Tip on installing front struts

["Paul C. Waterloo" <74543.407@compuserve.com>]

bruce@pwi.com (Bruce Romero) wrote:

On the strut replacement, wouldn't the spring have a chance
to come out of the cups as the strut housing is allowed to 
move once the strut is out. I am not seeing how the strut 
would stay in place or does having the wheel touching the 
ground kep it in place. Sounds interesting.

Reply:

When you jack up the car, jack it until the front wheel just comes off the
ground, then lower it a small amount so the wheel is touching the ground with
very little weight on it.

This preload on the spring by the weight of the car will prevent the
wheel/spring from moving at all (the spring will stay at in its slightly
compressed state) when the cartridge is removed.

If you jacked up the car so the wheel came off of the ground, you're right, the
spring would come out of the cups.

Try it, you'll find it very easy!

Paul Waterloo

'87 5KQ (170,000 miles)
'95 Subaru Legacy Wagon LS
'75 Triumph TR6