Stupid Issue Stock Suspension

[Silver Wagon]

i am redoing my suspension, all factory spec stuff. i put new control arms on and went to put the rebuilt strut assembly on and it won't fit. the control arm doesn't drop down far enough to get the ball joint in the strut housing. i am using stock springs. i tried to compress the springs but the spring compressors i have just make it so i can't push the strut up because the compressors hit the body. i really don't want to drop the control arm on the passenger side as we all know how much of a pain it is.

has anyone else run into this?

[MR 325]

Sometimes it's a little more difficult with stock stuff, you're right.

Just curious, do you have the sway bar link connected to the control arm already? If so removing that would help.

[Silver Wagon]

forgot to mention the swaybar links are disconnected and its still a PITA. didn't have any issues taking them out with the arms in place. guess its an old vs. new thing.

[e30_302]

Put a jack under the brake rotor so you can raise the strut housing? Stand on the control arm? Mount the arm to the strut first then jack the inside ball joint into the body? Just talking out loud.

[Silver Wagon]

i tried the jack. because of the angle of the strut housing it kept slipping off. and just in general too sketchy. guess i am going to either buy lowering springs or drop the arms, again.

[AndrewBird]

Loosening the nut on the inner ball joint and allowing it to drop might give you enough clearance without removing the control arm completely.

[Silver Wagon]

by the looks of it i will have to drop the arm out completely. the housing sits in line to where it would be if it were mounted to the arm. if that makes sense.

but after looking at stuff i might just cut a coil off the front springs. that should give me the clearance i need and drop the front a touch to give it less 4X4 stance without going to new springs. i seriously would rather cut my springs then deal with the passenger side ball joint nut again. i hate it that much.