Help !! I am putting KYB GR-2 struts and lowering springs on my 99 SE and need to know how to cut the bump stops on the OE dust boots and how much to cut off.

 

Please, someone give me some help. This is the first time I have done struts. I have done just about every thing else. But always paid to have struts put on. This time I want to do it myself and want to do it right. Please give me some help.

 

I will also be putting on some GR-2s next week.

Notice in advance: replacing the struts will require an alignment job to get the camber just right again.

This is how it is done:

1. crack loose lug nuts while car is on the ground...just crack them loose.
2. jack up front end and place on jack stands.
3. remove wheels.
4. crack loose the bolts (2) for the struts/steering knuckle. These are pretty tight.
5. crack loose the strut mount bolts on top (3). DO NOT CRACK LOOSE THE NUT IN THE CENTER.
6. undo all the loosened bolts (5).
7. removed the strut. This may require prying with a screwdriver to seperate the steering knuckle from the strut.
8. mark spring, strut body, and upper spring perch so you know how they all line up. Also mark which end of the spring is the top.
9. attach a strut spring compressor properly. This can be rented at autozone for free.
10. compress the spring enough that it wiggles around so you know there is no pressure on the strut mount.
11. crack loose the nut on the strut mount.
12. disassemble, noting how everything goes back together.
13. inspect all parts for wear and damage
14. reassemble parts onto new strut and make sure the strut body, spring, and upper spring perch line up. and that the top of the spring is up. Dont forget the boot if you are replacing an old one.
15. Tighten the strut nut.
16. uncompress the spring slowly making sure it comes together just right.
17. insert the struct back into the wheel well and loosely bolt the top struct mount nuts.
18. insert the bolts for the strut/steering knuckles. this may requiring using a screwdriver to help line the bolt holes.
19. torque all bolts to the proper amount beginning with the top mount bolts.
20. put wheel back on and torque lug nuts.
21. It may be smart to do one wheel at a time so that in case you can use the other as a reference if you get confused.

Hopefully, I did not leave out any critical steps.

 

Thanks, I got all that. I am also putting on lowering springs too and I need to know how to cut off the bump stops and how much to take off. I hope someone can help.

 

Keep bumping this up.
I know there are some on here that know tons about suspensions.
I don't, but I have talked to quite a few that know their stuff.
Hopefully you can get phenryiv1 to post and tell you how.
He has really good advise.

 

umm cutting the bumpstops is pretty easy, just get a utility blade and cut off about 70% of it and you'll be fine.

 

70% seems like an awful lot.