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New Strut seems like it is too long. Tried to get it on, but the bottom got stuck and I can get it off. I am thinking about removing the upper controll arm. Will this drop it enough to help me leverage it off? Why won't the new strut fit? is there a way to resize it or shorten it to fit?
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Did you install the old spring and top bearing plate on the new strut,just as you had when you removed it? Hopefully you removed the entire assy. You needed to use a strut compressor or spring compressors, if you like to live dangerously,to remove the old strut from the spring.
front stuts need replacement, buy this point it would be both. you can tell most of the time buy if you hit a pot hole on the left and it makes a nosie thats the side. but after a few days of driving like this both are in bad shape and need replacement.
there is no bearing its just the strut, you can tell buy getting a jack stand and lifting the front and moving the tire side to side and back to front. usaly anything over 10-20 thouthands of an inch is bad, and that mean if you feel it it's bad.
but anyways to replace it you will need a sop, you have to compress your front srping in order to remove and install a strut.
It sounds like the mechanic may have left the upper strut nut a bit loose, you may want to ask him to check it, but be nice, Toyota had some problems with upper strut mounts. These are on the top of the strut, they hold them to the body of the car. Unfortunately you have to remove and disassemble the struts to replace them. You could try asking your mechanic to just replace the one side and try it. I'm pretty sure that's your problem and he may give you a break since he's done all the other work. There is also a bulletin on a rattle from the side view mirror, but I think since this just started with the strut job, the mount is your most likely cause. Google: toyota upper strut mount rattle
You "do not" need a strut spring compressor to change the struts on a 1998 ford escort.
Place the front of the car on jack stands, and remove the front tires.
Disconnect and remove the 2 bolts (at the bottom of the strut) that attach the strut to the knuckle (you may need air impact to break them free).
Remove the brake lines from the line retainer on the strut: If you open the brake lines you will need brake fluid, and need to bleed the brake system (to avoid opening the brake system, cut the line retainer from the old strut).
Inside the hood remove the circular cap that covers the top retaining nut on the strut. Remove the top retaining nut, then remove the strut.
Install new struts in reverse. To align the new strut to the knuckle, use a screwdriver to start the aligment, then insert the retaining bolts. If you cut the brake line retainers from the old struts, use plastic zip ties to attach the brake lines to the new struts.
You will need a strut spring compressor. You can probably buy a cheap one for about as much as a shop would charge you to install a new spring on your strut.
Sometimes you can even "borrow" these from your local parts store with a deposit.
It is probably faster to do it yourself than bring it to a shop.
You need to compress the spring before you put it in the strut housing. Directions should be included with the spring compressor kit.
Here's the general directions:
Take the two bolts on the bottom off
There may be a bolt holding the brake line in place (remove it)
Take the three bolts on the top off
The strut assembly should be free now.
Pull strut assembly out and set it on the floor
The top nut holds the top bearing plate and that holds the spring in place.
Remove the top nut
Remove old broken spring
Compress new spring and put it in place on the strut
I think you are right. The strut or strut mount bearings on the top of the strut could be making noise. The shop might try and rip you off with additional repairs for the control arms,control arm bushings, or steering parts. I would take the vehicle to a reliable shop.
Jack up and secure front end of your vehicle,Take off two front wheels. Loosen to bolt on the bottom of struts (Its a bolt and nut). Remove clip that holds brake hose on to strut and remove hose. DO NOT OPEN BRAKE LINE OR DISCONNECT FROM CALIPER. Remove bolts and remove bottom of strut from knuckle/Hub assembly. Then loosen nuts on strut tower( on top of fender inside hood) (3) nuts, mark exact locations of each nut on strut mount area on upper fender weld. Make sure to hold strut on the bottom so it doesn't drop down on caliper and knuckle or on you possibly.YOU WILL NEED A SPRING COMPRESSOR to compress spring so you can take struts off. MAKE SURE THAT SPRING IN COMPRESSED/SQUEEZED WITH A STRUT COMPRESSOR. Then loose center nut on strut tower(may be covered with a circular rubber cover) If nut spin around with out getting loose use vise grips to hold strut rod ONLY TO REMOVE STRUT NOT TO INSTALL. if you use vise grips to install it will damage strut. When nut is off, remove strut and reinstall new one transfer all rubber boots and cushions from old strut. Good Luck thanks for using FIX-YA.com contact me if you need more help.
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