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Joined: Jan 2003
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OP
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Originally posted by btrautman:
I've had the same problem. I rigged a setup where I used a jack connected to the strut to jack the strut up into the tower. You have to rig something up to do this carefully but I did it and it worked fine.
I did this to get the strut out, and ended up crushing my hand between the strut and the breaker bar I used as an extension for the jack. I really thought I was going to lose fingers! OUCH!
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Joined: Jun 2000
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Originally posted by SVTCANUK:
If everything is lined up correctly you can do this without all the prying of the LCA.
let me guess... 2-bolt LCA? 
huge pry bar helps to get the stud out because it actually compresses the spring, but on the way in it's very hard to get a good leverage. like I said, lowering SF gets the job done w/o drama.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 42
New CEG\'er
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OP
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Well, the subframe is lowered a little and I've got plenty of room to get the spindle into the knuckle, BUT... now I can't get the strut assembly to move inboard enough to get the spindle into the darn hole. The strut is held in loosely by the bolt on top of the strut tower. The halfshaft is the only thing that appears to be possibly impeding the movement inward. It seems to be in all the way. Is there anything other than the splines that locate the halfshaft, like a keyway of sorts? Could it have popped out a little and stuck? Once more... ugh. Back to the mess... and thanks for the help guys. Couldn't have gotten this far without you. 
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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btrautman part number for these thicker mounts
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Joined: Jun 2000
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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all I can tell you is that when i did mine i had a friend stand on the lower control arm while i moved the knuckle into place, then once it was all lined up he let og and I bashed it in with a hammer.
Be careful with your hands, my "helper" slipped and my thumb got smashed between the knuckle and control arm. That sucked.
1999 Silver Frost SVT
#609 of 2760
Quaife, lightened SVT Flywheel, SPEC stage II clutch, removed resonator, k&n drop in - various other goodies too.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
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careful w/ halfshaft! you actually may have it far enough for the tripod to fall out of the housing.
it's not a big deal, it will go in w/o too much fuss, but be careful and don't force it. you can accidentally pinch the CV joint boot. if you do you will have to do the LCA drill again. don't ask how I know.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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New CEG\'er
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OP
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I WIN! A million thanks to you all. I think I'm going to try the other side now. I hope I'm not asking for trouble... 
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Posts: 750
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a few tips: I bought a pair of sleder spring compressors at advance auto, they weren't expensive ($20-30 IIRC). They fit into the wheel well. (I've even made them "shorter" by using 5" long PCV pipe pieces between the bottom clamp and the bottom end of the threaded rod). having a (possibly fat) buddy step on the LCA while you're positioning might do the trick as well. if the CV joint has popped out (you can feel it through the boot), kneel down, align the halfshaft up level and against your right shoulder and do a quick pushing move - it'll slide right in. and just to cheer you up - you're the lucky one, I've replaced the stock zetec springs for SVT ones and I can tell you it's way easier to work with the stockies... Tiv
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
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Originally posted by SVTCANUK:
If everything is lined up correctly you can do this without all the prying of the LCA. I have done this several times and have never had to force things into place. You may have to twist and turn things to get it to pop in but this can be done with minimal force.
I believe the newer control arms make it much easier to replace struts/springs. I've done my front two different ways and by far, the easiest way is to have a VERY long pry bar and pry hard and get it in. We did one corner in 45 minutes this way.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Joined: Oct 2000
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by PhatDoggy:
Well, the subframe is lowered a little and I've got plenty of room to get the spindle into the knuckle, BUT... now I can't get the strut assembly to move inboard enough to get the spindle into the darn hole. The strut is held in loosely by the bolt on top of the strut tower. The halfshaft is the only thing that appears to be possibly impeding the movement inward. It seems to be in all the way. Is there anything other than the splines that locate the halfshaft, like a keyway of sorts? Could it have popped out a little and stuck? Once more... ugh. Back to the mess...
and thanks for the help guys. Couldn't have gotten this far without you.
Well, this is where I am, right now. Passenger side went together in a snap. Driver's side is a )&)&%@#%#$@#$^!
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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