Support for brakes during shock swap?

[Danglerb]

I am changing the shocks on my Porsche 928, did the first one a couple weeks ago and it turned into enough of a project that I barely got the driver side done before I had to leave on a trip. It has upper and lower A arms with the coil over shock/strut barely fitting through the upper A arm and bolted to the lower. Both A arms need to be disconnected from the spindle and brakes, and a big time consumer for me was supporting the spindle and brakes.

Nothing inside the fender well works as a support point, best I can think of is some kind of strap from the engine compartment over the top of the fender (aluminum fender) and hanging down with some kind of bracket I could attach to a couple of lugs (two so I can keep it oriented upright).

Am I thinking about this all wrong? Suggestions?

It felt kind of funny balancing the rotor on my head last time.

 

[uhcrandy]

I keep a bunch of old wire coat hangers for just this use. I can usally find some small hole or perch to hang the hook in. I just bend the rest to hold what ever i need.

 

[rsanter]

how about a floor jack or trans jack under the assembly

you can take the cup off the floor jack and install a plate with a round piece welded to the botton so it fits in the place of the cup. on the top you can weld a bracket that goes to the lugs

strap over aluminum fender?...be carefull

bob

 

[goodfellow]

I keep a bunch of old wire coat hangers for just this use. I can usally find some small hole or perch to hang the hook in. I just bend the rest to hold what ever i need.

+ 1 on the coat hangers, or you can get thinner mechanic's wire in spools that will be more flexible and allow you to tie things off in short order.

 

[justinmc]

As mentioned.. coat hangers or else I have a few old buckets and such that I can stick under stuff and flip em over to hold stuff up. Blocks of wood, etc. I always keep those cheap trunk style screw jacks (the ones from import cars) as well. You can strap a block of wood to the top of one and it'll hold stuff up on a nice adjustable "platform" (perfect for low weight items, etc).

 

[bchee]

+1 on wire coat hangers. I once had a window motor break on me, so the window wouldn't roll up, AND it was raining. I used a coat hanger to hold the entire window assembly up.

 

[danc333]

I have used the coat hanger method. If that won't work for you perhaps a ratchet strap would.

 

[stioc]

A picture would clarify the issue but it sounds like there's no place to hook a coat hanger etc in the wheel well.

Your own idea of using a strap from the engine compartment sounds good as well as using a crate/box etc under the wheel well and just resting the brake calipers on that...if there's room.

Post a pic...we love pics.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Do you have enough room to bring in a cherry picker from the other side or front?

~Steve

 

[Danglerb]

Nothing in the fender well, last time I used a coat hanger, but ran it up through the top shock mount after the shock was loose, but super in the way on install and I had to use temporary zip ties to upper A arm in the early stages.

Car is on a two post lift, too high for most floor based options. I did use one of those support screw jack things, but a caliper and rotor with brake line attached need more than a single point bottom support.

Ratchet strap over the fender and coat hanger might work, but I am thinking I need a stiff bracket so the rotor won't go lugs up.

Will work on some picts next round.

 

[rsanter]

perhaps you need to get an upright trans jack. the kind for use with a lift

bob

 

[Uncle Buck]

I many times use strong zip ties tied one to the next for stuff like this. If I don't have any zip ties strong enough I shift to wire as already suggested.

 

[ImportTuner]

I normally use a S hook .. works great

 

[nightrain00]

I used to keep a few of the wire hangers they stick in the ends of exhaust pipes when they hang them at the auto parts store. most times they are to lazy to remove them or I'm shure they would give you a couple if you asked. Kind of the same idea as the coat hanger but a little more heavy duty. If that doesn't work try a ratcheting tie down strap you could hook it to something in the engine compartment and run it over the fender with a rag under it to keep it from marking anything up.

 

[bgott]

Rubber bungie cords.