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Posted on Aug 29, 2008
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Strut replacement is there a special coil compresser to change struts on an `03 4runner?

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  • paul combest Aug 30, 2008

    I shoulda been more thorough. I've attempted to replace them with the parts store spring compressor. Problem- you CANNOT install them on opposing sides of each other. There is not enough room. If you install the compressors where you can, the spring gets cocked. I wonder how the dealer does it. Specialty compressor? Do the take more stuff apart to access the spring? Thanks for the help.

  • paul combest Aug 30, 2008

    Hi again. Yes, on the vehicle compression. I may go give her another whack and try to be more patient. Or, call the dealer and see if they'll give me some knowledge. Ha, right! May end up forkin over 200 bucks to have them put in. Oh well, thanks for the help!!

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  • Master 1,586 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 29, 2008
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Yes - you can buy them at an auto parts store. Ask for "spring compressors". You can use them with a ratchet, but it's very tedious, and is much quicker and easier with air tools. Be absolutely sure you follow the recommendations and cautions on the box - you can get hurt or killed if you use them wrong and they let go when the spring is compressed. There's a LOT of energy pent up in the springs when they're compressed.

  • Anonymous Aug 30, 2008

    Gotcha - sorry about the misunderstanding (hope that didn't come across as condescending - wasn't meant that way). Anyhow, any of that is possible. I've had to place compressors less than 180 degrees apart before, and it's a little nerve wracking, but it can be successfully done that way if you make absolutely sure that the hooks of the compressors are firmly seated on the coils, and that you go very slowly (I did one full revolution on each compressor at a time, so there was a LOT of back and forth between the compressors) but that helped keep them compressing at the same rate. All the same, no one else was allowed in the garage while I was doing it, just in case it let go.

    It's very possible the dealer has a special rig to do these - they get lots of specialty tools that you and I won't normally have access to. Or as you said, they may take more parts off to get at it better.

    Just so I'm clear though - are you attempting to compress the springs on the vehicle, or have you removed the strut/spring combination to compress them on a workbench?

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you can take the strut cartridge from the top,without disassembling spring and knuckle,there are there are 3 15 mm bolt on strut 9need to be torqued to 24 LB FEET) then you need special tool to take the strut mount and cover out ,(it is 24 mm bolt that you have to put #50 torx bit in the center to keep strut rod from tuning NEED 59 LB FEET of torque)

,then you take the bumper,mount and the boot out to put the special tool to keep the strut cartridge in place or it will shift side way ,and you have to tow the car to shop to get it done!!!,after that you use special tool to loosen the cartridge cover (NEED 82 LB FEET WHEN PUT BACK)take the strut out,suck the oil with the hand pump out,and put 50CC back,as it needed to help cool down the strut,( when you put new strut in the oil level should cover half of the strut no more) ,and reverse the process after that,

this is the tool you need,
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You have to remove the struts from the car. Place the struts on a compression tower to relief pressure from spring. Once spring is compressed take of the top bolt on the strut which holds on the strut mount. After strut mount nut is off, loosen the springs tension and replace it with the new coil spring you are planning one using. Tighten the spring with mount back on and tighten bolt. then reinstall on car.
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I would not suggest doing this unless you have a wall wounted strut machine...super dangerous.but if you want they have quick struts with new strut, coil ,and top plate.
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1992 Toyota Celica is not equipped with front "shocks". This vehicle is equipped with front wheel drive and independent MacPherson strut front suspension. Any repairs made to this system requires the removal of the entire strut assembly, which includes the strut, the coil spring and upper strut bearing assembly.

Replacement of any of the parts of the strut assembly requires the use of specialized equipment designed to compress and hold the coil spring to relieve the tension on the strut and upper bearing assembly.



12_4_2011_9_36_51_pm.gif
Any attempt to disassemble the strut assembly without the proper equipment for compressing and securely holding the coil spring can result in SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH.
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My olsdmobile aroua needs shocks. about what is the cost on shocks installed? Jim Fields
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How do I compress the front strut enough to get the nut on when replacing a 1997 Chrysler cirrus front strut?
One needs a special tool called a 'spring compressor' to compress the front strut spring enough to remove the nut on the strut. Very dangerous without the tool. Must use the spring compressor to service the strut assembly, or get a loaded strut/spring assembly to replace old strut assembly.

Good luck on this.
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Oct 28, 2010 • 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
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How do i change my struts help
  1. Remove the strut assembly.
    CAUTION Do not attempt to remove the coil spring from the strut without first compressing the coil spring with the appropriate tool.
  2. Install a suitable spring compressor to the coil spring and compress the spring until the spring tension is relieved from the spring seat.
  3. Remove the thrust bearing retainer nut.
  4. Remove the thrust bearing, spring seat and dust shield.
  5. Remove the coil spring from the strut.
  6. Remove the jounce bumper from the strut.
  7. Replace the coil spring or the strut as needed.

To install:
  1. Reinstall the jounce bumper to the strut.
  2. Position the coil spring to the strut.
  3. Compress the coil spring if removed from the spring compressor.
  4. Reinstall the dust shield, spring seat and thrust bearing.
  5. The coil spring must seat in the notch of the spring seat.
  6. Reinstall the thrust bearing retainer nut. Tighten the nut to 44 ft. lbs. (59 Nm).
  7. Install the strut assembly into the
you will need a strut spring compressor which cost about 50 bucks
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Jan 20, 2010 • 2002 Mercury Cougar
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Struts have big springs around them and they need to be compressed to change the strut. These compressed spring store a large amount of energy and can be very dangerous when handled improperly. This requires special tools and skills. Also after changing struts a wheel alignment is necessary. Unless you are a very experienced do it yourselfer changing struts is probably not something you should try. Take it to a shop.
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Oct 20, 2009 • 2005 Honda Civic
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Raise and safely support the vehicle.
Remove the tire/wheel assembly.
Remove any brackets or sway bar endlinks that may be attached to the strut.
Remove upper strut mount bolts (NOT THE BIG ONE IN THE CENTER) Should be three bolts.
Remove two strut to knuckle bolts and remove the strut.
Using an external spring compressor tool compress the spring. FOLLOW THE TOOL MANUFACTURES INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. COIL SPRINGS HOLD A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL ENERGY AND CAN CAUSE VERY SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE IF THE TOOL IS USED INCORRECTLY.
Remove the top nut of the strut.
Remove the spring noting how the strut mount and other parts are oriented.
Remove the spring compressor.
Compress the new spring and install the new spring with the strut mount and other parts in the same orientation as it was removed.
Reinstall the top nut.
The rest is opposite of removal.
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Apr 20, 2009 • 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
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Replace front shock absorbers
My answer is not going to help you because not only do you need specialized equipment, but you will need special experience to perform this job.

You would be required to completely remove the entire front strut assembly from the car. It has to be safety set up on jacks. Once you have the strut assembly out of the car, special spring clamps are needed to compress the heavy spring that is part of the strut. These require very special clamps that compress the springs. If this is not done right, it can conceivably kill a person.

Once the spring has been removed, the strut it self must be removed from the strut housing using an impact wrench.

Once both sides are changed, the car must be realigned in the front end, otherwise the car will not steer or track properly.

Over all, this is a major job. These are not shock absorbers, as you would know them, but are called McPherson struts.


If you would like to contact me again about this or other problems, feel free to do so.
Bill
ASE Master Technician
Read full answer
Nov 25, 2008 • 1993 Toyota Corolla
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