I appear to have a Shock Absorber leak

[zodman]

I appear to have a left rear strut leak, need to know how easy a DIY for replacing the Shock Absorber. Anyone here ever have one leak?

TIA

[Loren]

Model and year car?

Front or Rear?

[zodman]

Is a 2001 Boxster S, as stated above, it is the left rear strut.

986 333 051 20

Edited December 9, 2009 by zodman

[Loren]

Is a 2001 Boxster S, as stated above, it is the left rear strut.

986 333 051 20

Sorry, you did not state above.

Just jack the car up and remove the strut and spring assembly. Carefully hold the assembly and release the tension on the spring. Replace the strut and slightly compress to reassemble and install.

Suspension pieces should always be replaced in (axle) pairs. So if you replace a spring or strut you should replace both.

[zodman]

Is a 2001 Boxster S, as stated above, it is the left rear strut.

986 333 051 20

Sorry, you did not state above.

Just jack the car up and remove the strut and spring assembly. Carefully hold the assembly and release the tension on the spring. Replace the strut and slightly compress to reassemble and install.

Suspension pieces should always be replaced in (axle) pairs. So if you replace a spring or strut you should replace both.

thanks Loren

[ericinboca]

Is a 2001 Boxster S, as stated above, it is the left rear strut.

986 333 051 20

Sorry, you did not state above.

Just jack the car up and remove the strut and spring assembly. Carefully hold the assembly and release the tension on the spring. Replace the strut and slightly compress to reassemble and install.

Suspension pieces should always be replaced in (axle) pairs. So if you replace a spring or strut you should replace both.

thanks Loren

How hard is it?

It is not too hard if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. You can get the strut and spring assembly out without removing the wheel carrier, which makes things easier.

You:

* have to loosen and remove the nuts on the rear strut mount at the top (you will have to move the black rubber like padding under the convertaible top cover to find the strut mount)

* remove the bolt that connects the thrust arm to the lower control arm

* disconnect the rear toe adjusting arm from the wheel carrier using a ball seperator tool

* pull off any wires that are routed and secured along the back of the strut/damper assembly

* I cannot remember if the stock rear strut has adjusting nuts to raise and lower (probably not) so use a spring compression tool to compress the spring to loosen it up some

* take the top bolt on the drop link out of the wheel carrier where it passes through the bracket on the damper/strut

* with some effort, and probably with a second pair of hands, you should be able to push the wheel carrier off the strut assembly and clear the bottom of it ( the lower control arm pivots up and down and does not have to be removed - this is good 'cause it can be hard to get off)

[zodman]

Is a 2001 Boxster S, as stated above, it is the left rear strut.

986 333 051 20

Sorry, you did not state above.

Just jack the car up and remove the strut and spring assembly. Carefully hold the assembly and release the tension on the spring. Replace the strut and slightly compress to reassemble and install.

Suspension pieces should always be replaced in (axle) pairs. So if you replace a spring or strut you should replace both.

thanks Loren

How hard is it?

It is not too hard if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. You can get the strut and spring assembly out without removing the wheel carrier, which makes things easier.

You:

* have to loosen and remove the nuts on the rear strut mount at the top (you will have to move the black rubber like padding under the convertaible top cover to find the strut mount)

* remove the bolt that connects the thrust arm to the lower control arm

* disconnect the rear toe adjusting arm from the wheel carrier using a ball seperator tool

* pull off any wires that are routed and secured along the back of the strut/damper assembly

* I cannot remember if the stock rear strut has adjusting nuts to raise and lower (probably not) so use a spring compression tool to compress the spring to loosen it up some

* take the top bolt on the drop link out of the wheel carrier where it passes through the bracket on the damper/strut

* with some effort, and probably with a second pair of hands, you should be able to push the wheel carrier off the strut assembly and clear the bottom of it ( the lower control arm pivots up and down and does not have to be removed - this is good 'cause it can be hard to get off)

thanks for your input, very much valued.

[Loren]

In most cases you will not need a spring compressor for the rear struts. They are hardly under any tension.

[zodman]

I have a torn rubber seal at the left rear lower toe arm

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=30787

has anyone had to replace one before?