I went to replace the front struts. The strut assembley slammed down (spring compression pushed it down hard) when I removed the bolts for it. I went ahead and replced the strut and now I cannot get the assembly back in. It is as if the spring has stretched or something. It is the right strut for it, but the whole assembly seems too long. Even when I took it out it expanded very far.
Any ideas?

Thanks

 

I can't figure out what you are asking. Did you try to disassemble the strut without using a spring compressor? You must use a spring compressor to compress and hold the spring while disassembling the strut. You can kill yourself if you don't do it properly.

 

darn Darwinizm didn't take effect.

 

I took the top 3 nuts off and then when I took the bottom 2 bolts out, the assembly extended out about 3 inches. It is like the whole assembly is too long. I can't get it to fit back in. I don't know if I take off the sway bar I might get a liitle more play in it. I have done about 4 sets of struts and never heard or seen this before.

 

good to hear you did it the right way, now question is what brand struts need a part number too. should be stamped in the housing if you don't have the box.

otherwise did you try to use a pry bar and push down on the control arm? if this is difficult, remove the 4 bolts that attach the sway bar to the control arm and rotate the bar away from the control arms. do NOT remove the bolts to frame.. these tend to break off then your sol.

 

It is a little late for you, but Steve Simpson who posts on here has made the correct style and pressure struts for about the same .

 

i have a set of 4 srt struts does anyone know for sure if the rear struts will fit i have drum breaks and the srt has disc. i could use some help from anyone who has done this before i order my springs.