I'm planning on changing the front springs for some Mk1 Xsara VTS ones. Got new drop links & pinch bolts is there anything else I should consider replacing for instance any part of the top mounts etc?

Also the haynes manual says you need to compress the spring but the spring compressors I have thread up into the body. So once the pinch bolt has been removed is there any easier way to remove the strut from the hub?
Cheers.

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If in doubt, flat out.

Turn the spring compressors upside down (so they thread down towards the wishbone) with the car unjacked and tighten them by hand. Then Jack the car up and the spring is ready to come out. It takes less than 5 minutes and requires no force at all.

Bit of a thread resurrection, but I am going to have a go at doing my front and rear shocks tomorrow. I will be following this advice! I would ideally like to avoid removing the whole hub if I can, although I do have the ball joints to change too.

Can anyone confirm the size of the nut on the strut? it is 21mm isn't it? I seem to remember when I had to change the spring with Ash a while back, sourcing a 21 swan neck spanner was a mission. I have a plan to use a 21mm Spark plug tool, allen key and a spanner.

Does anyone have any additional advice before I get stuck in? That is one thing the site is lacking, a FAQ for the front struts, I do have the Haynes, but peoples guides off here tend to be pretty good too.

Car should be sweet once I am finished, new struts, balljoints and droplinks (OEM shocks and Lemforder Ball joint and Drop links). It's just had a new sports CAT, Brembo discs all round and DS2500 pads all round too. Looking forward to getting it all finished!

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'00 Astor Grey GTi-6
Team: 'EVO Triangle'
This is a quantum car. I don't know where I am, but I'm going really fast.
PS3 ID: Skaankypuppy
Normally play GT6

I am going to give that a go in a second, been sorting crap out today, but have been stuck like a fat kid in a cat flap with the drop link. Managed to get it off now, but the most awkward bolt was just spinning and I had rounded off the hex part. Ended up ripping the rubber off it, snapping the balljoint off and using mole grips to clamp the ball, even then it was a mission. I have a sneaky feeling the strut will not want to come off easy either. The pinch bolt seems pretty well jammed in there. I have removed the nut, but it is not budging.

Just having an authentic garage rollup (complete with greasy rizzla) then will get back on it. Can see me only getting the one side done this evening, at least I have the day off tomorrow to complete that.

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'00 Astor Grey GTi-6
Team: 'EVO Triangle'
This is a quantum car. I don't know where I am, but I'm going really fast.
PS3 ID: Skaankypuppy
Normally play GT6