changing struts......

well I had time to change my passengerside strut before the family came over.
It could not have gone any better. First that cheap-o spring compressor works great. I put a few drops of bicycle chain oil and I had no issues at all. Didn't make a noise or even felt like it was going to be too hard to turn the nut.
Only thing is I had to remove the unit because no matter how hard I aligned the top plate with the bottom bushing it still came out askewed. I just compressed the coil again and loosen the center nut. Then when I reinstalled the unit I was able to spin the strut until it aligned and then I just tighten the center nut afterwards.
I'll get to the driverside tomorrow. As for picks...well, I can not find my memory card....ugh!

 

OK got the second strut on this morning. Looked like it was going to rain on me so I didn't mess around. again the samething happened to me with getting the top plate lined up with the bottom mount. This time however, I was not able to wiggle it around by loosening the center nut. Had to compress the spring set it try it then compress it reset it try it again. after the 5th time I had it perfect.
Took it for a long ride to my storage unit and with the truck loaded down with my BMW motorcycle and empty for the trip back the truck rode great!!!!

 

OK, found a camera and took a couple of pics. First time posting a pic on this website so here goes nothing.

 

Niiice !!! Good job Terry !!!

 

Thanks Doug.....My next project of course is the leaf spring. The bed cap is up for sale and hopefully I'll get what I'm asking for and then I can ditch my Over leaf.

 

I would put a shim under the edge of that inverted spring. It will chew into the leaf above it.
Looks great otherwise!

 

exactly! But I'm just going to replace the AAL with Doug's set-up. It's a very good set up, He is after all the grandfather of the Ranger Taco leaf mod! LOL