Front Strut swap Problem

[rx_7addict]

I replaced the front strut and I cant get the upper bolt hole in the lower strut mount to line up any suggestions.

[zppeacock]

you might have to jack up the control arm to get the knuckle to move

[yotatoter]

You have to push in the strut toward the car frame and it should slide right in, if not are you sure you have the right strut??

[rx_7addict]

I double checked the part and it is correct. I may have the strut mount assembly assembled incorrectly but I doubt it. The problem i am have is limited play in order to get the last bolt in. When I use the floor jack to lift the control are it compresses as it should but it doesnt rotate enough to get the bolt in.

[bdy0003]

I had this problem when I was replacing my struts. I put the bolt in the bottom and then tried the top and couldnt put in the top bolt. To remedy the situation, I bolted the top then the bottom. I guess that made the difference. Using a jack is definitely helpful with this process. O yeah, one more thing, please remember to make sure your axle is connected to your hub. I wish someone told me about it when I replaced my struts. =(

[rx_7addict]

just curious what does the axle have anything to do with this install?

[bdy0003]

When you take out your old struts, your hub can disconnect to the axle like mine was. When I started the car, the axle was the one rotating but not the hub so I guess the grinding sound I heard was my axle being destroyed. Make sure they are in before bolting on your struts to the hub.

Originally Posted by rx_7addict

just curious what does the axle have anything to do with this install?

[tomtom25]

i agree with yotator bolt the top up first then the bottom of the strut it'll make things easier that way, they're a bitch man they're like that in the cars same with the lexus's

[haux]

I bolted the top first also. Had no problems doing it that way. It never even occurred to me to start at the bottom.

[tomtom25]

it is deffinently a bitch alot of the time to align straight in make shure the spring is sitin back in the same grooves that is already made into the top and one the strut itself if its not aligned right sometimes it won't line up right. It's deffinently a strain on the arms fighting that thing back an forth trying to get it lined up right also if you can get 2 of the strut bolts in the whole and try slowly tighting them to try and pull the last through! Maybe that can help some I have done a bunch before but it's always been one of those do it at the time things!