rear strut help

[svtd00d]

does anyone have a working link to how to change rear struts? i cannot find anything for the life of me through searching.

or if someones bored and has knowledge

 

[royalblue]

off the top of my head lower sway bar mounts, remove pinch bolt, and remove bolts from top of wheel well:help:

 

[svtd00d]

if my spring compressor wont fit... whats my next step?

 

[royalblue]

do you all ready have the strut out:shrug: DO NOT compress spring until the strut is out of the car

 

[wht02lightning]

do you all ready have the strut out:shrug: DO NOT compress spring until the strut is out of the car

Well i changed mine yesterday with the help of OB1 and without compressing the springs first i think it would have been half impossible to get loose..

We removed the sway bar links, then reomved the pinch bolt, used a hammer on the flat metal part next to the strut untill it came off the bottom, the the 2 10mm bolts up top, and reversed to install

 

[svtd00d]

thanks for the help so far. you were right not to compress untill out... any tips on getting the new ones in? having trouble . anyone have tips?

 

[zorrex]

You don't need to compress rear springs. The whole assembly comes out and can be disassembled without the aid of spring compressors.

 

[CRGkart44]

wha... how do you get the springs off without a compresser?

i would like to know as i am putting lowering springs on soon

 

[Tex]

wha... how do you get the springs off without a compresser?

i would like to know as i am putting lowering springs on soon

You need the spring compressor to get the spring off of the strut AFTER you pull the spring/strut/mount assembly out of the car.

 

[zorrex]

You need the spring compressor to get the spring off of the strut AFTER you pull the spring/strut/mount assembly out of the car.

Yeah...no. I assembled the stock rear struts and springs without a compressor. It just took a bit of body weight. Now the FRONTS on the other hand are a totally different story...

 

[Tex]

Yeah...no. I assembled the stock rear struts and springs without a compressor. It just took a bit of body weight. Now the FRONTS on the other hand are a totally different story...

Ok, so you need the compressor for the fronts any way, why not use them on the rear instead of fighting with an awkward assembly. Regardless, the point was that you don't need the compressor to get the things out to begin with.

 

[svtd00d]

Well id like to update you on how the install went, and since i wasnt able to find a how to.. ill try and describe it as best as i can in case anyones doing it in the future. (ill add pictures soon)

note: 1998 CSVT, im not sure if they changed things in the future csvt years.
note: you only use the spring tension tool when you are adding new springs to the strut or vice versa. Never while its in the car , (and cause theres no room).

Anyways. to start things off jack it up, remove the wheel. Now you can remove two bolts up on the inside of the wheel well.

then i removed the one screw that holds up the control arm. (this way you'll be able to push the hub down further when you are removing the strut/spring).

Then i took out the pinch bolt.

I used my hammer on the flat top part of the hub to knock it loose from it squeezing the strut and it eventually slides off. then you can maneuver the whole strut and spring as one ( since they're connected ) and take it out.

For the install the only tricky part was (and ill have pictures soon) getting the bottom plate of the strut to seat on the metal flange on the car. for this i put the but end of the strut in the hole where it goes into the hub (it wont be aligned correctly, but trust me) and pulled up hard on the hub , giving you more leverage because you need to compress the spring/strut a little bit to get it over the seat flange for the strut.

then a few taps of the hammer to seat the strut back into the hub and replace your screws and you should be all good!!

thanks guys.

 

[zorrex]

Ok, so you need the compressor for the fronts any way, why not use them on the rear instead of fighting with an awkward assembly. Regardless, the point was that you don't need the compressor to get the things out to begin with.

Dude. He is CHANGING REAR STRUTS. This would require a spring compressor if it was the fronts. He's not just taking the assemblies out. And no it really isn't that awkward assembling the strut and spring by just using a bit of body weight. Lean on it with one hand and throw the nut on the plate with the other. It isn't that difficult.

 

[Tex]

Dude. He is CHANGING REAR STRUTS. This would require a spring compressor if it was the fronts. He's not just taking the assemblies out. And no it really isn't that awkward assembling the strut and spring by just using a bit of body weight. Lean on it with one hand and throw the nut on the plate with the other. It isn't that difficult.

I'm well aware what the OP is doing. I was trying to address CRGkart44's question. I wouldn't think that he'd be putting lowering springs on JUST the rear, would you? :blackeye:

 

[wht02lightning]

while I imagine you COULd do it without, it was deffintly helpful for m to use the compressors to install back in, there was room, I did it yesterday, and not having to fight it after hours of work was helpful, to each his own, but ill deffinitly use them in the future, just to make it as easy as possible.

 

[svtd00d]

I added the pictures for the install of the rear struts. It should go smoothly with this method. If theres anything i missed feel free to add. thanks again guys.

 

[Scorpion8]

I added the pictures for the install of the rear struts. It should go smoothly with this method.

Now this has been a great informative post. Thanks. I have to do this in the coming spring once the ice and slush is off the driveway.

 

[SVTMiG]

2 comments...

1. A floor jack under the assembly makes getting it off/on its perch a no strain operation. Having 3 hands would have been better yet.

2. If you own an air hammer or can handle the $20-30 for a decent cheap one, it makes removing the strut (and installing) from the knuckle worlds easier.

 

[2000SE]

In all honesty, i undid all bolts necessary, even the 2 10mm on the top of the assembly then lifted with my legs on either side of the assembly. While doing this, pull out, or use a rubber mallet and smack if off the perch. (if you go that route don't undo the two 10mm up top)

For the reinstall, i just manned it back in there.

the enemy (fordcontour.org) has a great write up on doing suspension overhauls.

 

[muntus]

In all honesty, i undid all bolts necessary, even the 2 10mm on the top of the assembly then lifted with my legs on either side of the assembly. While doing this, pull out, or use a rubber mallet and smack if off the perch. (if you go that route don't undo the two 10mm up top)

For the reinstall, i just manned it back in there.

the enemy (fordcontour.org) has a great write up on doing suspension overhauls.

Do you have a link?