strut removal..

[marty31]

Hi guys,long time viewer here great site.

I have a question regarding strut replacement on a 2001 406 HDI estate.

The tops strut mount was knackered on the car so I bought a complete strut/spring/mount assembly from a breakers.

Have not started the job yet but from sizing it up it seems the track rod end and the lower ball joint need to be removed...?

Do I need to remove the cv joint.....any pointers advice much appreciated....I have access to air tools etc.

[teamster1975]

All you have to remove is the antirollbar drop link. You'll need to separate the bottom end of the strut first, undo the pinch bolts and give the hub a good belt and it should come free. You may need to hammer a cold chisel into the gap after you've removed the pinch bolts to free the hub off. It's hard to explain but you'll see what I mean. Put a jack under the hub to support it, undo everything and the strut will come out.

[moodybluetwo]

Just to add my own experience...follow teamsters instructions but when you come to split the strut from the hub you may have to lever the hub assembly down a little. It looks that it wont clear at first...but it will...I have done both sides this way recently.

[jasper5]

If you are doing the passenger's side watch for the driveshaft puilling out of the gearbox and losing oil.

[marty31]

Thanks guys......is proving very difficult to get the strut to budge.....have left is to soak in oil for a bit....

[lozz]

Thanks guys......is proving very difficult to get the strut to budge.....have left is to soak in oil for a bit....

Have you opend the gap where the bolt goes thru?

[marty31]

Have tried doing it with a chisel.ie opening the gap up....wont budge ,and dont want to smack it to hard for fear of Damage.

Ever sorry you started a Job????????

[lozz]

Have tried doing it with a chisel.ie opening the gap up....wont budge ,and dont want to smack it to hard for fear of Damage.

Ever sorry you started a Job????????

get a bar to pull down the wishbone and twang the top hub where the strut goes in it wont break anything giving it a twang there made of tough old stuff,

failing that warm it up alittle with a blow lamp and then twang it,

ive had all this with Mondeo struts there aBassterd to get out at times

[jasper5]

Try to find something that when knocked in will spread the gap where the bolt fits, soak it in WD40 and whack it hard like lozz said on the hub carrier.

When it comes out of the hub lever down on the bottom arm and pull out the strut.

I usually take the whole strut off the Mondoes, much less hassle.

Might be best to do that with this 406 if you cant get anywhere, but it just needs some heavy bashing on top of the hub carrier to free it out of its slot.

[lozz]

Where are you located mate,
if your local-ish to manchester iwill help you get the strut off