The installation instructions for my rear illuminas explicitly say not to tigheten the top nut more than 49 ft-lbs to avoid damaging the adjustment mechanism. Question: is this before the spring is released (while still compressed and exerting no force) or after??

Also, should the upper seat be perfectly horizontal or slightly tilted with respect to the strut? Thanks in advance...

 

Tighten the nut until it's snug, don't crank it down. You can do that with the sping tension on or off. Then put the locking nut on top and give it a slight tug. The upper perch may be tilted slightly. Just put the shock assembly into the car and tighten up the 2 nuts on the mount. Be carefull not to over tighten them or you'll snap the studs right off. Just give them a nice snug.

EDIT: Make sure the studs on the mount are in line with the lower bolt hole on the shock. It will all line up in the car nicely if it's assembled that way.

 

wouldn't "snug" be different depending on whether the spring is compressed or not? how much thread should be showing above the nut... i have about an inch or more, does this sound ok?

 

You'll feel the nut stop turning when it's "snug". An inch or more thread showing sounds right.

 

got it, thanks for your help. now for the test drive...