Installing struts = Painful

[TILLEY]

SO i recently bought (actually my g/f bought them...shes a keeper) some bilstein shocks and struts for the ol bird and today is the day to attempt the install. Well i got the drivers side strut out with little problem. But now on the passenger side it is becoming somewhat painful.

So heres the deal i took all 4 strut mounting bolts out and the sway bar mount on the lower control arm. But for some reason the the lower control arm is not going down as far as the drivers side did. Any ideas???

[Bonemaro]

Re: Installing struts = Painful

Struts? Is this a third generation Bird? If so, they may be like the forth generation, 'cause my passenger side shock was screwed. A lot of folk here have a similar issue with the passenger side. Some have cut it off. Since I was replacing the springs, I just got new isolators and mounts.

You did remove the upper ball joint, right?

[TILLEY]

Re: Installing struts = Painful

Alright so I did not remove the upper ball joint yet. So I'll do that and let you know. Thanks. By the way it is a fourth gen.

[SilverRS96]

Re: Installing struts = Painful

i hope it wasnt 2 painfull...i mean 4th gens DONT HAVE STRUTS

[Firebirdkid96]

Re: Installing struts = Painful

i hope it wasnt 2 painfull...i mean 4th gens DONT HAVE STRUTS

i was hoping someone would say something before I got the chance to.

[TILLEY]

Re: Installing struts = Painful

well gentlemen thanks for clearing that up...and you didn't even have to tell me to read a stickey or use the search button. So they are just shocks?

But I disconnected the upper ball joint and it was smooth sailing from there. Any tips on I install?

[notsonic]

Re: Installing struts = Painful

yeah theyre shocks, its a short arm/long arm suspension. the shock isnt stressed for steering loads and stuff like a strut is.

anyway.

for the install, make sure you remember to put the upper a arm back. ive forgotten it once, and wondered why everything went in so easy.

also be careful with spring compressors.

[Bonemaro]

Re: Installing struts = Painful

I used these, but their database might be down.

FRONT
http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=6

REAR
http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=8

EDIT: They are back up now.