So I baught new 2 shocks for the rear, Monroe quickstuts. Both rear shocks are supposed to be the same ( same part # 181 293 monroe) and yet the one on the driver's side does not fit as if the mounting bracket was off set by an inch or two so I can't get the bolts from the bracket in the trunk holes...

Can it be my torsion beam that has been kinda of twisted with the years? or the schock mounting bracket that was not properly fixed on the quickstruts? Even my old schocks do not fit if I change them from passenger to driver's side...
should I just get a spring compressor and re-arrange the mounting bracket so it fits???
someone help please?!

 

The 2 rear struts are identical so I don't know why you have this problem. Do you know if the car was ever in an accident?

 

i think all you need to do is compress the spring and rearrange the mounting bracket so it fits...post a pic so we can help you better

 

you have a 96 right?. the 95 and 96 and possibly others use the monroe PN
171293 for the rears. . thats what I put on my 95 a few years ago and rock auto is still showing that as the correct part for 95 and 96

 

http://www.kyb.com/service/installat...ationtip04.php

Read link for KYB. This will illustrate the alignment of top studs and bottom bolt center lines.

 

Align and bolt down the top first, then the bottom.

 

thanks guys!! and indeed a car struck me on the rear passenger side next to my wheel a couple months ago, nothing too serious on the outside but I think this is why my schock doesn't fit well as the impact must have slightly twisted the shock mount or something...
As for the monroe part #, on the 1996 rear you can put either the 181 293 and the 171 293 ( a bit more expensive).
I think I'll just compress the coil and re-arrange the bracket.
Thanks everyone for your helpfull replys, god bless this forum!

 

Turn the upper mount so that the studs are in line with the lower bolt hole.
You may have to compress the spring slightly to do this.

Completely normal, there's nothing wrong with your car or the quick strut.

 

when we, ( djfrestyl and i ) did my struts we compressed them all before mounting back in. thats the way your supposed to put them in with a turn as njmax stated.