Tried to install springs this past wkend. Got the tire off, lower control arm to end link nut off, strut fork bolt off, top three strut nuts off but when i tried to move the strut it wouldn't budge.The upper A arm bolt wouldn't back all the way out due to he strut being in the way and not budging. I had the car jacked up on the side i was working on, not the center front. Would that have made a difference? Thanks





Fork wouldn't slide forward




Couldn't get the bolt backed out of the top of the A arm here because the strut wouldn't move.

 

IIRC from where you are remove the endlink shaft from the LCA, push down on the wheel to lower the LCA a little and take a rubber mallet or hammer and knock the fork towards the inside of the car. It should release easily and have enough room to slide over to give you clearance to get it off the LCA for removal.

 

Put one nut back on the top of the strut and hit with a rubber mallet.

 

Thanks for the responses! So the end link bolt pictured below. I need to find a way to push that bolt out of the control arm. The how to video I watched was kinda vague on that part. I just took the nut off. Gonna get a rubber mallet and try to hammer the strut around so I can get that upper A arm bolt backed all the way out.

 

Upon further investigation I found another video (350z) showing them pushing that end link all the way out. Now I'm just wondering if jacking the car up on one side instead of the entire front center is putting any unbalanced pressure or stress on anything making this more difficult.

 

Dude just use a jack to lift the arm up a bit to take pressure off the endlink bolt, get a piece of wood to put on the end of the bolt and just hammer it out. A little PB Blaster wouldn't hurt either.

 

I know this is a late reply but for future reference, undo the cotter pin on the lower ball joint then the nut. Now you'll be able to take out the shock. Use a jack under the ball joint to create pressure if needed. Problem solved.

 

Were you able to get this job done? I had same issue last weekend when I lowered mine.
I ended up using a second small jack to raise the lca to release pressure off the end link bolt. Then It just slid right out. Might be a little different because I have the X model.

 

Totally unnecessary but thanks for offering another way of addressing this issue..

 

Well it worked for me when I changed mine. So I'm happy.

 

Cool, that's all that matters.

 

Easiest way to do it is unbolt the uca joint from the spindle while the entire front is off the ground. No need to unbolt the uca from the chassis or the end links.

 

Thanks all, Its been so damn hot around here that I haven't attempted a 2nd try just yet. Supposed to be cooler this week so gonna give it a try.