URGENT: Front strut replacement problems
 

Background: Got my Tokico Blues in on thursday, and I went to install them today, and the rears went on really easy, but I can't get anywhere on the fronts. I have the caliper and caliper mounting bracket off, but after that, I don't know what to do. I have a Chiltons, but its useless. Tried searching, but couldn't find detailed info on what i needed to do, and what tools I need.

First question: What do I actually need to remove to change the strut cartridge? The Chiltons says i need to remove the disc and dust shield, and the haynes does as well, I think, but I read somewhere that it isn't necessary.

Second: What tool do I use to undo the mounting nut buried in the black plastic upper strut mount?

Second question first: DON'T remove that nut! Everything is under pressure from the coil springs. However, I have read that some people have loosened the nut while the struts are still on the car; makes it easier to get it off later.

First question: There are four nuts at the top, under the hood. You've probably already found those. Before removing, make a note of where everything lines up (your manual states this). On the bottom, there are two nuts that I believe you need to get at from underneath the suspension arm.

After you get the strut assembly off the car, you'll need spring compressors to take the assembly apart. Or, you can take the whole thing to your friendly neighborhood mechanic and let him do it.

That's where I am in the process, while I wait for a hardware package from Tokico. I bought my Blues slightly used, and did not have the correct nuts & spacers. The folks at Tokico hooked me up, even though I never purchased anything from them!

Great "customer service" in my book.

check here: https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=149851

pretty much hit it right there. i did this a couple weekends ago. 4 bolts on top, 2 bolts on the bottom, take off the brake caliper, and pull the whole thing out to the side. then compress the spring and take off the top nut. wasnt very hard after we figured it out. if your still having problems, let me know and ill try to help.

How hard was getting the top nut off after the assembly was out, and the spring was compressed, and what tools do i need to do that?

You may need air tools to get that top strut insert nut off (at least I did). There may be a special tool out there that will keep the strut tube from spinning but I haven't seen it.

I used an impact on the top nut to loosen it first, then pulled the 4 nuts, removed the caliper, loosened the big flat nut on the cartridge, then swung it all out of the car, compressed the spring, and swapped the new struts and springs on.

Ok, so now that I have the two lower strut mounting nuts off, i can't get the strut out. It rotates a little, but won't move up or down. any suggestions? I'm not supposed to compress the spring before I take the strut out of the car, am I?

Ok, got the strut assembly out, but now I can't get the upper retaining nut off. Will an offset end wrench work, and is it a 20mm?

You're now at the point where you have to compress the spring. Once that's done, the air tools come in - if you don't have air tools, you may need to take it to a shop in order to loosen the nut. I'm not sure why you are asking what size nut it is - try your wrenches until one fit's - it's mute anyway, chances are the nut will spin on you without loosening. If you plan to toss the old strut inserts, you may be able to grab on to the tube with a vise grip and loosen the nut (mind you, I couldn't get this method to work) - I had to use air tools (impact) to get that nut off. Good luck.