Replacing Front Strut Mounts & Bearings

[vortex2450]

Thanks for remembering me.:wave:

My procedure above was to get the strut and spring assembly out of the car. Once out, the spring compressor is then applied to protect you and the surroundings when the top nut is removed from the strut. With shorter, higher rate springs such as the Eibachs on my car, I need use only hand pressure to compress the spring enough to remove all spring load when removing the nut.

Either way, once the top nut is installed on the new mount assembly, the spring compressor is removed before the strut and spring assembly is reinstalled in the wheel well. I install one nut (inboard) loosely on the strut mount studs protruding from the strut tower to suspend the assmbly in the fenderwell. I then use the 2"x2"x4' lumber to lower the knuckle enough the slide the bottom of the strut into the knuckle. A bit of muscle is applied to align the knuckle with the strut to allow the strut to slide into the bore of the knuckle. I use the same bottle jack below the lower control arm to slowly press the knuckle onto the strut far enough to align the strut pinch bolt with its hole. Go too far and the bottle jack can be again used to slide the knuckle down the strut to align the pinch bolt for installation.

I have done this a few times with much success.

Thanks for the detailed procedure, it's certainly going to help.

I order the mount yesterday. Kevinspann is talking me into doing a gen3 brake upgrade when I do this as well.

-Josh

 

[sdpatt]

A note for those seeking strut mounts: some of the parts are supplied with a lifetime warranty (O'Reilly MasterPro for example). As our cars have been on the road a long time, those lifetime warranties can save/have saved a great deal of expense. Just last week it was front brake calipers (baked piston seals) and tie rod ends (joint wear/torn grease boot). I am almost embarrased when I return some of them for warranty replacement. I did say "almost." :angelnot:

 

[vortex2450]

Hey fellows,
SO I just got done with replacing the left strut mount after battling the LCA/ball joint, but I think I installed it improperly because it's popping bad. I followed the little pamphlet that came with the strut mount but I guess I ****** up somewhere.

Does this mean I have to tear it apart and try again?

If so can someone give me a detailed run down and what the **** to do as far as assembling the strut w/ mount and what not?

I used a pos impact to tighten the strut rod nut and it did the job but I think I'm missing something.
-Josh

 

[rubydist]

popping tells you that something is loose, so you just need to look through all the joints and make sure you have them tightened properly - ball joint, knuckle to strut, mount to strut, mount to body, end link, etc.