Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

Ok, first of all im replacing the spring and struts.
So I have removed the caliper, and I have the strut so it is hanging out of the wheel well... My question is where is it supposed to come appart?

There is the mounting spot on the rear of the one part for the brake hose but is the strut unit disassembled from just above there? I still have the rubber shim (the one that sticks out in the engine bay) attached and I cut the spring because it was pissing me off and im replacing it anyways. So my question is how can I get the rusted crappy stock strut from the housing that it sits in???

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

The FSM and the Haynes, both, show the proper way to remove, disassemble and even rebuild the the front struts.

If you have the strut disconnected at the bottom, and the brake line off of the strut, remove the 4 nuts in the engine bay that hold the top of the strut. DO NOT remove the center nut, until you have the spring compressed with a spring compressor.

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

But I can remove it with the spring cut can I not? I have the haynes manual but found the diagrams not to show what I was looking for... Also the haynes manual says to remove the whole hub which I think is not needed...

And the problem is the spring is not disconnected at the bottom... Thats what my question was, what is the best way to remove the strut from the housing it seems to be seized in there pretty damn tight...

jgrewe

iTrader: (1)

The strut housing is part of the spindle. It all stays together and you remove the insert by loosening the big collar nut on top of the housing(in the middle of the spring). Two bolts that hold the strut to the steering arm is all you need to take out now.

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

If you have the spring cut enough that it is loose in the assembly, then take the top nut off that is holding the spring. Most aftermarket lowering springs do not need to be compressed for install, since they usually are shorter.

To remove the large strut nut, place the housing in a bench vise, do not clamp too tightly, and use a large (18-24") pipe wrench on the nut that holds the strut in the housing. Don't forget to add oil before installing the new strut. The oil helps disapate heat buildup.

REVHED

You need to take the whole strut assembly out of the car. THEN you can take it apart.

Dan_s_young

iTrader: (1)

This is offiously my problem at this point lol...