I'm not lowering, just replacing a collapsed stock strut with KYB GR2's.

Problem is that they are about an inch too long to get them back into the fork.

Any suggestions before I start breaking ball joints loose?

 

I'm assuming this is an 88-00 civic or 94-01 integra...

Too long to get back into the fork? Sounds like you only removed the strut/spring assembly and left the fork in place?

Save yourself some headache.
- Remove the bolt that connects the fork to the lca.
- Let the fork fall down
- Put strut/spring assembly in place.
- Hand tighten 2 nuts that hold spring/shock to strut tower.
- Attach fork to spring/strut, but don't torque pinch bolt on fork.

Now comes the tricky part, the lca & shock fork holes probably don't line up. You probably have to push down on the brake rotor/hub (possibly even stand on it).

Drive the bolt through the fork/lca holes. I've sometimes used a screwdriver to line the holes up. Snug bolts down. Put a jack under the lca/hub and jack it up to ensure strut is well seated into the fork. Torque all bolts down.

 

Sorry, should have been more specific. This is on an '07 Accord.

What you described is the way I did it, but when the fork fell down it was still on the bottom of the strut. I was able to wiggle and wrestle it apart, but the new strut was enough longer that it was a no go without pushing harder against the halfshaft than I was comfortable with.

I finally got it in by jabbing a prybar into the coils, then levering them up while using the top of the upper balljoint as a fulcrum. With the coils going up a little and the control arms being pushed down, I finally got it all together.

This was on the passenger side. Weird thing is that when I went to the driver's side, there was like a 1" or more gap between the bolted up strut and the fork.

Anyways, I got it done. Thanks for the prompt reply.

 

Haven't done a strut job on one of those. I've got an 06TL, so I imagine I'll be in for the same headache somewhere down the road. Glad you got it worked out.