TRD Strut Install

[mannycheckers]

Thanks for the tips yall. Now that I had a day away from the car and I'm not as frustrated, I'll give it another go with some vise grips. Also after talking with my buddy, he said to jack up the lower control arm to compress the spring slightly before trying to loosen the nut.

[tmontague]

Originally Posted by mannycheckers

Thanks for the tips yall. Now that I had a day away from the car and I'm not as frustrated, I'll give it another go with some vise grips. Also after talking with my buddy, he said to jack up the lower control arm to compress the spring slightly before trying to loosen the nut.

that is not a bad idea just be careful. I have done this a lot when torquing down suspension bushings where the car needs to be at normal ride height to do. I just use a jack under the ball joint to do this.

Keep in mind you generally will slightly bend your heat shield when doing this and if you don't bend it back you will get a terrible scrape noise upon your first test drive that will scare the crap out of you.

[mannycheckers]

The deed is done. I finally got the front struts installed! I ended up picking up a Bauer 1/2 inch impact wrench from Harbor Freight because I already have the batteries, and it worked like a charm! I appreciate all of the advice from you guys, and couldn't have done it without your help. The car handles beautifully--stiffer but not bone rattling. These are excellent. Attached are the pics of the spoiler, the split bolt on the strut, and the car as it sits now.

Next up, I'm going to get new wheels and tires (thinking some Enkei RPF1s with 205/50R15 Continental Extreme Contacts). Also on my ever expanding to do list is power mirrors, foglights, DC exhaust header, Tanabe Medallion exhaust, TRD intake filter, vinyl wrap roof, sound deadening, auto dim rearview mirror, and a new head unit with backup camera. I'll try to keep you guys updated as I progress.