Camry struts: can't reassemble HELP! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dave52 · 06-19-2009, 09:59 AM

I must have done something wrong!!!!! Carefully removed old front driver side strut, cautiously lowered the control arm/rotor assembly so I could remove old strut and install the new one. Now I've installed the new strut but can't for the life of me get the 2 lower bolt holes to line up to insert bolts in the strut flange. It's like the bottom one is aligned but the top one is angled out about 3/4 inch. Removed from the flange and can not get the two holes to align vertically to the strut flange holes. HELP!!!

97 camry

WhiteRabbit · 06-19-2009, 10:10 AM

Got a picture?

Getting them on is a total b*tch. It's a two man job, someone to step on the knuckle and brake assembly, and another to line up the bolts and slide them through.

davemac2 · 06-19-2009, 05:08 PM

loosen the bolts on the strut mount to get a little more maneuverability to align the 2 lower holes at the knuckle. Then tighten the strut mount.

dave mc

rusty9 · 06-19-2009, 05:43 PM

also helps to remove the ball joint nuts/bolt at the bottom of the knuckle to get you some more wiggle room.

quangtran89 · 06-19-2009, 06:06 PM

Try jacking up the passenger side. It happen to me last time when I installed my struts. Taking them off was was easy but couldn't really line the two bolt at the bottom up until I jacked the passenger side up. It was pretty easy after that.

***JohnGD*** · 06-19-2009, 08:33 PM

Keep the mount nuts loosely installed so you can swivel the entire assembly a bit. Should not need to remove anything else than the 2 large strut bolts. May need to use a jack to help lift the steering knuckle.