I have the same in my impala, took me 20mins and sheer luck to get those 3
bolts to line up at the top of the mount, unlike the front you can’t do it
with one hand while you reach around and get the first nut going and the
top part doesn’t rotate like on the front. Only by sheer luck did one of
the bolts go through, I took my hand through the seat and got it started
that way, I can’t believe I did this as I’m sitting here typing this, I
thought it would be impossible without two people, again I got very lucky,
let’s see if my luck holds when I do the other side, but just so everyone
knows it is humanly possible to reach around from the rear passengers side
(when you fold the seat down. Also if you drop a socket or nut back between
the cloth and the seat in that little corner you will need a magnetic
pick-up tool to get it…ask me how I know this
Also if you are renting the spring compressors like richpin showed first
you can’t use air tools, you will have to do it by hand, ask me how I know,
it helps you have a set of ratcheting wrenches to make it go faster
specificially 19mm
to tighten the top nut you will need to use a little trick, 2in 1/4 in
extension, 1/4 10mm socket, and a socket to fit over the nut you want to
tighten, feed the 10mm socket and 1/4 extension though the hex top spark
plug socket that fits over the nut you want to tighten. Then use a wrench
on the top till it’s tight, can’t really check torque on it so get it tight
finally a LUMINa!! I got the 96, and I got the whole struts from junkyard!!
I dont got air gun, just my hand tools and the driveway, the bottom bolts
on my lumina is insane & extremely stubborn!!
and that all there is to it. ez peezy! lol..
seems to never be that ez peezy for me rich..
but I’m sure it would be much more difficult if you hadn’t made this video
that’s for sure..
Fantastic Video. Easy to follow but I think one would still need a little
patients. Also helps to have the right tools too so I am glad my
brother-in-law is doing it for me. I just wanted to see what is involved.
Nowadays if the costumer can afford a few more dollars depending on what
make and model of the car it’s more safe, more easy and faster to just buy
a whole strut and spring set all together in one. New spring, new strut,
mount, new bearings.
@richpin06.. Thanks, i have yet to do a change out. Like always, after a
doing a few…u kick yourself for not doing it sooner. Good seeing u around
the tube over the years!
It could easily be the sway bar bushings or end links, as well. Those make
a knockitty clunking noise, if they’re worn. Sway bar bushings are only a
couple bucks and easy to replace.
i was trained in the 60’s in mechanics at trade school and a benz dealer. i
cannot believe this type of instruction is still available. it takes me
back to when instructors really instructed. thank you.
It is he’s twin brother. Important Update: Jan 2013 there will be a new
richpin channel for all future videos.Richpin06a channel will be mainly for
all the Saturn lovers out there.Should be a lot of fun so stay tuned
Hey…My dad keeps telling me dont bother with the struts because they are
some how very dangerous and I guess can pop out from pressure and kill
you..Im not a mechanic but I do my basic oil changes and stuff , is there a
video on doing the rear struts for a 2001 Chevy Prizm/Corolla?? I cant seem
to find them. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! AWESOME VIDS BTW!!
hi, richpin. great video on strut removal, i have a 91 ford escort.
question do you think a electric impact wrench would be strong enough to
remove the lower strut bolts? i almost broke my pry bar getting the rear
ones off. thanks for any advice on removing the strut bolts.
Wow, just genius with the mech. quick tips. Rich, have u done this with
your sl2 Saturn…the back strut is done similar to this, ill assume. But,
the front is different…any video or reference video?
Hi Rich, I have bad strut rear strut mounts on my 99 buick century. I
bought a new strut mount – Is it easier if I remove the strut from the car
or try to replace it without removing the strut. Any ideas?
