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[mismartcar 0]

Hi  

I have just had my 06 smart Diesel since Jan and have to replace a broken front spring!   Looks like a lot of work maybe I should change the whole strut????

Rik

 

[MikeT 744]

Rik are you in Alaska or Ontario?  The VIN addition suggested Alaska....

 

Springs should be easily changed without doing anything else, unless the damper unit looks as though it's leaking.  A spring compressor would be all you need, plus a few tools and hours.

[mismartcar 0]

On 3/31/2017 at 3:08 PM, cadillacman said:

 

If you think this is a lot of work ... you've bought the wrong car ... sorry ... really ... honestly.

At this point in those cars lives, only the wealthy can afford to have professionals fix them ... and at times they will be really reluctant to do so. The $tealership reminds me of this every time I purchase any part more than $100.00 !!

 

That said ... I have replaced both my front springs, and at another time I have replaced both front shock units. But the entire strut assembly was still fine.

Thanks for the info!

  Now that I have the front and fenders off  it looks like something I should try.

 Thanks  Rik

 

[mismartcar 0]

On 3/31/2017 at 3:58 PM, Mike T said:

Rik are you in Alaska or Ontario?  The VIN addition suggested Alaska....

 

Springs should be easily changed without doing anything else, unless the damper unit looks as though it's leaking.  A spring compressor would be all you need, plus a few tools and hours.

Ontario

  Now that I have the front and fenders off it looks like I should do the struts myself

Thanks  Rik

[smart142 605]

You will also need a clamp to hold the shock strut shaft while you are trying to remove the top bolt.

 

Evilution has a great guide......http://www.evilution.co.uk/index.php?menu=chassis&mod=528

 

Good luck!

[tolsen 630]

I have the special clamp but have never needed to use it. 

I remove top nut by accessing through the small service hatches at top without removing any body panels. 

Use air impact driver with long extension and flexible joint like seen in photo below. 

 

 

 

This way changing a front strut takes only a few minutes per side. 

Edited April 19, 2017 by tolsen

[tolsen 630]

The only tricky move is removing the bearing dust caps without damaging them. I use an old wide wood working chisel. Wedge out initially with light hammer action all around. Then lever out using various thickness tools to lever against. After 15 years of working on Smart cars, I have not damaged or deformed a single front bearing dust cap. 

[Wild! 118]

If you need to borrow a clamp for your shocks, i'm 15 min. from you

[mismartcar 0]

       Thanks everyone for the great advice!

I am going to attack my parts car first ...Got the front 

off so it is easy to see everything!  

Rik

[LooseLugNuts 557]

i dont recall having to use spring compressors when i installed new springs...they were easy enough to do by hand

 

using donor parts i suppose you will be swapping assembled units anyway

Edited April 26, 2017 by LooseLugNuts

[tolsen 630]

Easier on Smarts made before 2003 to replace front springs if using the shorter springs. No need then for spring compressor.  Also possible with later spring if one is strong or has an assistant. Of course with lowering springs even a child can do it.