How to use a stupid Macpherson strut compressor?

[Eric2.0]

Oyyy....

99 Mystique rear struts trying to get back in.

I changed out the springs then compressed the springs so I could get the strut up into the housing...All was fine until I notice that I cannot get my wrench(open end) onto the damn compressor nut! So I was unable to relieve the tension. I tried to put it upside down so the bolt heads would be toward the ground, but the ends of the compressor hit the bottom of the car and won't go up in!..

All I can think of is to use spacers so the ends don't go above the strut mount?..

I guess what I am trying to say is.... how the hell do you compress the spring and get it up in there plus a wrench? It's so tight that I just cannot do anything in there.... CRAP!:crazy:

 

[striker2]

you dont use the spring compressor to get to installed into the car. just put it up there and install the 2 bolts to hold it. then lift up the knuckle onto the bottom of the strut and install it, you may have to use a jack under the knuckle to get it high enough to seat fully.

 

[FIND]

......

First you remove the strut/spring assembly from the car. Do not remove the nut holding the bearing plate to the shaft on the strut until you have the assembly off and the spring compressed. You compress the spring, then remove the bearing plate from the strut assembly, then remove the spring. Put the compressed springs back on the strut and reinstall the bearing plate. Relieve tension on the spring, remove the spring compressor, then install the strut/spring assembly on the car.

you dont use the spring compressor to get to installed into the car. just put it up there and install the 2 bolts to hold it. then lift up the knuckle onto the bottom of the strut and install it, you may have to use a jack under the knuckle to get it high enough to seat fully.

That too if you were trying that. Either way the spring compressor does not belong anywhere near the vehicle.

 

[Eric2.0]

I swore the Hanes book said to compress the spring before install, but I'm going with what is said here. I just need to get the rear control arm down all the way so the knuckle is hitting the ground. Trying to work loose the stinkin brake line though, It's holding it up. Soaking in PBblaster as I type.

Thank god I had a few days off.

 

[Eric2.0]

Finally got the springs in and she passed inspection today.

I found a little trick to help get the struts out easier. I jack up the suspension compressing the strut and spring, attach my spring compressor then let the suspension down. Now the spring tension is gone and you can lift the strut off the bump stop a lot easier.

The left side took me a day and the right side took me a couple of hours. It's easy once yo uknow WTF is going on lol. I could do three cars a day now.

 

[FIND]

fwiw, I can do three in an hour

just teasing you. Glad you figured out something that works for you.

 

[Eric2.0]

Well at times it was a pain in the ass from lack of impact tools and trying to find the correct tools in my heap of crap, a broken brake line I had to make new then some rust and dirt fell into my eyes.

However I saved around 600 bucks not having the shop do it and I got them in as good as they could.. So at the end of the day I felt pretty humbled over myself..heheh .

 

[Eric2.0]

fwiw, I can do three in an hour

I bet I could now get the strut out, change the spring and put a new strut in at about half an hour flat. I bet I could. A little longer fo ra car that hasn't had the bolts broken loose yet(I have no impact wrenches lol)