Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Southeast Strut install

Oh, definitely, cold does not mix well with me either!!! God I hate the cold!!!!

I hate the cold too, that's why I got stationed here.
I have a buddy that's replaced struts before to help out with the install. The only problem is that his only time available is weekday evenings. I hope we get it all done in one day, cause I really don't want to look ghetto rolling with the front lowered and rear stock!
I have everything I need now but the struts, and they are enroute!
Thanks all for the info and words of wisdom. I'll post my thoughts after the install. Roush springs w/ Koni's should be nice, if not, I'll get some H&R's and do it again!!!

I've done this twice now so I'll give you my words of advice. Read Aussie's Faq on it. It's got some great short cuts.

The fronts are pretty straight forward.

I have found a quicker quieter way to get the rear hubs off though.

Put on the emergency brake *HARD*. Jack up the rear and put stands under it, make sure you have about 4-6 inches of clearance under the tire. Take off the wheel. Soak the bottom of the strut in WD-40, Marvel Mystery Oil, or another penetrating Oil. Take out the strut pinch bolt, the 10mm retaining nuts in the strut well, and the swaybar nut and bolt. Now put the wheel back on tightening the nuts so it won't move. Make sure it doesn't turn since the E-Brake is on. Now stand up on the wheel leaning over the back of the car. Do small but strong bunny hops on the wheel. It should pop out of the strut in no time.

I came up with this method since getting a sledge hammer in the area of the hub is rather difficult with the ABS sensor, Dust sheild, ebrake hardware. It's really simple and easy plus it could save you about 15-20 minutes per side. If you did it carefully with the sledge hammer.

I don't know if I'd try to get it all done in one night. I'd certainly leave 10-12 hours just in case. If you can leave the car for a day after doing the front or rear one night, that should be fine. One night wouldn't be enough in my opinion though.

That sounds like a good plan, but I certainly don't recall having any trouble going at the rears with a small (one handed) sledge. We did the fronts first and after learning on them, the backs went very quickly. Either way good luck and definitely let us know how it works out.

what ever happened with the install???

Where are you bangin with the sledge hammer? cause I dont wanna start tapppin on the disc that fo sho... you tapppin on the knuckle?

Sorry it's takin a while. I had to wait for the struts to come in.
Also, after careful consideration, I think I'm going to have a shop that is skilled in putting in aftermarket parts do the install. $150 vs 8 - 12 hrs of my time. Working on grave shift put a really big crunch on the time factor.
I hope to have this done by Sat.
I'll post pics and remarks on the roush spring/KONI combo.

On the cast knuckle... you have to pull the brake and the rotor off to get to what you need to.

Most certainly do NOT hit the rotor with anything.