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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 59
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 59 |
I just did the struts on my car. It would have been a pain in the ass to get the front struts off, but my buddy came up with a trick. We used a floor jack and a hammer (2x4 would work). We propped the hammer on the jack and put it under the spring mounting plate on the strut, then just raised the jack until the strut popped out of the bracket. OK, so maybe not the smartest idea, but it worked. 
1998 Duratec SE Sport MTX
K&N RU-3530 Filter
Eibach Springs
KYB GR-2 Struts
Toyo Proxes TPT Tires
SVT Exhaust
"I'll never rest until I can make my own way."
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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 livinsvt:
Yea I realized you were talking about the front after I posted. But as far as the front, disconnect the sway bar link up top and take the strut bolts out. You don't need to mess with the front subframe at all. That was just on the rear. But that was also the only thing I disconected on the rear, maybe pulling the brake hoses out of the slot to let it drop more, don't remeber. But Thats all I can think of now. Its pretty straight forward.
We removed the brake caliper (and thus rotor) ball joint and the thing that connects the sway bar (end-link?) and then pried down... On second front side it took us 45 minutes to complete the job, so it's not too time consuming once you know what to do.
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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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
We removed the brake caliper (and thus rotor) ball joint and the thing that connects the sway bar (end-link?) and then pried down... On second front side it took us 45 minutes to complete the job, so it's not too time consuming once you know what to do.
Well at least you improved your time  . On the 98+ I have never had to remove any hard brake componets(sp). Thus why I beleive I had all 4 struts removed in approx 30 minutes w/ air tools of course. I guess the early ones must be different.
'99 Silver svt
For sale
19" Axis Neo wheels
3.0 parts, pre-98 trunk,
Check classifieds
bp.powell@comcast.net
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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
Posts: 21,653 |
Yeah, I think it all boils down to the different control arms in pre98s vs. 98+. I believe the 98+ arm drops down much easier. An air ratchet is definitely nice to have and saves a lotta time, though I may be changing my rear struts soon without the aid of an air ratchet, enclosed garage or nice tools  ,, though definitely gonna use the air ratchet and the long pry bar again for the front.
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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I'm guessing the pre98's have the 4 bolt front control arms like the EO CSVT? I'm removing all 4 struts, rear subframe, and exhaust. All outside uncovered and it's only 30 degrees out Heat wave this week though gonna hit 40 WooHoo
06 GMC Sierra 2500HD Dmax/ally
06 Pontiac G6 GT
05 CRF250R
FOR SALE 06 KX65 with riding gear $2700 obo
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We used a two arm gear puller (with a nut on the point, naturally) and the rears popped out very easily without unbolting anything other than the sway bar. Pull it out, unbolt from the top, rinse and repeat for the other side. Putting it back in simply required a rubber mallet and a jack.
Beauty, eh?
Whirling dervish of FFOG.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 751
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Follow the Ford directions! You have to use a pry bar to loosen the ball joint from the A-arm to the knuckle and a foot on the arm to move the knuckle off of the joint. Then the strut falls out of the knuckle! Piece of cake, 45 min a side for installing H&Rs and BAT camber kit. Well, it would have been if we wouldn't have broken a set of spring compressors. Damn Harbor Freight!
Whirling dervish of FFOG.
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I just removed all 4 strut assemblies, my exhaust system, and the rear subframe in less then 4 hours. I really don't understand why everyone has such a hard time with these struts?? 
06 GMC Sierra 2500HD Dmax/ally
06 Pontiac G6 GT
05 CRF250R
FOR SALE 06 KX65 with riding gear $2700 obo
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
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Not everyone does,, rear is easy, and front is easy once you do one side and figure it out. Though you run into different difficulties on every car that my give you a harder time,, though you learn to work with those and it's still pretty simple.
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: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,887
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Posts: 3,887 |
Last edited by Thinkmoto; 02/29/04 04:26 PM.
06 GMC Sierra 2500HD Dmax/ally
06 Pontiac G6 GT
05 CRF250R
FOR SALE 06 KX65 with riding gear $2700 obo
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