pissed and semi-stuck

[OZMDD]

ok, i bit off more than i should on a solo job. i'm one corner into a shock swap, and this spring compressor is too long to clear the upper control arm. any chance someone is interested in some free beer and a few bucks to come lend a hand? im down in desoto, of course, the opposite side of town from 90% of y'all. on the upside, the CC Cross Band is playng about a mile from here, and the Martin Bros. are good friends of mine and will be playing with her, and i can get us all in free if we finish this...(massive bribery)

[ken o]

Did you remove the shock from the car?

[OZMDD]

oh yes.

[OZMDD]

problem lies in figuring a way to get the spring back in compressed w/o using these too-long strut compressors. Bailing wire probably sint strong enough? Plus the shock of releasing the spring tension all at once is also a bad idea, i presume.

[ken o]

Post a photo. How is it hitting the control arm off the car?

[OZMDD]

the threaded rod extends down too far and hits the upper arm, so i cant move the strut around to position it. ill try to get a photo. on toyotas, i was able to reassemble the strut off the car, then put it back, but didnt have the upper arm to put the shock through

[OZMDD]

should i assemble the strut, then put it back on the car?

[OZMDD]

to clarify, it is hitting the arm when i try to put the spring on the strut while the the strut is inserted into the lower shock mount/control arm

[ken o]

Did you read any of these?
http://www.miata.net/garage/garagehandling.html

[OZMDD]

yes, and some on mx5miata.net

[ken o]

You should assemble the strut and spring as a unit off the car.

[OZMDD]

never mind, same thing

[OZMDD]

ok. if i remove using the a-arm long bolt method, will i need to realign before i can drive it?

[MadMonkey]

Bailing wire probably sint strong enough?

I rented a spring compressor from O'Reilly's when I did my shocks.

EDIT: Crap they close at 8

[OZMDD]

no, ive got the oreillys spring compressor...problem is clearance. im now losening the upper a-arm longbolt

[OZMDD]

omg!! this is a breeze with the a-arm long bolt removed. Thanks! hope my alignment isnt screwed, but planning to get it aligned after the new sway bar and steering rack goes on in a few weeks.

[cone-cerned]

I have changed all four shocks all by myself, twice. I really like the long bolt method. If I was close enough, I would come help, but Google Maps says its about 95 miles to beautiful downtown DeSoto from my humble abode.

[wrx74]

Miata jack!

[OZMDD]

gracias to all. I've done this a ton of times on other cars, so it shouldn't have stumped me, but it did. Smooth sailing now...front is finished, on to the rear (thats what she said...)

[ken o]

alignment should be ok. but get it checked if you are lowering the car it will change. see aj at ntb.