Rep Power: 235

I've been trying to install my tokico blues for the past few hours. I cannot seem to line up the knuckle with the strut where the two 19mm pinch bolts go. As it stands now, my car is in pieces in my apartment's underground parking structure. Not to mention, that the strut is resting on my CV joint which is the last place I would want to put any pressure.

It seems as if the only way to install the strut is to somehow compress the spring/strut in order for the holes to line up. This can't be correct, and I certainly cannot muscle this thing in place. What am I doing wrong? What have all you guys figured out that I haven't?

All the videos I've watched online of people installing front struts never seemed to have this problem. Line up the strut with the 3 holes on top...push the knuckle back...line up the bolts and voila! That's not how its been going for me. It seems this car is trying to test me, and its winning.

 
Rep Power: 285

You're working on the most difficult part of installing front struts at the moment, lots of people at difficulty at this stage and it will feel like you're doing something wrong it's so difficult. There's no miracle trick to getting it in though..

When I do it I stand on the lower control arm to push down, push the strut back, then slowly move the knuckle upwards and fiddle until I can get the lower crash bolt lined up. Line up the height of the lower crash bolt first, then work on the side to side adjustment. A second set of hands is a huge help.

I've pulled my front struts four times and worked on similar suspensions on other cars, this stage is still the most difficult.

Good luck.

 
Rep Power: 0

I remember that part....It is definitely the hardest part. You may need a second hand because the knuckle and rotor assemblies are hard to maneuver, especially for one person.

 
Rep Power: 248

first i see you have the tir rod connected. take that off. then take off the lower ball joint. if you can also unbolt the axle and pull it off the knuckle. if you have 32mm socket and impact gun, that is.

 
Rep Power: 235

That did the trick. I had my friend jerk the control arm a few times with his foot until I was able to slide the lower bolt in. Thank you very much. I was getting to the point where I was debating if owning a car was worth it or not. Drove the car around the block, listening for any noises - all clear in that department.

 
Rep Power: 235

Thanks for all the advice guys. My car would be in pieces without your help. My car has 130,000 miles on it with the original struts. You can just imagine what riding around in my car was like, every pothole or uneven surface at high speeds possessed the potential for death.

 
Rep Power: 196

A little late to help out, but I hope you enjoy the blues! I love mine!

Doesn't it feel good doing it yourself too?