johnb74

Replacing struts since bushings are gone. Appears straight forward per the service manual. But as we all have found out, the manuals are sometimes over-simplified and do not factor in frozen bolts, etc. Any tips and am I going to have a problem with the shock mount connection. I already sprayed all bolts with Gunk penetrating oil. I also have one bent strut, which I do no know whether it was done for alignment or was hit ? I plan to mark the cam bolt to avoid having to have camber re-set at shop. Any tips appreciated. Thanks.

Big Fish

be careful when you remove the shocks. They actually limit the downwards travel of the t arm. You also might want to get new lower shock mounts or the proper tool to remove them. They are splined and take a real hard set in the yoke, if you wind up beating on them they will probably get trashed. I put adjustable struts on mine, seems like adjustment is a lot easier. The position on your cam bolt probably won't mean much with the new struts due to wear on your existing bushings and possible slight differences in tolerances of the struts. When you are all finished, get the car on a level surface and adjust the struts with a 24" spirit level. the tops of the tires should tip inwards almost 1/2 of a bubble. I know this is not the professional way, but should get it close enough. :cheers:

Pedro'74

As Big Fish said, get the appropriate tool to remove the shock mounts, or get new mounts. Those may be a BEAR to remove. In my case I had to swing at it real hard with a 5 pound hammer, almost knocking the car off the jackstands.

After everything was done, I just used a level to put the wheels perpendicular to the ground. That was close enough.

-Pedro

Lohkay

ookeeeyy... here's another look at it since I just removed mine. Get the upper strut attachment off...swing it down to give yourself some space. Take a torch and heat both sides the spindle carrier holding the lower shock mount....don't heat the later. Then, with the crown bolt on the stud (u want it flush with the bolt), Use a heavy hammer to tap on it. It should come right off. Laws of physics my frind. :p: