Issue Installing OEM Struts...Help, Springs arent sitting the way they are suppose to be. Options

[rapid3642]

I have a 1994 ST model Celica. I replaced my 2 front struts for matience, and thank god i did, both of the front struts were bad. they did not come back up when being pressed down. Anyways, my problem is, is that when i replaced my struts and went out for a test drive and came back, i noticed the coil springs were not sitting right. on one side the top isnt in the groove and the bottom is bearly hanging over the edge, for some reason the springs are not sitting right i tried everything to get them in the groove but they are not wanting to go in, so i was wondering if the springs have to be turned or facing a certain way? i know i got the springs right side up, they are variable rate springs so i made sure to have them the right way. but does anyone know if the springs have to be turned or facing a certain way??? the springs deffinatly dont look right, and i would hate to drive over a bump then have my car ride weird.

This post has been edited by rapid3642: Oct 16, 2011 - 3:25 PM

[trdproven]

when you reinstall the springs uncompressed you align it into the groove already, then when you release the spring compressor, it should line up in the grooves, top side and bottom side. how are you installing your springs. i've done this many times.

[rapid3642]

Hey thanks, and yea i compress them before i undid the bolt for the strut, and i had the spring compressed when installing it back in, i guess we didn't pay much attention to the groove lining on the top, this was my first time installing springs, so it was a learning experience, thanks for the reply! and as far as what i was having problems with, yes the spring does need to be turned a certain way, when looking at the strut, there is a dimpal or a small indentation to where the end of the spring should be placed at, the reason for this, is so that the spring wont turn when pressure is released from the spring, very unlike but its just a feature they threw in there, by the way all of this information is just what i know from research, if im wrong then please inform me, its always good to know the right details lol. But hey thanks again for the reply!!!!

And by the way, what spring compressor are you using?? i used a pretty big one and was hard trying to get the spring to compress with the limited room i had.

This post has been edited by rapid3642: Oct 17, 2011 - 10:27 AM

[trdproven]

yea the bottom side is easier cus it has to sit there, then on the top mount center area you place it into the groove, then you slide the other spring section onto the spiral groove as you uncompress.

I just use the typical ones that look like two hooks on each side, that tighten.

[xrav22]

yea the bottom side is easier cus it has to sit there, then on the top mount center area you place it into the groove, then you slide the other spring section onto the spiral groove as you uncompress.

I just use the typical ones that look like two hooks on each side, that tighten.

The top one is harder by far. As you try to tighten the nut sometimes the top will turn a bit. Also make shre you mark the rubbers with whiteout before tighten and
you can make sure they don't spin. You should also check the little holes in the top and bottom of the strut to make sure they are in line.

be very careful!

This post has been edited by xrav22: Oct 21, 2011 - 1:46 PM

[trdproven]

I never had problems with a spring compressor but i could see why someone could because things move and things need to be aligned at the same time you are uncompressing.

[njccmd2002]

most mistakes come from the superior plate not being installed right.

There is the strut mount and the bearing and the upper cup. The upper cup, has a little arrow that is self explnatory that tells you that it should be facing in a certain direction. did you check on that?

[kamax]

ok, on topic here. the top plate have 3 little holes where the rubber notch line up to it. Do the 3 holes go outside or inside? I am confuse becasue my left side go outside and my right side goes inside? I follow the little notch on the bottom of the plastic when installing the spring and that's how it's face help!

[kamax]

nvm -_-;;

This post has been edited by kamax: Nov 4, 2011 - 5:28 PM