Q-Ball Posted October 17, 2006 Report Posted October 17, 2006 I just got all my KYB GR-2's today as well as new mounts for them. Im just wondering about replacing the boots. Im replacing the rears for sure. But in the front I dont even see them having boots on them. Do they need boots on the front? And did they ever come with them? UPDATE! Ok, I got all my mounts. I was talking to a guy at GM and he said I should get mount bearings. For what they are worth should I just get them? My car does need a alignment too. Just since doing all the suspension, is this one of those things I should do too? Quote
Dark Ride Posted October 17, 2006 Report Posted October 17, 2006 I'm pretty sure they came with boots on the front, and if they didn't they should've. Quote
Q-Ball Posted October 17, 2006 Author Report Posted October 17, 2006 Well, I better get all 4 than. Thanks! Quote
DiscoStudd Posted October 18, 2006 Report Posted October 18, 2006 If you're leaving the knuckles in place and instead removing the cartridges through the tops of the strut towers, then you won't be able to access the boots. You will, however, still need to change your mounts... Quote
CSI_MuNkY Posted October 18, 2006 Report Posted October 18, 2006 If you're leaving the knuckles in place and instead removing the cartridges through the tops of the strut towers, then you won't be able to access the boots. You will, however, still need to change your mounts... Ummmm why would he not be able to access the boots? both the front and rear struts can have the boots put on them, the fronts you put the boot on, slide the cartidge into place with the boot on it... Jamie Quote
DiscoStudd Posted October 18, 2006 Report Posted October 18, 2006 If you're leaving the knuckles in place and instead removing the cartridges through the tops of the strut towers, then you won't be able to access the boots. You will, however, still need to change your mounts... Ummmm why would he not be able to access the boots? both the front and rear struts can have the boots put on them, the fronts you put the boot on, slide the cartidge into place with the boot on it... Jamie Do you have any pics of said procedure? I know I sure the hell couldn't get my car's front boots out when I changed the cartridges through the tops of the strut towers. Even if it were remotely possible, the alignment tool would still be in the way... Quote
CSI_MuNkY Posted October 18, 2006 Report Posted October 18, 2006 On his struts, they look like this only they are KYB... why could he not just but the boot on the strut before lowering it down into position? I'm not trying to sound like a know it all here, I've never done it before... just makes sense to me, put the boot on the strut and lower the strut into place... I don't see how putting a peice of rubber over your strut is going to impeed on the install... Like so.... Jamie Quote
DiscoStudd Posted October 19, 2006 Report Posted October 19, 2006 why could he not just but the boot on the strut before lowering it down into position? Man, I'm starting to sound like a broken record here: the alignment tool would still be in the way... So seeing as: I'm not trying to sound like a know it all here, I've never done it before... Lemme school you a bit then. In order to properly remove the strut cartridges, you need to rent (or buy if you're so inclined) a special "W-Body Front Strut" removal kit. In the kit are all the proper specialty tools to: A) loosen the nuts from the shaft, align the knuckle to the strut tower to keep it in position when the cartridge is removed, and C) a special socket to loosen the collet on the strut cartridge. When you insert part "B," it goes through the inside the boot into the knuckle. In fact the boot is mounted around a flange on the outside of the knuckle, so again there's no way in hell you're getting the boot out through the top unless you remove the complete knuckle assembly from the car. In your pic, you're assuming the boot fits snug around the shaft, which is not true. The rear boots are that narrow, but not the front boots. Follow me? Quote
CSI_MuNkY Posted October 20, 2006 Report Posted October 20, 2006 OK... so question... if you can't get the new boots on by this meathod... how do you get the old boots off to allow for the tool to fit?? Jamie Quote
Crazy K Posted October 20, 2006 Report Posted October 20, 2006 you don;t have to! you rech through the access hole under the conver plate, and are instantly at the cetner of what the boot surrounds. look through yout front springs at the top of the strut, thats the boot! about 8 inches in diamter. Quote
CSI_MuNkY Posted October 20, 2006 Report Posted October 20, 2006 ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I GET IT!!!! lol... so the new cartridge goes down through the existing boot.... Jamie Quote
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.