I removed strut assembly (strut and spring) on passenger side no problem, and replaced it with a quick strut.

However on driver side (I suspect strut assembly completely worn out), I removed all the bolts, however can't pull it out. It seems like the strut assembly expanded after I removed bottom bolt so that there is no clearance on top or bottom. I even tried pushing down on control arm for more clearance, but still not enough clearance.

Anyways is this common? Why would it happen? Didn't happen on passenger side, and all the videos I watched.

 

Hopefully you have both front wheels jacked up at the same time. If you try doing this jacking one wheel up at a time you will have issues such as you describe.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Yes both wheels jacked up. Any other idea why?

 

Did you hit it with a small sledge?

 

Is compressing the spring while it's still on the car an option?????? Without seeing it difficult to say.

 

I tried kicking the strut assembly inside to get it loose. Didn't use a hammer no.

You know, NORMALLY, when you remove last bolt strut assembly kinda DROPS and you have to catch it? Well mine didn't fall at all, it seems like it just expanded.

Is this even possible for strut assembly to expand (lengthen)?

 

That's what I'm thinking of doing tomorrow

 

How about loosening the bottom bolts of the strut assembly you already installed. Or removing that Quickstrut all together. Then you may be able to remove the stuck strut.

 

No I would not expect the strut assembly to lengthen. More likely the axle or swaybar assembly shifted on you so you do not have room. Removing the installed quick strut may help.

 

Also make sure the new strut and spring assembly are the same size as the ones you removed. Possible you got the wrong size Quickstruts?

 

This is what happened then. Only explanation possible.

I'm guessing just play with brake rotor to shift it around?

 

No I think I was unclear. Passenger side removed old installed new, all good. Only driver side having problem removing old strut assembly.

 

Yes you are right once you take the weight of the car off of the spring it will lengthen.

What I'm saying is remove the assembly you already installed and then try and remove the stuck one. The rotor and axle assembly does allow some maneuvering you could try that. Get a good nights sleep the answer will become clear in the morning.

 

Got it. I have to remove new quick strut anyways cuz I forgot to put old rubber isolator at the top of quick strut.

Thank you so much! Good night.

 

Good Luck...

 

Both wheels have to be off the ground.be careful because i bet you are tearing up the axle boot with the bottom of the strut and also if your pushing the control arm down that far you may just pop your axle out.

 

Make sure you are moving the brake rotor assembly toward the front of the vehicle and not toward the rear. +1 on the tearing of the boot. The struts should easily drop out like you stated earlier. You should not have to force anything. And do not use a hammer.

 

I'll be doing my struts soon so I'm trying to pre-learn something here...

Should one remove both left and right, then install new left & right? (Instead of Remove & replace Left, then Remove & Replace right?)

 

As long as you have both sides of the vehicle jacked up. The sequence should not matter. This is usually a pretty straightforward job.

Not sure why OP is having problems but we will find out in time. One more thing for the OP the upper spring mount has a small notch on it. That notch should face out toward the side of the vehicle.

 

If you have difficulty bringing ur control arm and sway bar down enough to give you the clearance you need then you need to unbolt the bottom strut bolts on the opposite side of the car, this will drop your sway bar and ur control arms will both drop giving u all the clearance you need.

 

Wish I had read this before.

I finally got the strut assembly out. The strut was so blow out that it fell apart as I was taking strut assembly out.

I pried out the strut assembly but popped out my axle in the process. Looking back, should have used spring compressor.

I had to change axle anyways (outer cv joint boot ripped) so not the end of the world. Just the problem of having to tow my car to the garage now.

At least the two quick struts are installed now lol.

 

Sometimes you can get away with removing the end link too

 

If theyre oem end links you will strip or break them. Safer to not touch them at all unless replacing aswell.

 

I've never heard of that happening before. So basically the piston extended completely out of the strut housing and the spring assembly fell off? That must have been a completely toasted strut. The force of the spring could have done some damage. Glad you got it out OK.

 

Hi.
I saw your thread about your installation of the quick struts.
What brand of quick struts did you install?
I was contemplating replacing mine with the Monroe quick struts, but some people have stated they're a bit too soft.
Which model Maxima did you install these on? Was it for a 2001 Maxima, as your name implies?

I have a 2000 MaximaSE and would prefer to save some money and replace the struts myself but don't want to deal with spring compression and other headaches associated with replacing just the strut itself.
Thanks in advance.


Btw, how has the ride been since replacing with the quick struts?
-vbnyc