brian
08-27-2002, 02:14 PM
First detach the strut from the car, which is pretty straight forward, three bolts at the top of the strut tower and on big bolt holding it to the control arm. Once the strut is completely out, theres a couple ways of doing this. First and foremost, make sure you use spring compressors to properly compress the spring before attempting and strut disassembly, otherwise you may be missing limbs at the end of this. After compressed, the correct way to disassemble to strut is to get an "Upper strutmount tool" and use that by grabbing the outter piece with a wrench and stepping on the wrench on the ground then using another wrench to untorque the other bolt. This tool is basically a socket that goes around to keep the strut from spinning, then a longer socket that comes out longer than the first so you can turn the nut off of the strut. The tool is like 14 dollars, I suggest buying it. The other way to do it is to hold onto the strut shaft with a wrench or vicegrips or something and twist the otherbolt with a socket wrench. I strongly suggest the first one, whereas you have no chance of screwing up your strut then really. To do the new spring, you just compress it and line it up on the strut the same way the old one was so it sits right on the gasket, then reassemble the strut.