer was released. I then removed the nut, refitted the washer in the correct orientation and resecured the nut.

Happy days!

trikey · 23rd April 2017, 10:26

The safest way is to keep the Allen key in there while you remove the nut.

roverbarmy · 23rd April 2017, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by trikey

The safest way is to keep the Allen key in there while you remove the nut.

The safest way is to let someone else do it!

Mogodon · 23rd April 2017, 10:48

When my coil Spring was replaced last week I noticed the cup washer was on upside down and along with the OP wondered if the nut was under pressure or not and could just be undone and the washer flipped.

I dithered and chickened out and took it back to the garage where he did just spin the nut off and turn it over on the spot, job done in about a minute.

From threads on here ( "whispers" and others) this seems to be a common error made.

22nd April 2017, 23:01	#2
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	Should be fine with the weight of the car on them.... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

22nd April 2017, 23:47	#3
Astraeus Regional Secretary North Scotland MG ZS Exclusive 1.0T Auto 2022 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Tayport Posts: 5,754 Thanks: 1,676 Thanked 1,855 Times in 1,058 Posts	Care I would be very careful doing anything with the front springs without a spring compressor. Just not worth the risk. Just my opinion of course Chris

23rd April 2017, 00:21	#4
75driver Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon, manual. Rover 75 Tourer, Auto. Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Newry Posts: 1,781 Thanks: 574 Thanked 443 Times in 371 Posts	Why not leave well enough alone? It'll do no harm installed the way it is, (other than be an annoyance in the back of your mind&#128580. My tourer has one on upside down since I got it. I'd rather leave it till I next need to remove the springs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ 2006 75 Contemporary SE diesel manual (#1) 2003 75T Connoisseur SE diesel auto (For Comfort) 2005 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (Marmite duotone ) 2006 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (The last one?) 2009 E220 (For a change) 2018 L200 (For Big & Heavy Things) 1976 W114 250 Manual (For Sundays)

23rd April 2017, 10:22	#6
Dubya Loves to post 2005 MG ZT-T+ V6 190 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Hereford Posts: 474 Thanks: 126 Thanked 139 Times in 103 Posts	I can confirm it is possible to remove the top nut. I drove that wheel onto a block to increase the compression of the spring. By the time I slackened the top nut halfway off the strut the washer was released. I then removed the nut, refitted the washer in the correct orientation and resecured the nut. Happy days! __________________ 7,925th ZT-T to run off the production line, out of 8,249 The 1,709th ZT-T 190 + to be made out of 1,756 The 103rd ZT-T in Mica Blue (Ignition) (code: JGY) to be made out of 160 Mica Blue (Ignition) ZT-Ts

23rd April 2017, 10:26	#7
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,763 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	The safest way is to keep the Allen key in there while you remove the nut. __________________ Lest we forget..

22nd April 2017, 21:59	#1
Dubya Loves to post 2005 MG ZT-T+ V6 190 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Hereford Posts: 474 Thanks: 126 Thanked 139 Times in 103 Posts	Advice needed following schoboy error!!! I replaced both my front coil springs today after one had snapped earlier in the week. It wasn't all plain sailing but got them done in the end. However, I then noticed that I fitted the cupped washer on top of the F/S strut upside down! If I need to remove the strut and pull it apart again so be it. What I am wondering, though, is would the weight of the car be enough to sufficiently compress the spring to allow me to remove the nut and spin the washer over. I slackened the top nut so only a couple of threads were left, I could rotate the washer by hand but there was still some pressure on the nut. At this point I chickened out and nipped it back up, as I had visions of the spring popping open and then leaving me with an even harder time trying to remove the strut! Can anyone confirm whether this is possible? __________________ 7,925th ZT-T to run off the production line, out of 8,249 The 1,709th ZT-T 190 + to be made out of 1,756 The 103rd ZT-T in Mica Blue (Ignition) (code: JGY) to be made out of 160 Mica Blue (Ignition) ZT-Ts

23rd April 2017, 09:08	#5
Mike24 Loves to post Rover 75 CDTI Auto Saloon Connoisseur SE Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Coventry Posts: 358 Thanks: 166 Thanked 67 Times in 56 Posts	I put both of my cup-washers on upside down after changing the strut bearings. It was pointed out to me at the Ruislip meet. I went home, undid the nuts and turned them over without incident. Unless I'm missing something obvious, the weight of the car will be more than sufficient to hold the springs in compression while the task is undertaken. If you were to jack the car up with the top nuts undone the threaded part of the shock absorber would probably disappear through the strut mounting, so don't do that! I am open to correction if I have been mistaken or if anyone has experienced anything different.

23rd April 2017, 10:48	#9
Mogodon Gets stuck in MG ZT 135+ Diesel Auto Mk2. Nisan Micra 1.4 SVE Auto. Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. Posts: 832 Thanks: 196 Thanked 198 Times in 84 Posts	When my coil Spring was replaced last week I noticed the cup washer was on upside down and along with the OP wondered if the nut was under pressure or not and could just be undone and the washer flipped. I dithered and chickened out and took it back to the garage where he did just spin the nut off and turn it over on the spot, job done in about a minute. From threads on here ( "whispers" and others) this seems to be a common error made. __________________ Plenum spyhole mod. Powerflow backbox. 11 spoke alloys repainted Black Sparkle. Black Expansion tank. Drivers side cup holder. PPD carpeted heater box sides. Illuminated sun visors, PPD Door reflectors. PPD Seatbelt lower mount bolt covers. PPD Drivers grab handle. Cubby rechargeable torch and power socket. FBH retro-fitted. FBH engine pre-heater mod done. Electric rear Sunblind. Tow bar. Flip key. MGR towing mirrors and Saloon roof bars. Hand Built in Birmingham

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