Broken Rear Strut mount... Updated

[TilliamWe]

1995 Ford Escort LX 2dr hatchback. Heard something fall off the car yesterday on my way to work, and it turns out it was the middle section of the left rear coil-over strut mount pad. So now, my coil spring is still in place, but the strut is loose in the top of it. The pad is available for about $45 at more than 1 auto parts store. So that's no problem. My question is this:

Now that the strut and the coil aren't connected, how can I safely get the coil out of the car? It looks like getting a spring compressor on it while it's bolted in the car will be very difficult. Is there a way to jack up the car, support the lower control arm/knuckle, and let it all down, without the spring flying out and hitting me in the face?

Thanks.

 

[rbh]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Secure a chain through/around it??

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

I have thought about that, I am just worried about it slipping and killing me!

 

[888]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

rent a spring compressor from local parts store or use heavy duty rachet strap

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

With the top already separated, all the tension is off.
And in all honesty, I have installed new strut hats on rear struts just by pushing down (by hand) on the hat/spring while installing the nut, so you may not need a spring compressor. The rear coils on most cars usually have far less spring pressure than the fronts, but YMMV...

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Rogers, the spring still has to be compressed some, because it's still got a mount below and above it, right? i know the strut isn't bolted to the top mount anymore, but the car is still resting on the spring. Are you saying that when I jack up the body, the rear suspension will lower enough to take all the pressure off the spring? If so, the job will be easy. I just want to be *really* sure!

I can't fit the spring compressor on the spring with it still "up in" the wheel well. The way they are meant to come out is as a complete unit with the strut, then you put them in a vise and attached the compressor.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

check rockauto out complete asemblys for 65 bones ....replace both and be done with it....fresh is always nice and less painfull....sometimes it's not worth the effort plus you will have spare parts lol's

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Very interesting indeed dolluper. The complete assemblies I had priced were $150+ ea at Autozone and the like. I'll check out my rt rear strut mount closely, if it's rusty, I probably should replace both.
Do you concur with rogers that the spring won't be under (deadly) pressure once I jack up the body and the suspension hangs?

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Rogers, the spring still has to be compressed some, because it's still got a mount below and above it, right? i know the strut isn't bolted to the top mount anymore, but the car is still resting on the spring. Are you saying that when I jack up the body, the rear suspension will lower enough to take all the pressure off the spring? If so, the job will be easy. I just want to be *really* sure!

I can't fit the spring compressor on the spring with it still "up in" the wheel well. The way they are meant to come out is as a complete unit with the strut, then you put them in a vise and attached the compressor.

Sent you a PM

What I should have clarified when I made my initial statement is the strut assembly will need to be out of the car to install the new hat. but once it is out, you should be able to compress the spring enough by hand to get the new hat on, and the nut started.

As Dolluper said, entire assemblies are short money for these cars, and given the year of the vehicle, there is a good chance that the struts are tired or dead anyway. Plus like I mentioned in the PM, I have seen several Escorts that have broken their rear coil springs (mine included), so it may not be a bad idea to replace the whole shooting match anyway.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

At the price dolluper says they are available, other than doing both sides, it's going to be silly not to change out both assemblies. The strut mount alone is $40 new! And yes, I am concerned that the other side will do the same thing (although I looked at the strut mount and it *looks* okay.).

I think what I'll do is get two complete assemblies, start ont he right side that isn't broken. When I have that assembly out, I'll see just how heavily the spring is compressed, and then I'll know if I can safely get the broken side out.

Thanks guys!

 

[The_Kid]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

If your going to get them through Rockauto, Google Rockauto discount code to find one that is current and get 5% off your order. Put the code in the "how did you hear about us" box. That should cover shipping costs.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

No I wouldn't concurr.....I personally would chain it before I would remove it....just to make it safe or sort of...springs are something not to take lightly....they still scare me even with pro tools

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

No I wouldn't concurr.....I personally would chain it before I would remove it....just to make it safe or sort of...springs are something not to take lightly....they still scare me even with pro tools

I agree, coil springs are to be respected. But in his case where the nut has pulled through the strut hat, he isn't dealing with a whole lot of pretension if any.

I guess what ever makes him comfy while doing this is best.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

.......they still scare me even with pro tools

Gee that makes me feel REAL great! hahaha

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

Re: Broken Rear Strut mount

I was able to get a MacPherson strut-type spring compressor on it while it was still on the car. Other than breaking both strut to knuckle bolts, it came out pretty easy. Got the mount installed and bolted down, and got the assembly back up in the car, with my wife's help. Just gotta get the strut to knucle bolts tightened up (after I put the baby to bed) in the dark, and I'll be all set.

Thanks for your help guys. I did not go the route of replaing both assemblies, as the mount on the right looks fine. It was $150 versus the $54 I spent for the mount and the compressor. On a $1200 car, that's a big difference!

Thanks.