Q45 strut replacement

[westbr]

Good morning. I am a newbie to this the forum. I have owned two different Q's over the past 7 years, with my current car being a 1995. Up to this point, I have performed all the work on the cars (water pump, alternator, brakes, stereo, etc.).

The Problem: I am putting new struts on (trying to). Front stut (driver side) came off without a hitch. I compressed the spring, removed the old strut and inserted new Tokico blue, and removed spring compressors. I can't fit the strut assembly into the tower and get the bottom of the stut onto the knob. The bottom of the stut extends past the knob by about 2.5 inches. Due to space limitations, I can' t get the spring compressors on the assembly while trying to insert back into the tower.

I am at the point of no return. Wheel off, stuck in my garage.

Any advice is appreciated.Thanks

[Q451990]

That portion of the suspension won't flex down to allow you to put it on? I've done this twice, and don't really recall a problem like this. I've never used the spring compressors while installing or removing the assembly, only while it's off the car to replace the shock and bump stops, bushings, etc.

Welcome to NICO!

Heath

[westbr]

Not to the extent that it needs to. Perhaps I am not using enough force in pushing down on that part of the suspension?

I will try it again.

Thanks

[elwesso]

This kind of reminds me of hitmans attempt at the on-car spring compression

[DAEDALUS]

Yeah. I once had to have a buddy step on the axle hub and bounce on it till I could get the strut on.

[911/Q45]

Take the top of the strut off the car and assemble the strut, then reinstall as a unit.

[westbr]

Thanks for all the help. I made it. All four struts installed and the Q-ship handles great. Not quite as good as my first 91 Q45A, but the ride much better.

The trick to remember when replacing front struts ( I have just learned the hard way) is to jack the front end up (both sides) and put onto jackstands. You have get both wheels off the ground in order to take pressure off the sway bar. Once you do this, the stut falls into place with no problems. If you don't, it will be really difficult to get the wheel low enough to get the strut onto the knuckle. Perhaps obvious to some, but not to me.

Thanks again for the help.