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Re-installing rear struts
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:03 pm
by ProZac
Took out my banana-shaped strut out this afternoon and swapped the spring on to a spare, straight one. Putting the darned thing back in however... If i put the top in first and and the 3 bolts on loosely, I can get the bottom of the strut _almost_ into the axle housing, but not quite, the strut is still on to much of an angle and wont slip in. If i insert the strut into the axle housing first, I cant get the studs on the top to line up with the top of the wheel arch.. They seem to sit towards the rear of the car a little to far.
Can anyone help me please?
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 6:19 pm
by Starion_Turbo
ok
first, either have someone stand on the suspension arm to bring it down or wedge a jack in-between the chassis and the arm to pull it as far down as possible, with the strut in arch insert it into base, you may need to pivot the hub to get it in, now allow the hub to lever towards the 3 strut top mounts, it should pivot enough on the arm.
Once this is achived let the arm back up slowley and align the top 3 bolts with the holes, its not an easy task but with enough fiddling and a bit of force, its entireley doable even by ones self.
Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:37 pm
by WANTSOM
Set the strut in the hub then line up the inner most thread on the strut top into its hole first then slowly jack the hub up and at the same time kinda guide/push the strut home. It IS fiddly - just be patient and work towards lining it all up and it'll come together
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:52 am
by Dz Nutz
Drop the lower control arm, get the strut in, rebolt up the a arm and get it re-aligned. Easiest way but needs an alignment afterwards.
Other wise just use muscles and any leverage you can find.
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 4:23 am
by ProZac
Wicked, cheers for the replies, i'll have another crack at it after work :).
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 2:48 pm
by Mick
pro, shiftlock and i did his last weekend and it was heaps easier putting the top in first, we tried bottom in first and it was very diffifcult...
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 3:13 pm
by Alspos
Undo the sway bar link. This will allow the control arm to be pushed lower easier. Put the strut in the control arm. Push down and locate bolt through top holes. Put a nuts on top. Finished.
Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:21 pm
by ProZac
In the end the top went in first, then loosened off the axel housing pivot bolt so it could pivot easier and muscled it until it was a straight shot with the bottom of the strut :).
Man, jobs are much easier when you've got a clear head and aren't all foggy from work all day :).
Cheers for the replies guys!