hello all, newbie here but i've read about 50,000 posts on this site. i'm currently doing many service upgrades to my car, 1 of which are new struts front and rear. the fronts went relatively smoothly. the rears however have become a huge pain. through much struggle i have finished the rear passenger side. i tried using the spring compressor to help shrink it down while still in the wheel well. it took every thing i had and my wife standing (bouncing) on the rear rotor to get the sucker out. finally it came out. sheesh. and going back in was just as murderous. i ran out of cuss words, and i know a good many. before i tackle the final remaining rear drivers side, i thought i'd rattle the information cage and see if i left something out. according to the manual, which i read as a last resort of course, i've done everything necessary for removal. bottom bolt, 2 top bolts, push down on knuckle. i also removed the ebrake cable keeper for a bit more room. sigh... anybody have any ideas, cheats? am i just a whussy?

 

Are you reinstalling aftermarket or stock springs with your struts? I installed aftermarket so reinstalling was easy but as for taking it off i shook the **** out of my lower control arm and it bounced out. I also had the two bolts on the rear strut towers unbolted so it kinda slid out sideways. Sometimes it just takes some time and i couldnt really get my spring compressor inside the wheel well since there wasnt that much room.

 

taking some sand paper and cleaning out the inside of the lower control arm will make installation a lot easier.


stuff does not come out if it has been in there for a long time you know.....

 

they are new kyb struts and i'm using the stocker springs so unfortunately they are full length. which is the problem at heart, they're too damn long and there's no practical way to compress the spring or lower the suspension any more. i didn't have any troubles getting the lower mount off the perch as this is an arizona car, bonus no rust. sounds like it's gonna be another rastlin match. have to think up some more cuss words.... thanks for your ideas.