How do i put that strut back together?

-=Lobstah=-

-=Lobstah=-

Active member
So I decided to slowly tackle the project Brighton today. Axles and struts are out. Gonna hve to wait till tomorrow for axles
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Sooo... i tried to disassemble the strut. Compressed the spring, took the top nut off, had to pound on the top plate to separate it from the spring. Cleaned evertyhing (the piston on the old strut didnt even come back after being pushed down) and tried to put it toghether on GR2 and it almost feels like it's not long enough.

I blame the spring not being compressed all the way, but kinda reluctant to tighten it more and possibly get launched across the river into Auburn
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Any ideas?

 
Are you gonna have any time tomorrow during the day? I can shoot over and take a look. I'll need an address.

 
I had no problem when I put my GR2s and RS springs together. I had my wife start the nut on as I pushed down on the spring. No compressor. It seems your's should be about the same.

 
Yeah that's a little issue i have, there's only so many limbs that i can utilize
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RS and Brighton springs should be fairly close, right Joel?

 
solo technician technique (assuming all the bits are unassembled) : install top mount into car. insert strut/spring ass'y (unassembled) into car. connect lower strut bolt to knuckle, but don't torque up tight. CAREFULLY jack knuckle upwrd, guiding strut rod up thru hole in top mount. make sure spring is orientated correctly, with spring ends in little notches of spring perches. without too much pressure, spring should compress enough and strut rod should go up thru top mount and you can get the big nut onto it and snug up. if jacking starts to lift car before end of strut rod is up enough to get nut on, something's not aligned right. release jack slowly and start over.

watch your fingers, go slow, be patient and careful, it'll work. (probably) BTDT :thumbsup:

you might want to use channelock pliers to guide strut rod up thru top mount so you don't endanger fingers, if so pad the jaws so you don't bugger up the strut rod.

 
^^^^Nigel that's genius!! I wrestled with hand spring compressors for a long time by myself, and that way would be so much easier!!

Of course now the pnumatic changes makes it all a snap! :headbang:

 
We'll got the front done. The solution to my problem was ridiculously simple - i didnt compress the upper plate with the spring. Live and learn i guess. After almost 2 days of sitting there, scratching my head, the whole disassembly/assembly took 10 mins.

So.. now the front is sitting at least an inch higher and test drive felt like car's a$$ end was dragging on the road. Cant wait to finish the rears.

Thanks everyone.

 
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