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This tutorial is based on the recent installation of Progress Lowering Springs and Bilstein Struts on my 2017 124 Classica. The car originally came with Tokico Struts and some relatively soft springs. Here's what I did to complete the job:
Tools Needed:
Jack and jack stands
Allen wrench
Hand Saw
Coil Spring Compressor
10, 12, 14, and 17mm wrenches and/or sockets
Impact wrench (not needed but is surely helps)
Once the car is raised and securely on jack stands, remove the wheels from the car and set them aside.
Note: Pay attention to how much effort it took to remove a given bolt. You'll want to use a similar amount of pressure tightening it all back together. If you don't think you can observe that kind of finesse, then consult a repair manual for the proper torque.
FRONT STRUT REMOVAL AND INSTALL
Open the hood and start removing the strut mounting bolts (14mm). If you have a strut brace on the car, remove it as well.

Remove the two 12mm bolts securing the hydraulic brake hose and the ABS wire to the upper control arm:


Remove the two 17mm bolts connecting the upper control arm to the frame:


Remove the 14mm nut connecting the sway bar link to the lower control arm:

Remove the 17mm bolt and nut from the bottom of the strut:

You now can lower the strut assembly from it's upper mount and pull it out of the car:

Once the strut assembly is out of the car, you'll need to use the coil spring compressor to remove the tension from the top hat, then remove the 14mm nut holding the top hat onto the strut.


Here is the layout of the order the parts go onto the strut:

If you are lowering the car, it's a good idea that you saw off some material off the bump stop so the strut does not bottom out too easy.


Reassemble the strut in the order shown above, make sure you line up the arrow on the dust boot to the scribe mark on the top hat, then make sure the arrow is lined up with the small hole on the bottom of the strut bracket

Install the strut in the same order you removed it and you should have it installed in the car. Finger tighten the upper control arm bolts and lower strut mount bolt and nut and then jack up the wheel assembly from under the lower ball joint. Once the wheel is lifted to the poin of laving the jackstand, tighten all the bolts hen lower the wheel assy

Tools Needed:
Jack and jack stands
Allen wrench
Hand Saw
Coil Spring Compressor
10, 12, 14, and 17mm wrenches and/or sockets
Impact wrench (not needed but is surely helps)
Once the car is raised and securely on jack stands, remove the wheels from the car and set them aside.
Note: Pay attention to how much effort it took to remove a given bolt. You'll want to use a similar amount of pressure tightening it all back together. If you don't think you can observe that kind of finesse, then consult a repair manual for the proper torque.
FRONT STRUT REMOVAL AND INSTALL
Open the hood and start removing the strut mounting bolts (14mm). If you have a strut brace on the car, remove it as well.

Remove the two 12mm bolts securing the hydraulic brake hose and the ABS wire to the upper control arm:


Remove the two 17mm bolts connecting the upper control arm to the frame:


Remove the 14mm nut connecting the sway bar link to the lower control arm:

Remove the 17mm bolt and nut from the bottom of the strut:

You now can lower the strut assembly from it's upper mount and pull it out of the car:

Once the strut assembly is out of the car, you'll need to use the coil spring compressor to remove the tension from the top hat, then remove the 14mm nut holding the top hat onto the strut.


Here is the layout of the order the parts go onto the strut:

If you are lowering the car, it's a good idea that you saw off some material off the bump stop so the strut does not bottom out too easy.


Reassemble the strut in the order shown above, make sure you line up the arrow on the dust boot to the scribe mark on the top hat, then make sure the arrow is lined up with the small hole on the bottom of the strut bracket

Install the strut in the same order you removed it and you should have it installed in the car. Finger tighten the upper control arm bolts and lower strut mount bolt and nut and then jack up the wheel assembly from under the lower ball joint. Once the wheel is lifted to the poin of laving the jackstand, tighten all the bolts hen lower the wheel assy
