Tempered Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hello all, i'm in the process of switching all of my suspension from a late model 260 to an early model. After learning through trial and error i'm at the point where I need to remove the strut tubes and swap them. I have the original factory repair manual and i've searched on here but I simply cannot find it. I had called MSA and asked if the suspension would work and they said yes, just swap strut tubes. So I am kind of at a loss. I hope it does not involve cutting. Anyways any direction anyone can provide would be a great help. Thanks a bunch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 What are you looking for help on? The process to remove the struts is fairly straight forward..just unbolt everything that looks like it's connected. (search for "spindle pin/bolt" too) but if you need a step by step try this: http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/suspension.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempered Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 I am actually looking how to remove the part that has the spring perch attached to. The spring ends on an early model are about 90 degrees off of the late model. So to use my late model SS drop springs I need to have the complete strut housing of an early model. However I was told I could remove the whole tube (swap them). There is not bolt for the tube so it was pressed in, welded in, screwed in. I am just seeing if anyone has done this kind of removal and if so what is the best. I know that an easy way to do this is to just swap out the A arms, Just not lookin forward to rebuilding the brakes and cleaning up the old arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 The lengths are different on the strut tubes, the front hubs and rotors are different, rear slave cylinders are different, probably some other stuff too. Bottom line, don't do it unless you think that going through all the hassle to get the right parts to make it work and not look like it is dragging its ass down the street is better than just cleaning the arms and rebuilding the brakes (should only need to bleed the brakes though). I like the method of taking the 3 nuts off the strut top, disconnecting the sway bar(s) and brake lines and swinging the strut down and out of the fender. You can do it this way very easily and not have to mess with much other than bleeding the brakes. No spindle pin nightmare, no bushings, etc. I think that is the easiest way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempered Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 The lengths are different on the strut tubes, the front hubs and rotors are different, rear slave cylinders are different, probably some other stuff too. Bottom line, don't do it unless you think that going through all the hassle to get the right parts to make it work and not look like it is dragging its ass down the street is better than just cleaning the arms and rebuilding the brakes (should only need to bleed the brakes though). I like the method of taking the 3 nuts off the strut top, disconnecting the sway bar(s) and brake lines and swinging the strut down and out of the fender. You can do it this way very easily and not have to mess with much other than bleeding the brakes. No spindle pin nightmare, no bushings, etc. I think that is the easiest way to go. Yeah thats the reason I am looking to pull the strut tubes. I basically rebuilt the late model suspension completely, new everything, SS spring, Tokico's, r200, drub brakes, urethane bushings. I pulled that whole unit out and put it under the early 260 and found out the strut tops were different, then found out that the strut tops were 90 degrees off when swapped, because the SS springs were for the late model location, making my strut top bolts off place. I put the original early springs in the upgraded late model suspension with the early model strut tops. They fit! HOWEVER, the car sits like 4" too high, the camber is nasty looking. So I am just assuming that is completely wrong and wont be good. MSA said just by pulling the tubes out of the a-arms and swapping them would fix it. So thats what i'm looking for. I've pulled out the suspension, struts and springs about three different times trying to fit it. So if there is no good way to do it, thats the answer i'm looking for. Thanks for the replies and I appreciate the information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.