front suspension: need some help

[Konstantin Bogach]

Ok ... I used spring compressors and jack and aligned the strut inside the
tower. Now I will be able to change insert.  The main question left is: what
to do with strut bearings?  The car has 132,000 mi.  I think that I am
loosing just one more alignment cost if I need to replace it later because I
need to do the same amount (almost) of work now or later in order to replace
it.
Can I do any maintenance of the bearings? Cleaning? Lubing?

Thank you.
Konstantin Bogach.

Konstantin Bogach wrote:

> Hi listers.
>
> I learn everything in a hard way.  Sometime I do very stupid things like
> changing all bushings/tie rod at the front, making alignment and then in
> a week deciding to change front struts inserts.
>
> Removing old strut insert I did something stupid.  Probably I
> underestimate Bentley's comment about inserting piece of wood between
> spring and wheel housing.  I did not understood where exactly to insert
> it and why. Now I understand.  Spring bent (making arc), strut insert is
> misaligned, I can't move it to be at the center of opening in the strut
> tower. Trying to fix it I jacked the car and make it even worse.
> What do I do now?
>
> When  shall I change strut  bearings?  Shall I  wait until they go
> bad?   Shall I do any cleaning/lubing on them when upper mounts are off?
>
> Any advise will be greatly appreciated.  I don't know what to do at this
> point.
>
> Konstantin Bogach
> 200tqa '89
> 200tq '89