Daystar Front 1" Strut Spacers Install

[Austin.Hales]

I bought Daystar strut spacers about a week ago, and I'm hesitant to install them myself. I think I understand how it works, but I've never touched my suspension so I'm not sure about how its assembled and I don't want to screw something up and not know how to fix it. Can someone either give a detailed step by step or a link that will take me to one? Thanks :roadkill:

 

[thorridder]

i did the 2.5" and it sucked @**. the 1" should be much easier. does it just do on top? taking the strut apart and putting longer top bolts in? put back together?

 

[Austin.Hales]

Yea that's right. It might sound easy but I just don't want to jump into it and mess something up. Because wouldn't I need a spring compressor? And I think I have to hit the top of the strut with a hammer to force it out. I'm just not sure exactly what I need to do since I'm new to suspension

 

[thorridder]

yes and no. go to autozone or a place like that, they rent tools out. you can get what you need, its 2 large clamps. when you compress it and they top will fall out, then simply pull it all out. clamp down until the top is loose, undo the top, pound bolts out, put new in, put back together. may have a little trouble putting it back in, maybe have a friend push down on the caliper or use your tire jack and some wood to push it down, then tighten everything up.

 

[Baja Runner]

I think those spacers go in the strut itself, and not on top.

If so:

1) Support front frame on jack stands
2) With suspension drooped, you can remove the bottom bolt.
3) Remove top 3 nuts, and the strut will come out. You can use the stock bottle jack to wedge between the wheel well and upper a-arm to push it down if it needs to move around, but you most likely will not have to do that.
4) With the strut out, put on external spring compressors and relieve the tension from the top plate.
5) Remove the top center nut. Best to use an impact wrench so you don't have to worry about holding the shaft in place while you try to remove it.
6) The top center nut will come off and you can put the spacer between the top plate and spring.
7) To put on top plate, you'll ahve to compress the spring even more so you get enough threads showing on that top shock stud for the nut.

Much much easier with impact wrench. I've done it without and its not that fun

 

[thorridder]

Much much easier with impact wrench. I've done it without and its not that fun

i did it without and gave up and i literally wanted to cry because it did not want to work and nothing was going right so i gave up. impact wrench FTW!!!!

 

[Austin.Hales]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B001GH5PDI/ref=dp_image_z_0?ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive
This is exactly what I have, if that helps clear anything. Ok I'm understanding this a little better now. Will I need a wheel alignment for this?

 

[thorridder]

Amazon.com: Daystar KT09105BK Comfort Ride 1" Front Strut Spacer Kit
This is exactly what I have, if that helps clear anything. Ok I'm understanding this a little better now. Will I need a wheel alignment for this?

yes you will need one, and yes im 80% sure it just goes on top like i said to do.

 

[THEREALTOR1]

I think those spacers go in the strut itself, and not on top.

If so:

1) Support front frame on jack stands
2) With suspension drooped, you can remove the bottom bolt.
3) Remove top 3 nuts, and the strut will come out. You can use the stock bottle jack to wedge between the wheel well and upper a-arm to push it down if it needs to move around, but you most likely will not have to do that.
4) With the strut out, put on external spring compressors and relieve the tension from the top plate.
5) Remove the top center nut. Best to use an impact wrench so you don't have to worry about holding the shaft in place while you try to remove it.
6) The top center nut will come off and you can put the spacer between the top plate and spring.
7) To put on top plate, you'll ahve to compress the spring even more so you get enough threads showing on that top shock stud for the nut.

Much much easier with impact wrench. I've done it without and its not that fun

All this, and loosen/remove sway bar, loosen upper control arm bolt, do the factory bottle jack trick, get a big prybar handy...yeah pretty much all this. Just do an advanced search here in the 3rd gen section and the suspension section using keywords: "daystar" "coil" "lift" (Do thread title search only not entire body), you'll find tons of threads. I have several saved but they're on my other laptop. I'll try and get them for you but can't promise when i'll have to get to it.