Replacing Struts

[pekin22]

I have a 93 ATX, I'm in need of some new struts and wondering if anyone has installed their own. Any tips? Any brand/type you recommend?

 

[smokesho]

well, i would suggest getting a shop to do this cause you need to compress the springs to get them on the strut. also, you need to lower and raise the car alot and must be able to pry at the bottom of the strut to get it to pop out. i have had monroe sensitracs installed in the rear about three months ago.

 

[SHO SPD]

Yeah, it is a pain in the ass to do yourself, I started on the rear this morning, and I busted the bolt that tightens the pinch clamp to the strut on one of them, the other one I finally got off and out, now tomorrow I am going to be drilling, and tepping the old busted bolt out, then working like **** to get this other strut out.. ***DAMN RUST*** be sure if you do it yourself to ease the bolts tightening the pinch clamp, loosen a bit, tighten back down, loosen tighten, this works it free, and use PLENTY of lubricant. I just jacked up the whole rear end of my car, seems to be working good.

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1989 Titanium pearl
CAI
K&N cone filter
Slicers (thanx to G/F)
JBL speakers (thanks Adam)
G-tech times
0-60....6.61 sec.
1/[email protected] MPH

Jan. 10 1:15pm

 

[sdpatt]

Originally posted by smokesho:
well, i would suggest getting a shop to do this cause you need to compress the springs to get them on the strut. also, you need to lower and raise the car alot and must be able to pry at the bottom of the strut to get it to pop out. i have had monroe sensitracs installed in the rear about three months ago.

You must install the spring compressor to allow you to remove the springs from the old struts. Keep the springs in the compressor's grip as you slip them on the new struts. No compression necessary.

I have used a 1.5 ton bottle jack placed between the spindle and the lower spring deck on the strut to slip the strut out of the spindle. It usually only takes finger pressure on the short jack handle to generate the necessary force to separate the strut from the spindle.




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Scott

1991, 253K miles, glass hood, police grill, SVO shifter, Catz fogs,
K&N, 73mm MAF, Superchip, PP Y-pipe, Borla cat-back, 190 lph pump
Eibach/Tokico/polyurethane, SHO Shop front & rear strut braces,
16x7.5" Moda R1, 225/55ZR16 Bridgestone RE730, -1 deg camber x 4,
Class II hitch, Silver award at the SHOklahoma Car Show