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Front strut replacement/conversion - Printable Version

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Front strut replacement/conversion - Silver BLT - 03-14-2005

Has anyone done the Koni strut tube conversion that Paragon sells?Paragon strut conversion

Are the "sport" struts the stiff or mild variety?

I am concidering doing this myself with the H&R shortened coils at the same time. I prefer to do the work myself: (read cheap) and have noticed one of my struts has moisture at the top. How difficult (and dangerous) is this upgrade to perform? 1-10 scale, Alternator replacement = 3. I have access to spring compressors.

Thanks,

SilverBLT

Front strut replacement/conversion - Anchorman - 03-14-2005

I've done the Koni yellows with the Paragon conversion. I had Paragon do the conversion as I wasn't in the position of risking any extra downtime. I also had them fit the struts with the adjustable ride height kit. They did a great job, and the installation was easy. Sorry, I can't advise on the difficulty of doing the conversion yourself. But, IIRC, there was a thread more than a year ago where someone cut too much of the strut and was having a hard time finding struts to try again. So, my sense is - if you do it right, it's easy. Make a mistake, and there's a stiff price to pay.

Front strut replacement/conversion - Bart - 03-14-2005

Not that difficult if you have the tools and time. Paragon is more than willing to help you through the conversion if you have any questions. If I remember correctly you need a large drill bit to drill the hole in the bottom of the strut tube. At least it was not a size that I had on hand and had to purchase.



I wish I would have purchased the H&R springs at the time of conversion because now I am waiting on the springs and will have to tear it apart again. Last time I talked to paragon the springs are on back order. I expect to get them in the next couple of weeks.



Remember......measure twice, cut once.



Good Luck!!

Front strut replacement/conversion - flash - 03-14-2005

bummer - a second alignment

Front strut replacement/conversion - Bart - 03-14-2005

[quote name='flash' date='Mar 14 2005, 06:28 PM']bummer - a second alignment

[right][post="1870"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Exactly!!

Front strut replacement/conversion - Greimann - 03-14-2005

I have done 3 or 4 Koni conversions now and the fabrication is pretty straight forward if you know your way around a hacksaw and a square. Read Paragons instructions carefully and you should be OK.



Do not use the heiroglyphic instructions that Koni sends with the struts, you will cut too short!



The H&R plus the Konis significantly stiffen the front end. You really feel the Botts dots in the road. The handling is great. I am glad I did it.

Front strut replacement/conversion - earossi - 03-15-2005

Like you, I do my own work for two reasons: I like to work with my hands......and I am also cheap!



I have not done the strut conversion described in the Paragon article, but I have replaced shock inserts on many types of cars including 911's and 944's. The removal of the strut from the car is straight forward and removing the springs, if you have a compressor, is also very easy. So, I would suspect that going the extra mile to cut the struts apart would not be that difficult. I will certainly attempt it when I get around to putting in new shocks.



Good luck!



Ernie Rossi

Front strut replacement/conversion - flash - 03-15-2005

the only reason i opted to let paragon do my conversion (besides the time savings) was the paint - i suck at spray cans, and the paint never seems to hold up as well - ron just poked his in without painting them - i wanted fresh new paint, but then i get in and clean my suspension every other week - having participated in a couple of conversions now, it is an easy enough job if your handy and have the tools and space and patience



remember that you will need an alignment afterward

Front strut replacement/conversion - apex - 03-16-2005

Let me just add that I have also done the conversion successfully. Don't forget that NAPA stores and others will let you check out strut compressors. It took me a couple of days for the whole job, including painting the struts. Don't forget to replace the rubber bits while you're in there (dust shield and bumpers). I replaced my control arms at the same time.



Oh - there's a place in the Paragon instructions where I think they mention getting a long bolt to draw the shock into the strut body - my advice is to definitely do that - it makes the job so much easier.

Front strut replacement/conversion - Bart - 03-17-2005

Quote:Oh - there's a place in the Paragon instructions where I think they mention getting a long bolt to draw the shock into the strut body - my advice is to definitely do that - it makes the job so much easier.

[right][post="1934"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right]



I missed that part in the instructions and was trying to figure out the best way to get the strut insert sucked down in the strut tube....so I called paragon. After talking with them I simply slammed, for a lack of a better term, the insert into the tube and bolted it down.



Good Luck!

Front strut replacement/conversion - Greimann - 03-18-2005

[quote name='Bart' date='Mar 17 2005, 06:50 PM'].... I simplyslammed, for a lack of a better term, the insert into the tube and bolted it down.

[right][post="2008"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

Thats the trick! Get the insert into the tube and slam the assembly down on the workbench. It will start the locator nibs and you can draw the rest down with the bolt. It helps to grease the cartridge bits too so they slide easily.

Front strut replacement/conversion - apex - 03-18-2005

[quote name='Bart' date='Mar 17 2005, 09:50 PM']I missed that part in the instructions and was trying to figure out the best way to get the strut insert sucked down in the strut tube....so I called paragon.  After talking with them I simply slammed, for a lack of a better term, the insert into the tube and bolted it down.



Good Luck!

[right][post="2008"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]

[quote name='Greimann' date='Mar 17 2005, 11:18 PM']slam the assembly down

[right][post="2011"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Jeez guys... take it easy! I didn't want to damage either my precious workbench nor my precious new yellow strut. The "slam" technique reminds me of tee shirts printed by my favorite contractor:



"If it don't fit... force it"



Other titles:



"Good enough for who it's for"

"It's what I am... it's what I do"

"Can't see it from my place"

"Measure once, cut twice"

"It's the contingency, stupid!"

"It took a little longer than I thought"

"I'd rather be lucky than good"



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Front strut replacement/conversion - apex - 03-18-2005

uh... on re-reading my post I'm not sure it's clear that I'm NOT criticising anyone's technique other than self-deprecatingly admitting to being over-cautious sometimes. er... the tee-shirts *are* quite funny! have a great weekend everyone.