Strut install?

Black94Cobra · Mar 11, 2009

I searched for my answer, but nothing applies.
I am installing Bilstein struts from an 04 Cobra on my 94. I transferred the bumpstop, dust cover, and spacer, that goes on top of the bumpstop, under the dust cover.

My question is that the strut doesn't come far enough through the top to get the top bushing and nut on it. Am I doing something wrong here? It works without the spacer on the shaft, but I am thinking I need that. Any ideas?

Adam95GT · Mar 11, 2009

Black94Cobra said:
I searched for my answer, but nothing applies.
I am installing Bilstein struts from an 04 Cobra on my 94. I transferred the bumpstop, dust cover, and spacer, that goes on top of the bumpstop, under the dust cover.

My question is that the strut doesn't come far enough through the top to get the top bushing and nut on it. Am I doing something wrong here? It works without the spacer on the shaft, but I am thinking I need that. Any ideas?

Did you try to jack up the A arm to put a load on it????

Black94Cobra · Mar 11, 2009

Yes, i was lifting under the spring pocket until it started lifting the car off the jack stand

HISSIN50 · Mar 11, 2009

When you compare the old and new struts (uncompressed), are they the same length?

SVT32VDOHC · Mar 11, 2009

All 94-04 struts are the same length. Just put the 04's on complete and go. I bought 03-04Mach 1 (factory Tokicko's) from the dealer and put them on my 96 and they are a great fit and ride.

Black94Cobra · Mar 11, 2009

Yes they are the same length. How do I get the top bushings compressed enough to get nut and big washer thing on top of the strut. I retain the spacer on the strut shaft that looks like a small pipe right?

SVT32VDOHC · Mar 11, 2009

Black94Cobra said:
Yes they are the same length. How do I get the top bushings compressed enough to get nut and big washer thing on top of the strut. I retain the spacer on the strut shaft that looks like a small pipe right?

Yes, you keep that tall spacers around the strut rod.

If the struts are installed fully, you need to get the weight of the car down on the strut. They need to be compressed more. When you do this, you'll see the threaded part of the shaft come through the rubber bushing, then put your big washer and nut on. Don't use an impact to tighten it down. You can start it with an impact, but it's best to tigthen it down with a Gearwrench and a flat head screw driver.

Sometimes those buts just spin in place, so tightening with an impact gun can burn up the seals if it spins too long in one spot.

Black94Cobra · Mar 11, 2009

Ok, so I will get everything buttoned up on the bottom of the strut, get the brake and wheel back on, lower the car, and the shaft will come through to tighten the nut on top, right?

SVT32VDOHC · Mar 11, 2009

Black94Cobra said:
Ok, so I will get everything buttoned up on the bottom of the strut, get the brake and wheel back on, lower the car, and the shaft will come through to tighten the nut on top, right?

Yes. Bolt the strut to the spindle, get the shaft through the hole in the strut tower, then put your wheel/tire back on, set the car down, put that top nut on.

Tom95gt · Mar 11, 2009

Bilsteins have internal bumpstops if I'm correct. Take out the stock bumpstop, which I think is the one you're referring too, and it should come right through.

Black94Cobra · Mar 11, 2009

I'll try taking out the stock bumpstop. The strut still is not coming through enough with the weight of the car, so I am up for trying something else

sage2k · Mar 11, 2009

Tom95gt said:
Bilsteins have internal bumpstops if I'm correct. Take out the stock bumpstop, which I think is the one you're referring too, and it should come right through.

Do this. I installed 04 cobra struts and had to do that.
Also, the 04 cobra dust cover wouldnt fit for me. You have to get some from maximummotorsports.

95 Black Mamba · Mar 11, 2009

i just intsalled my a-arms spring's and struts lastnight and had the same problem .what i did was took a longer bolt (like 3in) and stuck it through the plate and hole and pulled the strut up that way until i could get the nut's started on the strut's work good..........dont know if yours are different but i had 2 studs and one bolt that holds the struts on

Black94Cobra · Mar 11, 2009

I got one side done. I was having a serious brainfart! I was trying to put the spacer underneath the dust shield. That was not giving me enough thread to get through the cc plate. Once I swapped the the dust shield then the spacer, it went right through.

Thanks for the tips everybody. I guess I shouldn't walk away from a project I am in the middle of, I forget little details!

Strut install?

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