I went to go put my new strut set up in today and I started realizing that a lot had to come apart in order for me to take the front struts out of my c4s. I have changed struts on plenty of different makes and models, but, I have yet to see a set up like this! Can anyone give me a how to guide on changing struts in these cars. I got as far as unbolting the strut and removing the caliper and rotor, dust shield and removing the end links. I didn't want to remove the halfshaft if it wasnt needed. So I figured I would come on here and ask you folks. Thank You and I am sorry if I am double posting!

 

Just did it on my C$ about 2 months ago. You will need a ball joint separator. I got one at Harbor Freight for less than $15. You have to separate the lower ball joint and the ball joint toward the front to get the wheel carrier out/off enough to get the top of the strut out from under the fender. As for the halfshaft, don't bother taking off the nut at the wheel carrier, you would need a press to get it out of the carrier. The other end, at the diff, is splined and will slide right out of the diff. Do it carefully and protect the splines to keep them clean and undamaged. It is easiest if you remove the plastic pan on the front of the car to access the diff. It helps to have to people as the carrier and halfshaft are heavy and you have to align the shaft when you reinstall it. Also it is a bear to hold the carrier/strut up and put on the three nuts by yourself.

One the halfshaft is back in and the carrier back in place be sure you use a wooden drift and a rubber mallet to slide the halfshaft all the way back into the diff. It must go in far enough so the the race on the shaft fits into the seal of the diff. This is where it pays off to have the plastic shield removed so that you can see this.

Hope this helps, sorry I did not take pictures. Let me know if I can be of more help.

 

thanks dharn55! I would have pulled the halfshaft from the differential. Screw taking off that center nut. What a pain in the *** to do some struts! Thank You for your help. What kind of struts did you put into your c4? Also the strut set up I got doesnt seem quite as long as the stock struts, is that normal? I got a set of d2 track coil-over setup

 

And the center nut takes a torque of about 300 ft. lbs. None of my torque wrenches go that high. I did take one of mine off with an air wrench before I realized that the shaft was not going to dome out of the carrier, but slid easily out of the diff. Put it back on with a special air wrench attachment.

As for the length of the coil, if it is going to lower the car is will be shorter than the stock, how much shorter depends on low is goes. I put a set of PSS10's in my car that I got for an incredible deal. Love them!

 

I know about it lowering the car. I ordered a set of d2 track set up coil-over setup. They special make it for Porsche. They make them only to order. The thing is the bottom half under the spring cup doesn't seem as long. It will unscrew down further so you can adjust it all yourself. I am just worried I will have a hard time getting the end links into the strut. It comes with adjustable end links. I am just going to have to pull everything apart one of these weekends and see.