Guide: Strut and brake conversion for TA from RA
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Re: Strut and brake conversion for TA from RA
Ok Now the method, for experienced and qualified mechanics excuse any missed techniques. (I learnt in a backyard)
Preparation:
1,Get all tools ready and place out where they can be easily reached.
2, Place each strut on its repective side of the immediate work area
3, Ring a group of mates and inform them you will be doing manly things at your house in fifteen minutes.
4, Tell the misses to prepare the celebrational beverage
5, Get jack and stands ready and make SURE they are in the immediate work area
The job:
1, Park the car in a nice easy spot to work and apply handbrake and also chock the wheels.
2, Crack wheel nuts on both front wheels, also Crack the strut nut at the top using 7/8 socket and a bit of ingeniality.
3, Jack up the front of the car and place on stands. Do both sides now.
4, Remove tyre and slide under chassis rail just incase your stand fails (safety first guys)
(You may choose to repeat step 4 on other side now or later)
5, Observe your handy work, get a few people around to see your progress remember to rub dirt and grease on your hands so it looks like you've done alot more. This will impress them
6, Next After the crowd leaves, I like to use the line: If you don't leave me to it I will force you to hold my tools.
7, Clamp the brake lines with your brake clamps (on the rubber bit) and undo the brake line from the calliper.
8, Undo the two bolts at the bottom of the strut with a 17mm spanner or socket. If your a real man undo 17mm bolts with your nails and determination.
9, Realise you forgot to open your bonnet. STand for a few minutes wondering how you previously cracked the strut nut. Procceed to open bonnet now.
10, Unbolt the three 14mm nuts on top of your strut and place aside, also crack Strut top nut. Lastly mark one of the bolts and holes so you may realign on instalation.
11, Using your trusty Lever attempt to remove strut bottom off of the thingy it's sitting on that moves up and down.
12, If after 15 minutes you can't do it place level between sway bar and chassis and get another friend to apply pressure to it as you pull the strut towards you. This will usually end in an injury if you don't expect the wieght of the strut. remember it will slide out as the top bolts are undone.
13, Regather crowd and explain that it didn't want to cooporate, but after it was introduced to justice and reason (remember to make two fists and wave them in the air) it submitted. Disperse crowd.
14, Compare the TA strut that is out with the RA strut on the ground, notice the difference, then proceed to point and laugh at the pitifull excuse of brakes the TA brakes were.
15, Using the spring compressors compress springs on TA strut, so removing the strut top won't cause broken wrists as it flys off due to a coiled spring behind it.
16, Unbolt Strut top nut with the 7/8ths socket and remove springs. Place TA Strut top on car so you won't loose it
17, Repeat process for RA strut and make sure you DO NOT mix up the strut tops (The TA top should be smaller).
18, Remove the suspension with the shifter and replace with new parts remember to get someone to take photo's at the shiny NEW parts that will never be seen again. Fit the Lowered King Springs and place TA strut top on strut, tighten nut. You should not have to compress the lowered springs. Remember to put the rubber dust gaurd back on strut before you assemble or you will have to pull it apart again to put it on while your mates laugh at your stupidity. (even the unmechanical ones will laugh)
19, Remove brake calipers and replace the pads while the strut is out. Remeber to put it back together
20, Get mate to apply pressure again on trusty lever. Laugh at him tell him to stop an now help you align the strut in holes.
21, When strut has one bolt through the hole get mate to tighten a nut and washer on it. Real men can do this step without the help, real men also know when mates come to "help" with mechanics they mean sit and watch you, while they drink to your success.
22, Tighten 14mm nut with socket and tighten the other two nuts as tightning the first should bring the other two through the holes.
23, Manouver strut back into it's place using both justice and reason. Make sure they sit properly on alignment sleeves. Tighten both 17mm bolts in bottom of strut.
24, Attach brake line to new brakes. Don't resist the feeling to spin your new bigger rotor and watch your reflection glimmer in what you know was a well worth upgrade.
25, Repeat complete process on opposite side. Remember to take photo's if you want a record of the work you do on your car or even better get a mate to do it.
26, Bleed the brakes and leave the tyres off for now. Walk into the house and find your misses. Disregard her cries of horror as you grab her by the hand, remembering the woman loves the grime and dirt and thinks its sexy, her screams of horror are usually relating to a roleplaying scene. Take this opportunity to ravish her as only real men can.
Do not forget to leave grease marks down the hall, transfer ample amounts of dirt and grease to her and bring her out to admire your work. (Edited for barned01 there you go buddy)
27, Declare a public holiday to the neighbours in rmemeberence of this day and order the celebration beverage to be served in the plenty.
28, check all the bolts and make sure everything is tight and secure
29, Remember to replace the tyres and do up all the bolts tight!
30, Dejack car and clean up, remember to pay specific attention to cleaning your tools and putting them away in the correct place.
In celebration of your manly achievments have a test drive, apon your return party into the late of night telling stories of your accomplishments and extrvagent sturrgles of the past day with anyone and everyone you can force to listen.
Hope this helps anyone considering this installation
great write up
) and enjoy a tinnie or two, only while watching the racing if the job was scheduled for a sunday. . . Which of course it will be.
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