strut insert replacement question

[Phil Rose <pjrose@servtech.com>]

I'm in the midst of putting in new shocks. The driver's side ('91 200q)
came out and a new shock went in like a good textbook example. No muss, no
fuss. But on the other side, the piston is pointed very off-center (towards
the rear of the strut mount) no matter how I move the steering. I was able
to slide the upper washer and rubber stop out, but only with a lot of
pulling on the piston. Wheels are on the floor, but jacking up a little
doesn't appear to help.

This wasn't a problem on the first side, where it seemed relatively easy to
get the shock well-centered. Now, I can just manage to slide in the
(cap-removal) tool and engage the hex, but the tool rubs pretty hard on the
rear of the strut mount as I try to apply torque  (I say "try" 'cause the
cap is not loosening yet, and I think that the extra pressure against the
shock piston can't be helping the effort).

Anyway, I've got some penetrating oil down there while I think about the
next step. Do I just raise the car and push on the spring  (say with a
block of wood) to get the strut centered? How high can I raise the car
without danger of losing the spring?


Phil Rose				Rochester, NY
'91 200q				mailto:pjrose@servtech.com
'89 100