Strut spring install hack.

Finally getting ready to do my shocks & front struts this coming weekend (I think?) 10/30/21 and I saw this video posted on YouTube that I can’t seem to get posted on here where the guy losses the LCA and drops it down to relieve the spring pressure with a floor Jack under the LCA (while leaving the nut in top threaded on a few turns so the entire strut assembly doesn’t go threw my skull and then when puting the new strut assembly in it shows him jacking up the LCA with a floor Jack with the strut bolted in on the bottom until it’s fully compressed (held up by the Jack obviously) and then tightening down the upper nut above the shock, then tightening the two bolts that hold the LCA up and from what he says it’s safer than using a crappy spring compressor that could fail and well…. kill you!! So I’m just wondering if any of you have tried this system before and what y’all think?? I apreciatte the responses. Cheers!!

 

I tried it to put my coils together and it didn’t work for me.

That said @ohcaltexscar used this process not long ago. He might have some tips.

I will be trying again, but with more planning next time and maybe a friend.

 

Why didn’t it work for you to put back together? Just curious?? Thx

 

Following. To this point I have talked myself out of installing the coils with this method and decided to dish out some extra $ to get the coils installed. Would love to hear others' experiences.

 

I was unable to get the shaft lined up and into the top hat. I was putting together Ironman Foam cell pros, and since they don’t have nitrogen, if it was off center and hit the top it would depress some. I think with good planning or help it would have worked.

 

Worked perfectly for me with my Eibachs.

 

Great!! Thank you!! I’m going to attempt this. Any pointers I may need to know? Thx again.

 

Did you use a floor jack to lift the LCA? Curious if the stock jack is tall enough... thinking not.

 

Be sure to mark your alignment. And I found it easier to use an index mark so as I compressed the spring slowly it was easy to keep things lined up.

Notice the silver marks near the top

 

I have a 3 ton floor Jack myself which I’m thinking should do the trick? Right?? I just don’t feel like paying Firestone $140.00 to do 15 minutes of work PLUS I kinda like to learn new tricks for next time.

 

Yes....and I used a floor jack

 

Did you have to get an alignment afterwards orrrr?? If I make all the marks than it should be fine right or am I missing something?? Thx again

 

You're gonna want to at least get it checked. Anytime you mess with something suspension wise it can change things. Since you mentioned Firestone, they offer the lifetime alignments for 180 I think. I’ve got it and have used it several times. I did get mine close and told them what I wanted though. I have SPC UCAs, as well. They didn’t mess with those, I did before I took it in.

 

Cool. Thx. I’ll be paying the $180.00 so I can save myself the $$ next time around. Thx very much!!

 

Keep checking their site, they usually offer 20 or 40 off lifetime alignments. Or if you’re prior military I think they give a discount as well.

 

I’ll definitely look for that 20/40 off as I’m not military. Thx again. Much apreciatted

 

Nope. I was precise on the markings and made sure the cams were set perfectly back to the marks. Those cams are where the alignment adjustments are made. So, assuming your alignment was good to begin with then setting it back to that is all that's needed.

 

Do you have to make a purchase (tires) to be eligible for lifetime alignments? Seems like a great deal and wish I knew about it earlier!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/cam-bolt-question-now-with-answers-and-writeup.502084/

 

Nope, or should not anyway. YMMV but they have a $20 off coupon now- https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/offers/offer-detail/alignment-21-9