Getting Struts into LCA?

[tempname]

gen 2, have the struts/springs out of the LCA so i could get the axles out, and now i would like too get them back in. I'm having a little bit of trouble getting them back in. I have a pair of strut compressors but the barely fit up inside the wheel well enought to even compress the strut and i can't push the CA or tension strut down enough to get the Strut back into the knuckle assembly. Any help would be appreciated. -bob-

 

[Green Sho]

I usually just compress the bottom 2 or 3 rings of the spring down enough so it has clearance at the top of the wheel well, and they just slip right in. I've used the motorcraft spring compressor a bunch of times with no problems.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Jab a screw driver or wedge into the place where the blot goes thoguh and then put the nut back in reverse. Use the screw to open the knuckle up so you can slide the strut in. Works for me.

You should be able to get teh strut in enough and just push down on the lower control arm to get extra room.

 

[Shoaz]

I'm assuming you mean this is a front installation?

I've never used a spring compressor to install the struts into the car (well, not successfully, anyway). Bolt in the top, then use a long pry arm against the subframe to deflect the LCA as low as it will go, which typically gives just enough space to pop it into the knuckle even with the strut in full extension.

Same thing in the rear, although it's a lot harder with the long struts.

 

[Bob Jusnes]

Just saw this thread and figured I would put some input in since I just went through all of this yesterday. I cut some 4 inch pieces of pipe (an old jack handle in my case) and used it to space the head of the spring compressor bolt away from the first jaw. This let me compress the spring EASILY enough to get it out of the LCA, and did not leave too much bolt protruding upwards into the strut tower.

It took me a while to figure it out because my LCA strut rod was hitting the hole in the subframe, not allowing the LCA to drop any more.

Hopefully this helps someone in the future?

 

[Mike93]

Hmm...sometimes I can wrestle it in there by pulling the strut outward and getting the edge of the strut to meet the opening of the spindle, then wiggle it around and it falls right in. Quickest I've done this has been a matter of seconds.

If this fails, I'll grab a 1/2" extension that is about 24" and prop this under the strut housing right below where the bottom of the spring sets...then use a floor jack to compress the spring a few inches. Since the strut is bolted in there is no risk of it flying, just a risk of the extension popping out (which isn't a big deal with less than a few inches of compression). With the strut compress there's plenty of room to slide the spindel underneath.

 

[Rockledge]

Just saw this thread and figured I would put some input in since I just went through all of this yesterday. I cut some 4 inch pieces of pipe (an old jack handle in my case) and used it to space the head of the spring compressor bolt away from the first jaw. This let me compress the spring EASILY enough to get it out of the LCA, and did not leave too much bolt protruding upwards into the strut tower.

I did something very similar, using some pipe fittings to essentially "shorten" the spring compressor bolt.

 

[Bob Jusnes]

exactly! This way I didnt have to disconnect any other parts from the spindle (LCA, strut rod, tie rod, etc)