Front Quick Strut assembly

[ghortonjr]

Im in the middle of replacing the front suspension on my 05 Explorer with the Monroe Quick Struts. I got the driver side done fine but, I am having a hell of a time getting the passenger side in. Does anyone now of a helpful hint as to how I can get it in place?

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[Ronin8002]

Im in the middle of replacing the front suspension on my 05 Explorer with the Monroe Quick Struts. I got the driver side done fine but, I am having a hell of a time getting the passenger side in. Does anyone now of a helpful hint as to how I can get it in place?

Thanks,
Glenn

What part of it exactly is giving you a hard time?

 

[ghortonjr]

passenger side strut issue

Its getting pinched between the hole in the lower control arm and the boot that runs to the wheel hub. It will not allow me to push the top of the strut under the upper control arm and into the upper strut mount.

Working on posting pictures.

Thanks,
Glenn

 

[ghortonjr]

(dead link)

 

[Triton8273]

Yea...a pic is definitely going to help since I cant 100% picture what you are describing and we need to see where you have the lower part of the strut right now.

 

[Ronin8002]

Its getting pinched between the hole in the lower control arm and the boot that runs to the wheel hub. It will not allow me to push the top of the strut under the upper control arm and into the upper strut mount.

Working on posting pictures.

Thanks,
Glenn

Did you unbolt the upper ball joint from the spindle?

 

[ghortonjr]

Ronin8002,
I have not unbolted the ball joint, if I unbolt that will I have to get a front end alignment??

 

[Ronin8002]

No, alignment would only be needed if you remove where the upper control arm mounts to the top of the strut mount tower.

If you disconnect the upper balljoint from the spindle you won't have this problem and it will make the installation of the new strut easy.

Bolt in the bottom part of the strut first, then swing the top of the strut over and put it into the upper mount, bolt it down, then reconnect the upper ball joint to the spindle.

 

[ghortonjr]

Ronin8002,

I will go and give that a try then. Thanks for your help and Ill let you know how it goes..
Thanks again,
Glenn

 

[ghortonjr]

Ronin8002,
I got the nut off but I cant get it release so the bottom control arm is not lowering. Any ideas??????

 

[Ronin8002]

to get it to pop out of the spindle, use a jack under the lower control arm to get it level, then tap upward on the bolt of the upper balljoint with a hammer...should pop loose.

then you can lower the jack back down and you'll be in business.

 

[ghortonjr]

I got the ball joint to release thank you. But when I was trying to place the strut in I realized that the holes are not lining up. Is there a way to turn the bottom of the strut or do I need to take it back and get a new one??????

I really appreciate all your help so far Ronin8002

Thanks again,
Glenn

 

[Ronin8002]

I got the ball joint to release thank you. But when I was trying to place the strut in I realized that the holes are not lining up. Is there a way to turn the bottom of the strut or do I need to take it back and get a new one??????

I really appreciate all your help so far Ronin8002

Thanks again,
Glenn

glad to help

so the bottom will bolt in but the studs at the top don't line up with the mounting holes in the shock tower?

you might be able to turn the bottom of the strut. Bolt in the top part of the strut first and then insert a long screwdriver or other lever into the lower mounting hole of the strut and use that lever to turn the lower part of the strut until it lines up with the orientation of the mounting holes in the lower control arm

 

[ghortonjr]

Can I loosen the way bar to allow the lower control arm to go down farther?????

Sorry for all the questions, Im still new to the whole working on vehicles. Thanks again.

 

[Ronin8002]

Can I loosen the way bar to allow the lower control arm to go down farther?????

Sorry for all the questions, Im still new to the whole working on vehicles. Thanks again.

Yes, I would actually remove the whole swaybar link (the vertical piece that connects the swaybar to the lower control arm).

You'll have a lot more space to work that way and it will allow the lower control arm to go down a little further.

If you haven't already, trace that wire that goes from the ABS system up to the top of the fenderwell and unhook the connector up there. You don't want to put too much stress on that wire. Just reconnect it when you're done.

 

[ghortonjr]

By undoing the ball joint could I have messed it up?? I just put it back together and it seems a little loose, but it was solid before I took it off. how do I tell if it is bad and needs to be replaced??

 

[Ronin8002]

By undoing the ball joint could I have messed it up?? I just put it back together and it seems a little loose, but it was solid before I took it off. how do I tell if it is bad and needs to be replaced??

Well when you put it back together the unthreaded part of the balljoint should be fully seated in the spindle. when you put the nut back on, it should go far enough onto the threaded portion that there should be threads below the nut. If you grab the spindle and shake it when you everything assembled (strut installed, swaybar connected, upper balljoint attached to spindle) you shouldn't really have any play there. It should be like it was before you took it apart.

 

[ghortonjr]

I just wanted to thank you for answering all of my questions, I got the truck up and rolling and its driving great.

Thanks agin!!!
Glenn

 

[Ronin8002]