Front Suspension Replacements DIY for F87 and can be used as a guide for F8X and F22 series cars.
TIME
approximately 90 minutes
TORQUE SPECS
I torqued the following bolts as followed(I am not claiming that these are the factory specifications, this is simply what I did. Use at your own discretion.):
- Top center 18mm strut nut @ three, 2 second blasts with the impact wrench
- Knuckle 16mm pinch bolt @ 35 lb/ft
- Sway bar endlink 16mm nut @ 45 lb/ft (once the nut is on tight enough, the threaded T30 torx portion will no longer rotate.
- Head light level sensor @ hand tight
- Top strut mount bolt (5) @ 20 lb/ft or hand tight
- Strut bar E18 bolt @ 25lb/ft or hand tight
TOOLS
Here are a list of tools I used:
- 18mm 12 point deep impact socket (if you cannot find an impact socket, a regular one will probably be fine)
- Impact wrench
- Two 10mm wrench (If only one is available, you can substitute the other for an adjustable wrench, vice/pliers or 11mm)
- Ratchet
- 16mm socket
- 16mm wrench
- E18 socket
- T30 Torx
- Pry bar
- Flat head screwdriver
- Spring compressor
- Jack
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https://preview.ibb.co/kD4Rq6/IMG_7189.jpg[/img]
PROCEDURES
1. Remove the rubber dust covers from the strut tower mounts using a flat head screwdriver to remove the trim pins.
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https://preview.ibb.co/kqbd3R/IMG_7108.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/dJmNV6/IMG_7114.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/e8wd3R/IMG_7113.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/g8gpA6/IMG_7115.jpg[/img]
2. Using an impact wrench and the 18mm 12point deep socket, *loosen* the center top strut nut. You will want to leave this nut in place, so *do not* completely remove it from the strut.
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https://preview.ibb.co/kD32V6/IMG_7116.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/iEOfHm/IMG_7117.jpg[/img]
3. Safely loosen your wheels, jack the front of the vehicle, place on jack stands, and remove the wheels.
4.Using the 16mm wrench and the T30 torx, remove the nut from the sway bar endlink. Separate the endlink from the strut. Note you may use an impact wrench to remove the nut without having to use the T30 torx to hold the endlink bolt/rod in place.
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https://preview.ibb.co/i0i2V6/IMG_7124.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/newpA6/IMG_7129.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/chn7xm/IMG_7130.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/bAc1OR/IMG_7135.jpg[/img]
5. Using two 10mm wrenches, remove the headlight level sensor from the control arm. One wrench will hold the threaded portion in place while the other wrench will be used to loosen and remove the nut. Note if you only have one 10mm wrench, you may use an adjustable wrench, pliers, or etc. to hold the bolt portion in place. You will only need to do this for the driver side suspension.
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https://preview.ibb.co/g5Jmq6/IMG_7136.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/cJqcxm/IMG_7138.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/dmbHxm/IMG_7139.jpg[/img]
6. Using a jack, support the suspension using the ball joint area of the lower control arm.
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https://preview.ibb.co/caheA6/IMG_7143.jpg[/img]
7. Using the 16mm socket and 16mm wrench, loosen and remove the pinch bolt holding the strut to the front hub/knuckle. After, removing the bolt, you will also need to move the wiring bracket out of the way. Note You may use an impact wrench to easier remove the nut/bolt.
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https://preview.ibb.co/cy4y3R/IMG_7132.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/iUazA6/IMG_7133.jpg[/img]
8. Using the E18 socket, remove the strut bar bolt.
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https://preview.ibb.co/m1383R/IMG_7144.jpg[/img]
9. Using the 16mm socket, remove all 5 strut mount bolts.
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https://preview.ibb.co/dAS1OR/IMG_7145.jpg[/img]
10. Slowly lower the car jack supporting the suspension until the top of the strut clears the wheel well. Make sure nothing gets caught or over extended.
Pivot the strut out of the wheel well.
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https://preview.ibb.co/i98KA6/IMG_7146.jpg[/img]
11. Using the prybar, place it in the open slot where the strut sits in the knuckle and apply leverage to release the pinch load from the strut and pull the strut out of the knuckle. Use a jack, box, or wire to prop/support the knuckle so that the wires and brake lines are not over extended.
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https://preview.ibb.co/d8NUA6/IMG_7148.jpg[/img]
Congratulations! Your front strut is now removed! If you are swapping the entire suspension setup for complete coilovers, you may skip to step 15 below.
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https://preview.ibb.co/kSZLHm/IMG_7149.jpg[/img]
12. Using the spring compressor to safely compress the springs so that it removes the load from the upper strut mounts.
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https://preview.ibb.co/fTjbq6/IMG_7154.jpg[/img]
13. Using the 18mm 12 point socket again, completely remove the top strut nut from the upper strut mount. Carefully separate the top mounts ensuring that you remember the order in which all the parts were removed.
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https://preview.ibb.co/mLxwq6/IMG_7112.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/ep2J3R/IMG_7155.jpg[/img]
14. You may now replace whatever you need, whether its the springs, strut, or camber plates.
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https://preview.ibb.co/iKLMOR/IMG_7157.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/eTw6q6/IMG_7159.jpg[/img]
15. Assemble everything in reverse order. Note - When inserting the strut into the knuckle, there is an indexing pin that should align with the open slot where you previous inserted the prybar.
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https://preview.ibb.co/hsDVHm/IMG_7161.jpg[/img]
Your front suspension is now complete!
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https://preview.ibb.co/c1nPcm/IMG_7168.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/b4O83R/IMG_7166.jpg[/img]
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https://preview.ibb.co/kTM6q6/IMG_7194.jpg[/img]
Rear spring replacement DIY to follow.