They should have put a recess on the shock shafting to make this procedure a hundred times easier

 

Here's a update

Was easier than I thought. Pulled out my trusty dremel. Put in a metal cutting disk (came with it) and went at it. This is an $8 set of deep metric socket from HF made in Taiwan. Takes about 10 minutes to do the 21mm one and I made the hole big enough for the wire to go through. Half way through the process on the 19mm. I have to pause every 1/4 cut because the heat builds up too much. I'm hold the socket with a vice grip while I'm doing that. 1/10 in difficulty...

I'll be able to use an impact wrench with these bad boys =)

 

I did the same when I did the Eiback install.

You should probably make the opening a bit bigger for the wire to run freely as you screw and unscrew that nut as you absolutely do not want to break the insulation on the PSM wires.

It doesn't require a lot of torque so you don't really have to worry too much about the strength of the metal on the socket.

Just my experience, let us know how it goes...

T.

 

I did this project a few months ago (with H&R springs). I didn't use any special tools but I did take a piece of angle iron that was 2' long and drill 2 holes that aligned with 2 of the bolts in the top plate of the strut. This allowed me to lay the strut on the floor and kept it from turning while I loosened the bolt. I think the cut out socket would have been pretty handy.

My car also has the Bose upgrade which was a fair amount of work to remove to get to the rear struts. FWIW, I found this to be a very rewarding project. It emphasized to me how well this car is built!!

 

Mine are finally done. My friend rides bicycles and when I showed him the Porsche counterhold tool, he showed me this bicycle tool that work great. The tool is about $20 at a bicycle shop:

http://www.parktool.com/product/adju...-spanner-spa-6

We unscrewed the pins and put small bolts to reach deeper into the washer's slots and bend the tips of the tool to better sit inside the concave washer slots.
It's a lot of work and I would say it takes about 7 hours to do the springs swap with the correct tools and a strong friend.
Good luck

 

Without the specialty tools or the strong friend I spent about 12 hours on the project. Loved every minute of it!!

 

Do you have a picture of how that worked?

Mark

 

http://www.bmpdesign.com/product-exe...earch_model/26

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

Sorry, just realized you already hacked the socket...which is what I would have done vs. waiting on something be shipped!

 

I was also going to suggest the Metalnerd tool above. Great buy there on ebay! I got mine from German Auto Parts. There's even a hole to attach a torque wrench so you can properly torque the top nut again.

 

It works for the front struts but then your still stuck needing a 19MM for the rear...

Mark

 

they also make a 19 mm but that's more $$$. My hacked set is going to up costing less than 10 bucks. When I'm done with it, I'll just ship them for free to whoever might want to replace their springs also.

 

I like the idea... I'll probably hack 2 sockets like you did and keep them for safe keepings. Since I usually only work on VW or Audi's the same sizes tend to be used.

Mark

 

Great thread. I'm planning on installing my H&R next weekend.

 

On the subject.....I have a set of Eibach/Techart springs for sale. Will be in classifieds as soon as I get around to take pictures. Were just removed from a GTS. Not sure what other cars they will work on but I suspect any .2 997, at least S models. Need to confirm though. Asking $199 plus actual shipping cost.

 

Great price. I thought your gts was in h&rs