Strut tools

[riceburner006]

Bill,Hello! Have you had much luck with installing springs to the
damper assembly? I can remove them, but installing is harder. Now I
see why the factory tool with those 3 adjusting screws is so
important. Most other cars it's easy,but on these, the upper
assembly binds on the damper shaft as you compress the spring.I know
you made a tool for this can you explain or help with this?
riceburner006

[dealadayray]

Hi Riceburner;
Yes, the tool I made was out of a 6in length of I Beam and some
all-thread and a straight bar puller. Cutting a round hole into the I beam
end to match up with the bell type cover at the top of the strut is the key.
I also used some square tubing (large enough to hold the strut end and then
the puller was held onto the all-thread by bolts and turning the puller down
compressed the unit enough to take out the c ring (clip) holding the rest of
the assembly. always remember to lay things out just as you took them apart
and reassembly is always in reverse. Remember you only have to compress
enough to remove or install the c clip.
Getting the needle bearing in wrong or even a small plastic sleeve will
keep the strut from working properly.
Another issue is to look at the top mount, it can come undone from the
housing and just bump around. But while setting still will look good.
Bill