Front Quick Strut Installation Issues

[myrtlebeachdude]

Hey all,

I'm trying to replace my front struts with the quick install one's from Prime Choice. I've ran into an issue I'm not sure how to go about resolving. I do not have much experience mechanical wise.

The top part of the strut is hitting and I can't get clearance to get it into the holes: http://i49.tinypic.com/qnl4b4.jpg

It appears to be hitting a boot that is behind the wheel hub: http://i45.tinypic.com/whbfnm.jpg

Any ideas on how I can get this in? I don't even know what any of these other components are, so I didn't want to start taking stuff off.

 

[Triton8273]

Replace it the opposite way...put the bottom part of the strut down through the lower control arm and then try that.

Bolt the top part of the strut in and then use a floor jack to compress the strut into position and replace the bolt in the lower control arm.

Hope this helped.

 

[myrtlebeachdude]

Replace it the opposite way...put the bottom part of the strut down through the lower control arm and then try that.

Bolt the top part of the strut in and then use a floor jack to compress the strut into position and replace the bolt in the lower control arm.

Hope this helped.

I did put the bottom part in first but still can't get the clearance. Sorry, didn't include the picture in the first post: http://i49.tinypic.com/2n9hzky.jpg

 

[Triton8273]

Your going to have to unbolt the upper control arm then.

 

[esclamada]

To make it easier, remove the upper ball joint, this will separate the steering knuckle from the upper control arm. Then remove the sway bar links, this will give you more flexibility to put in the new struts.



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[FordFool2]

Shouldn't the strut be compressed/restrained? There is a tool with jaws and threaded rod to compress the spring to make the unit shorter for install. They are available at auto parts store for rental/borrow.

 

[HiImBrian]

Shouldn't the strut be compressed/restrained? There is a tool with jaws and threaded rod to compress the spring to make the unit shorter for install. They are available at auto parts store for rental/borrow.

You shouldn't have to compress it. Make sure your wheels are straight and not turned.

Disconnect your upper ball joint-
Bolt in the top of the strut-
Push down the lower arm and bolt in the bottom-
Re-attach upper ball joint-
Done.

Is it just me or does the first picture look like its turned around the wrong way?

 

[myrtlebeachdude]

Just to follow up...

I was able to get the strut in without removing ball joint/lower arm. I used the spring compressor tool that Auto Zone rents out to compress it more, and it went in just fine.

The driver side was a different story with a rusted lower strut bolt spinning in the rubber bushing. That was over my head and my mechanic said he will have to torch out the bushing in order to get that strut out.

Anyways thanks for the help!