Front strut popping

[TurboVR4]

The top of my front struts make a pop noise when turning the wheel. Looking at CAPS I think I need to replace the strut assembly, the spring seat assembly, and the upper spring pad.

The service guide shows that you need two special tools, a "spring upper seat holder" and "coil compression tool". Can anyone tell me if it can be done without these tools? And is this a job I can tackle on my own - easy or hard?

[bert0mac]

you need a spring compressor to do it. that and the basic wrenches and whatnot.

its time consuming. but depending on how nice of a compressor you have. not too hard. i had a crappy one and i changed out all 4 springs in one day. the only difference, instead of putting a new spring on an old shock, you would put a new shock on an old spring.

[nawz8r]

You don't need the spring upper seat tool, the upper seat can be held carefully with a vice, or a large channel lock pliers can also be used. Stealth316.com has an intrax spring install guide which has pics dismantling a strut assembly.

The popping noise comes from a stuck bearing in the strut insulator assembly. The strut pivots with the bearing when you turn. Pay attention to the alignment marks on the eccentric bolt before you remove the strut - marks need to line up the same when installed.

[blindmist]

could this be an all of the sudden thing or does it pop right off the bat when you, say, change the strut.

I have a popping sound coming from my front pass side and i have replaced the struts with kyb gr2's about a year ago and i did it by hand by myself. it didnt start popping until about 4 months ago

[TurboVR4]

Anyone know if I'll have to remove the entire strut from the car just to replace the strut insulator? Is there a way to compress the spring under the wheel well to remove/replace the strut insulator, seat, & pad?

[TurboVR4]

Anyone???

I guess what I'm asking is if I can use the spring compression tool, while the strut is still attached, to allow removal of the self locking nut on the strut insulator.

Can I replace the insulator without having to completely remove the strut? I don't think I can remove the self locking nut if there is still pressure from the spring as it will fly off, right?. . .

And after the old insulator is removed will the piston rod remain extended so to allow the self locking nut to fit over the new insulator?

[nawz8r]

You will have a much easier job of insulator replacement if you remove the strut. You need to hold the upper seat with a vice, channel lock, upper seat tool, whatever you choose, because the strut shaft will turn when you turn the self locking nut,. when holding the upper seat, the strut shaft is also held.

[TurboVR4]

Mitsubishi lists a special tool to hold the spring-upper-seat (part #MB1176). If I had this tool would I be able to remove the self locking nut?

Any idea where I can find the tool, other than the Mitsu dealer?

[atxsux]

When i changed my springs to eibach, I borrowed a spring compressor from autozone for free. you might want to try that.