Struts 2007 Yaris

[cort21]

My struts are needing replaced on my 2007 base model Yaris, and I have a friend who said he would install them for me if I got a set of quick struts. I have ordered 2 different sets and in both cases my friend said he couldn't get them to thread completely, because the bolt at the top of the strut isn't long enough. I find it odd that I've ordered 2 sets from 2 different vendors and they both have this shorter bolt. The attached picture shows the difference between the old and new struts. Did I really receive faulty struts or are they just not being installed correctly?

[tmontague]

I'm assuming the one in the left is the new one that is too short?

If so then the issue is w/ installation. See the black piece on top Of the rubber mount? Remove the top nut and pull off that top back piece. Then install the strut and place that piece back on top of the strut tower and secure it with the nut.

Your friend is trying to install the strut without removing a piece that mounts on the other side of the strut tower so it is taking up all of the threads and leaving not enough.

[cort21]

That makes sense, I'll run that by him, thanks!

[Datsdana]

FYI, the top piece does come off. i tried with the allen key and pass through ratchet.... but the inside allen port just wants to strip out. my suggestion now that i've done it.

use an impact gun. the nut and bracket came off in less than a second

[cort21]

The struts were shipped with a warning label saying death could occur if the top cap was removed. Based on the input here, we realized the top cap did need to be removed, and the struts were installed and are working great. Thanks for the input!

[tmontague]

The warning is misleading as it pertain technically to the rubber mount/isolator as that is what holds the spring compressed. If you remove that one without a spring compressor then BAM you could get a spring to the face.

In this case the upper piece isn't holding the spring under tension so it is fine to remove