Besides a spring compressor, are there any specialty tools needed to replace struts for a 1991 toyota previa? Arepower tools necessary and how long should it take?

Get a shop manual to provide details to do this safely, and to provide torque values.

Did you use 2 spring compressors to compress the spring ( one on either side of the spring) One alone will not do the job as you have found out.

. Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Previa. Lift the front of the automobile on the side that you are starting with. Place a jack stand under the Previa and raise it to the frame of the vehicle. Remove the wheel using the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts.
2Remove the brake caliper by loosening the retaining pins with a socket and ratchet. Secure the caliper out of the way using a wire tie. Do not allow it to hang by the hose. Remove the brake rotor from the wheel. Disconnect the ABS sensor from the strut if the Previa has anti-lock brakes.
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Bridgestone PromotionGet Either A Reward Card Or Kindle When You Buy 4 Select Ecopia Tires.BridgestoneTire.com/Promo3Remove the nut securing the brake hose bracket to the strut with a wrench. Disconnect the stabilizer bar link using a wrench. Loosen the two lower bolts on the strut assembly with a socket and ratchet but do not remove them. Remove the cotter pin from the tie-rod end using the pliers.
4Remove the castellated nut with a wrench. Separate the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle. Remove the top three bolts from the strut using a socket and ratchet. Access the bolts from inside the engine compartment on the wheel well. Remove the bottom bolts and take the strut from under the Previa.
5Place the spring compressor on the coil spring and tighten it enough that the pressure is taken off the spring seats. Remove the center nut from the strut shaft using a wrench. Remove the coil spring cap, coil spring and spring seats from the strut. Put the coil spring on the new strut along with the spring seats and cap.
6Install the center nut and tighten it with a wrench. Place the strut on the Previa and loosely install the two bottom bolts. Connect the top three bolts and tighten them with a socket and ratchet. Tighten the bottom bolts with a socket and ratchet. Connect the tie rod to the wheel knuckle. Install the castellated nut and tighten it with a socket and ratchet.
7Insert a new cotter pin in the tie-rod end and spread it open with the pliers. Connect the stabilizing bar link. Tighten the bolt with a wrench. Connect the brake hose bracket to the strut and tighten the nut with a wrench. Connect the ABS sensor if the Previa has antilock brakes.
8Put the brake rotor on the wheel assembly. Cut the wire tie securing the caliper using the pliers. Place the caliper in the mounting cradle and tighten the locking pins with a socket and ratchet. Install the wheel on the Previa. Tighten the lug nuts with a lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Previa. Lower the vehicle to the ground.

If you get a loaded strut with the spring and Mcpherson strut all assembled it's a matter of 3 or so nuts at the top (not the center large one up top) and removing the two nuts and bolts (large) on the hub assembly.

If you plan on changing the struts without the springs, then you must purchase or use a spring compressor to relieve pressure on the bearing cap of the loaded strut assembly.

You will have to have a wheel alignment performed which requires special machinery. You must do this so the front tires do not wear out prematurely.

You need tools, most important one, STRUT COMPRESSOR.

There are a few other things that could be wrong with it. Such as ball jionts, wheel bearings, and tie rod ends. although it is rare, it is not unheard of for bad struts to cause them to go bad. when you put them on go and have the van alligned. when they allign it they will tell you if any of the other parts are wore out or not.

Okay....here is the steps first....and then the directions on how to use the tools:

1. Raise and properly support the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Detach the shock absorber lower mount by removing the two bolts.
4. Remove the retainer nut, retainer, cushion and shock absorber.
5. Detach the cushion retainer from the shock absorber.
6. Compress the coil spring with a commercially available spring compressor.
7. Detach the stabilizer bar.
8. Support the upper suspension arm and steering knuckle securely.
9. Remove the cotter pin.
10. Loosen and remove the nut.
11. Using a ball joint removal tool, detach the lower ball joint from the lower control arm.
12. Loosen the suspension arm set bolt.
13. Remove the suspension arm set bolt nut.
14. Remove the nut from the strut bar front set bolt.
15. Pull out both set bolts.
16. Remove the lower suspension arm and coil spring. To install:
    
17. Installation is the reverse of removal. Note the following torque specifications:
    1. Strut bar front set bolt: 221 ft. lbs. (300 Nm)
    2. Lower suspension arm set bolt: 148 ft. lbs. (200 Nm)
    3. Lower ball joint nut: 80 ft. lbs. (110 Nm)
    4. Lug nuts: 83 ft. lbs. (110 Nm).

you will need a socket set , a pickle fork, a hammer, a spring compressor,and an alignment machine when your done changing the struts

Put the claws of the compressor on a lower spiral in the spring.

yes there is at autozone they have spring lifters that go between
the spring itself and they are cheap .