){kind=link}
I have the same in my impala, took me 20mins and sheer luck to get those 3
bolts to line up at the top of the mount, unlike the front you can’t do it
with one hand while you reach around and get the first nut going and the
top part doesn’t rotate like on the front. Only by sheer luck did one of
the bolts go through, I took my hand through the seat and got it started
that way, I can’t believe I did this as I’m sitting here typing this, I
thought it would be impossible without two people, again I got very lucky,
let’s see if my luck holds when I do the other side, but just so everyone
knows it is humanly possible to reach around from the rear passengers side
(when you fold the seat down. Also if you drop a socket or nut back between
the cloth and the seat in that little corner you will need a magnetic
pick-up tool to get it…ask me how I know this
Also if you are renting the spring compressors like richpin showed first
you can’t use air tools, you will have to do it by hand, ask me how I know,
it helps you have a set of ratcheting wrenches to make it go faster
specificially 19mm
to tighten the top nut you will need to use a little trick, 2in 1/4 in
extension, 1/4 10mm socket, and a socket to fit over the nut you want to
tighten, feed the 10mm socket and 1/4 extension though the hex top spark
plug socket that fits over the nut you want to tighten. Then use a wrench
on the top till it’s tight, can’t really check torque on it so get it tight
finally a LUMINa!! I got the 96, and I got the whole struts from junkyard!!
I dont got air gun, just my hand tools and the driveway, the bottom bolts
on my lumina is insane & extremely stubborn!!
wow – very clever trick with the bed frame!
redneck engineering, i love it!
and that all there is to it. ez peezy! lol..
seems to never be that ez peezy for me rich..
but I’m sure it would be much more difficult if you hadn’t made this video
that’s for sure..
Fantastic Video. Easy to follow but I think one would still need a little
patients. Also helps to have the right tools too so I am glad my
brother-in-law is doing it for me. I just wanted to see what is involved.
If you don’t have an air wrench you should loosen the top strut nut before
taking it out of the car.
Love ur home made tool
Replacing rear struts on a 1992 Lumina and can’t figure out how to compress
the rubber auxiliary springs, any ideas?
by far..the best how to video guy on youtube…now if only he worked on his
1998 Nissan Altima GLE everyday .. :p
@mazzmajazz he does sound a lot like Ray lol i thought that too before
reading the comments, he’s cool though haha…
Nowadays if the costumer can afford a few more dollars depending on what
make and model of the car it’s more safe, more easy and faster to just buy
a whole strut and spring set all together in one. New spring, new strut,
mount, new bearings.
@richpin06.. Thanks, i have yet to do a change out. Like always, after a
doing a few…u kick yourself for not doing it sooner. Good seeing u around
the tube over the years!
It could easily be the sway bar bushings or end links, as well. Those make
a knockitty clunking noise, if they’re worn. Sway bar bushings are only a
couple bucks and easy to replace.
Great Video. Wish me luck. Lolll
I know very little about the mgf.
Very helpful video .. thanks ..
i was trained in the 60’s in mechanics at trade school and a benz dealer. i
cannot believe this type of instruction is still available. it takes me
back to when instructors really instructed. thank you.
@orbit789321 yes
Great advice. Love the lever idea! Thank you.
Is this the same process as the Saturn SL?
It is he’s twin brother. Important Update: Jan 2013 there will be a new
richpin channel for all future videos.Richpin06a channel will be mainly for
all the Saturn lovers out there.Should be a lot of fun so stay tuned
I think it would be easier to remove the strut.
Hey…My dad keeps telling me dont bother with the struts because they are
some how very dangerous and I guess can pop out from pressure and kill
you..Im not a mechanic but I do my basic oil changes and stuff , is there a
video on doing the rear struts for a 2001 Chevy Prizm/Corolla?? I cant seem
to find them. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! AWESOME VIDS BTW!!
@richpin06a Lol
@richpin06a oh ok thanks your video really helped me alot.
hi, richpin. great video on strut removal, i have a 91 ford escort.
question do you think a electric impact wrench would be strong enough to
remove the lower strut bolts? i almost broke my pry bar getting the rear
ones off. thanks for any advice on removing the strut bolts.
Wow, just genius with the mech. quick tips. Rich, have u done this with
your sl2 Saturn…the back strut is done similar to this, ill assume. But,
the front is different…any video or reference video?
They all are basically the same with a few little differences here and
there.
@xztankerz Yes you can do one side at a time if you prefer
Hi Rich, I have bad strut rear strut mounts on my 99 buick century. I
bought a new strut mount – Is it easier if I remove the strut from the car
or try to replace it without removing the strut. Any ideas?