Changing The Struts

 I going to be changing the struts(one is bent) and my u-joints ,my question is should I remove the half shafts before doing the struts?I going to remove them when I do the u-joints I just don't know if they need to be in to add any support when doing the struts.

When I dropped my differential to replace the 1/2 shafts and the bushings in the strut rods I took a block of 3/4" wood and put it in under the trailing arms in the frame where the pivot bolt is. That supported them pretty good so they didn't hang down too low while I had everything out.

I got the struts today and wouldn't ya know it started to rain.Looking at the new strutrod I cann't see how one could get bent .But it did.Hopefully this weekend will be better weather wise and I can get it done.                    Rick

Good Luck with that, Rich

can you say tow truck.I bet thats how it got bent. 

 As usual something came up and I didn't get to work on my car.I am planing to take it up to the base auto hobbyshop tomorrow(if nothing come up). The car has only been towed on a flat bed and that has only been 3 times.                                        Rick

Poor quality alignment shops bend the struts to get the car into alignment.  Either they don't know how to adjust them, or something is so worn that they can't get it right.  In either case, bending is unacceptable.

Larry

Rich, you mentioned "Base"  are you in the Military??

I am retired Air Force 23 yrs.              Ricktinbender2010-08-04 13:58:37

I didn't know you were Air Force, Rick! My daughter married a guy in the Air Force. He was stationed at Aviano in Italy but they just moved to Tucson, Arizona (whatever base that is). HOPE YOU GET IT ALL TOGETHER SOON! Barry