Help! Front shock problem

[don911]

I'm trying to change the front shocks on my 87. It's been lowered and has 22mm torsion bars. I removed the top nut and tried to rotate the strut assy out so I could remove the dust cover and insert. I could not get the strut to rotate enough to clear the wheel well. Is this because my car is lower or am I doing something wrong. My next move is to either remove the lower ball joint pin or the tie rod end. I don't know which is easier, tho I'll need to get a removal tool for the tie rod end. Any suggestions to get more rotation out of the stut? Has anyone had a similar problem changing shocks?

Thanks, Don
87 coupe

[Clark Griswald]

Just compress the strut a bit, then swing it out. If you have gas charged shocks it may take a little muscle, but not much.

The tie rod should not limit you (you may have to turn the steering wheel to push it out). A more likely limiter would be the soft brake lines.


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Chuck Moreland - '86 Cab, '77 Targa, Family Truckster

[This message has been edited by Clark Griswald (edited 06-07-2001).]

[don911]

I compressed the shock all the way down. The problem wasn't that the shock/strut assy was too tall, rather the strut assy just would not rotate any more. I tried to turn the strut to give me the most brake line but the brake line could be the problem. Are some brake lines longer than others. Can the caliper be removed without opening up the brake line?