strut bushing/bearing question
 

I will be doing the strut bearing/bushing job pretty soon.

I read the couple writeups on the forum, but do have a simple question.

Do I need a spring compressor with the stock springs and stock struts to get them in/out?

Paul

You can do it without compressors...>>
 

Though I'd use a few ratchet straps to keep the spring compressed a bit. Put them on while the suspension is compressed, then undo the top nuts and jack up...<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/1319039.phtml">I did both sides in about an hour....Write-up here..</a></li></ul>

Although compressors are &lt;$40 and make it easier and safer.

So the springs should be compressed. would these work
 

<center><img src="http://www.autozone.com/images/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/27036L.jpg"></center><p>from autozone - loan a tool

http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/strut_spring_tool.htm<ul><li><a href="http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/strut_spring_tool.htm">http://www.autozone.com/in_our_stores/loan_a_tool/steering_suspension/strut_spring_tool.htm</a</li></ul>

Those will work fine..

great...i will give it a shot....any other tips or tricks. It looks fairly straight forward...but..
 

always like to hear about first hand experiences.

I am assuming the problem is the strut bushing/bearing.. I have a rattle from the right side front of the car that is the most annoying sound...most noticable going slow over bumps etc

I think I will replace the swaybar bushings at some point proactively, but figure tackle the strut bush/bearing first

I ordered the bushings, bearings, nuts, and grease. Anything else I may need? Tips or tricks?

A Rattle may be the drop links.......>
 

That connect the strut to the sway bar end. Seeing morre of those fail lately. Check them when you disconnect. The Ball joints wear and start to rattle. Strut bearings/bushes rarely do, but if they're over 60K old, good to replace them ayway...They're cheap enough..

will check those when i get it apart... The noise seems to be coming from the..
 

top right.. I can almost see the noise..

The car has 85k on it now. I figure I will be doing a lot of rubber replacing in the near future.

You may need to pick up some pipe sections from Home Depot or the like...
 

The spring compressor may bottom out on you before you reach the compression you want, or you may find the bolt pushing against the top of the wheel well. When I did my struts I found some advise here to buy some small sections of pipe and washers. I think it was 3/4-inch pipe about 4 or 5 inches long. Insert the pipe and washers between the hex head of the compressor bolt and the lower spring clip. This will allow the compressor to compressor with less turns of the bolt and you should not bottom out.

update - got it installed without compressors. The compressors would have helped, but it was not impossible to to without. 45 minutes to do both sides.