Hey all,

I'm going to change the strut mount retainers on my car. As in the c shaped piece with the three studs. Can I simply remove the nuts and swap this piece out?

I have the car on the ground, strut mount secured with a turnbuckle, and am leaving the nut that secures the strut to the strut mount. *Looks like I will also put a jackstand or jack under the control arm.

Thanks for the help.

*edit after reading more threads

 

The weight of the car on the suspension will slam the strut toward the inside (toward engine). Getting some weight off the suspension allows you to move strut by hand.

You will need a wheel alignment when this is all done.

 

Will do! Thanks

 

Also if you remove the strut top nut then make sure the A-arm is supported, or else the A-arm and springs are going to explode downward.

@i88aGT , personally I like to jack up the car, remove the wheel, and then put a floor jack under the A arm. This allows me to raise and lower the strut in a controlled way with lots of room to work.

 

It worked! Thank you for the help.
I used two jacks, one to lift the car so the wheels were off the ground, another to support the control arm. And of course a jack stand for safety.
Undid the top three nuts. Left the big strut tower nut alone.
I had the mount all traced in position with a china marker, but it really didn't move.
One of the studs was stripped-- my reason for changing. Split the nut to deal with that.
I used Spohn retainers and they worked out fine. They look nice and shiny from the top. From beneath it's kinda...meh. Because the studs are welded to the ring and it's a little unsightly. But I don't think many ppl will be looking up into the fenderwell.
Off to the alignment shop tomorrow.
On a side note: I'm relieved I got a good alignment guy again. He's going to recheck it for me now that I swapped parts.
I really took for granted that early on I had 2 very professional alignment ppl. I thought getting a perfect alignment everytime quickly was normal. It wasn't until they retired and I went thru a string of noobs that I learned that's not the case. I know it's a dying art, and finding professionals with old shop books, who do things old school, and take pride in their work is next to impossible... But thank goodness ppl like that still exist-- and that this forum is here-- because honestly I couldn't own and maintain this car otherwise.

 

If you're interested, Post #13 has alignment specs that I think are big improvement from stock

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...ml#post6308489