I spend 3 hours doing the right side strut replacement, most of the time was spent on find ing a way to compress the springs so I can bolt the strut to the steering knuckle. Anyways, i thought it was a pain but now I learned it the left side should be easy. After a long lunch break, I started the left side, after removal of the struts and spring, I couldn't unbolt the center bolt on top. then I tried to put the strut/spring back onto the steering knuckle, somehow I was having a harder time, then in the process of pushing and pulling the steering knuckle/brake rotor, the 3-headed drive train came out. After jacking up and unjacking, putting on the tire then unbolt the tire, twice. I finally was able to put the OEM struts back on the car. Now I am in search of a repair shop to fix the drive train and replace the strut. BAD day.

Anyone know what's involved with the drive train? how much?

thanks in advance. Now I learned my lesson, will only do brake job and oil change from now on.

 

I don't know what happened, but i think you should find some scion friends in your area and have them help you. It is never that hard...

 

do you mean the cv shaft slipped out?

 

its much easier having both sides in front jacked up at the same time also. makes putting the new strut in much easier.

 

If you dont have a spring compessor actually its very difficult. My friend had one and it still was time consuming.

 

Yea, especially if you're trying to mount the OEM springs back on a different strut. Not fun.

 

autozone is your friend.....rent one in the future

 

update: I did get the spring compressor from autozone. I picked up the car from the shop this morning, $120 for installing the Front left strut and "put some grease on the axle". Shop guy said I was lucky since the axle was not in, could damage the housing. And the left side is more difficult than the right.

Anyways, I am happy that there was no damage to other parts of the car. And my lower body is sored for two days.

 

It took me 7 hours with a set of spring compressors from advance auto free loaner tool to put a set of ebach springs on my car, prosport series. I used jack stands and a floor jack.

 

did you have to get it towed to the shop?

I have taken my springs out 3 times and it's not been that hard, were you following the spring DIY on here?

 

I did it outside on one of the windiest days in VA a few months ago and on the ground, gravel/dirt.

The front went back together way faster than it came apart, no compressor required. The rear was a bit more of a challenge to get both springs in before bolting the shocks up.

 

I failed twice putting strut back on the steering component and lowered the car, needless to say the tires hit the tire well as soon as I moved the car or lower the car, on the third attempt, I was able to put everything back using the axle as leverage. I was able to drive 0.5 miles to the repair shop. So no towing.

I was confused about the spring strut assembly, I compressed the spring then put it on the strut, tighten the center bolt, then released the spring. But I was not able to push the strut/spring up enough to bolt the two bolts into the steering component. I tried with the compressor on the strut/spring, but the top of the compressor was hitting the bottom of the strut well.

 

OUCH, sorry you had to pay thru the nose for a 1.5 hr. job.
The first time I did it was 2 hrs.
When using the spring compressors only clamp them onto the center 3 coils and stay away from where the spring touches the strut or top mount.
Did you change the springs and struts or just swap out the stock struts for Monroes using your old lowering springs?