Problem installing rear strut
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
Problem installing rear strut
I am installing a replacement Arnott strut on one side in the rear driver's side. I got the strut in, but cannot get the axle assembly pushed down far enough to align with the end of the lower control arm to attach the control arm bolt.
Is there a trick to getting the axle down far enough? It is next to impossible to push it down close to far enough, and then it needs to be pushed out some.
Both wheels are off the ground, swaybar link is out of the car, inner control bar bolt is loosened.
Thanks.
Is there a trick to getting the axle down far enough? It is next to impossible to push it down close to far enough, and then it needs to be pushed out some.
Both wheels are off the ground, swaybar link is out of the car, inner control bar bolt is loosened.
Thanks.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
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From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
I am installing a replacement Arnott strut on one side in the rear driver's side. I got the strut in, but cannot get the axle assembly pushed down far enough to align with the end of the lower control arm to attach the control arm bolt.
Is there a trick to getting the axle down far enough? It is next to impossible to push it down close to far enough, and then it needs to be pushed out some.
Both wheels are off the ground, swaybar link is out of the car, inner control bar bolt is loosened.
Thanks.
Is there a trick to getting the axle down far enough? It is next to impossible to push it down close to far enough, and then it needs to be pushed out some.
Both wheels are off the ground, swaybar link is out of the car, inner control bar bolt is loosened.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
Arnott has the strut pressurized and say it has to stay that way; otherwise it will go into default and won't work. There's no wire, it's just fully extended and can't be compressed.
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 163
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, Ca.
06 E350
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
Yes, it's an Airmatic.
I put the Arnotts in about 5 years ago, and they were great until now. They sent me a new one at no charge.
They went in much easier back then. Can't remember exactly what was different, though. Maybe putting both in makes it easier to move the axles?
I put the Arnotts in about 5 years ago, and they were great until now. They sent me a new one at no charge.
They went in much easier back then. Can't remember exactly what was different, though. Maybe putting both in makes it easier to move the axles?
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From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
After trying lots of different methods, what I do is remove the wheel carrier bolt. That's the one at the end of the lower transverse arm, that connects the transverse arm to the carrier. That will allow you to lower the transverse arm far enough to get the strut back in. Be careful not to damage the level control. Bolt the strut onto the arm - tighten whenever you like.
Getting the wheel carrier bolted back onto the arm is a little tricky. Put a jack under the end of the transverse arm and lift the arm up to meet the carrier, and then put the carrier bolt back in. Both bolts should go in freely without tools.
Nick
Getting the wheel carrier bolted back onto the arm is a little tricky. Put a jack under the end of the transverse arm and lift the arm up to meet the carrier, and then put the carrier bolt back in. Both bolts should go in freely without tools.
Nick
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
Thanks, Nick. I took the carrier arm outer end bolt off to get the strut out and new one in.
However, the strut is fully pressurized, and when I try to jack the carrier arm up at all, it lifts the car off the jackstand.
I'm wondering if I need to also disconnect the inner mount bolt of the thrust arm to get more play in the axle carrier to push it down far enough to attach the bolt. But, then it may be difficult to re mount that bolt.
However, the strut is fully pressurized, and when I try to jack the carrier arm up at all, it lifts the car off the jackstand.
I'm wondering if I need to also disconnect the inner mount bolt of the thrust arm to get more play in the axle carrier to push it down far enough to attach the bolt. But, then it may be difficult to re mount that bolt.
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From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
"Arnott has the strut pressurized and say it has to stay that way; otherwise it will go into default and won't work"
I don't have a clue what that means. It is an air strut with a variable-dampening hydraulic shock. It will shorten and extend millions of times during its life.
Did you actually and specifically ask a knowledgeable tech support person at Arnott what you should do? Is that first sentence an accurate restatement of Arnott's advice?
I don't have a clue what that means. It is an air strut with a variable-dampening hydraulic shock. It will shorten and extend millions of times during its life.
Did you actually and specifically ask a knowledgeable tech support person at Arnott what you should do? Is that first sentence an accurate restatement of Arnott's advice?
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
Yes, that is what the Arnott tech department said.
they said it is a difficult install and you have to just push the axle carrier down and out far enough to meet the control arm.
they said it is a difficult install and you have to just push the axle carrier down and out far enough to meet the control arm.
The extended, pressurized strut is keeping the control arm low and a jack won't push it up at all without lifting the car.
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From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Difficult? No, not really. The front can be difficult!
It sounds like the car won't sit at the right ride height then?
It sounds like the car won't sit at the right ride height then?
Last edited by Welwynnick; Dec 8, 2017 at 11:21 AM.
Thread Starter
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
I guess the ride height will adjust and settle in once the car is started and the airmatic system is on? I sure hope so!
I still don't know how I am going to force the axle carrier down far enough to align with the control arm.
I still don't know how I am going to force the axle carrier down far enough to align with the control arm.
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From: Welwyn, Herts, UK
2006 S600
Where are you jacking the transverse arm?
If you jack it in the middle, you lift the car up just as much as if you raise the suspension.
You should lift the arm at the outboard end (while allowing enough room to bolt the carrier on).
That will give you maximum lift on the arm and minimum lift on the car.
Nick
If you jack it in the middle, you lift the car up just as much as if you raise the suspension.
You should lift the arm at the outboard end (while allowing enough room to bolt the carrier on).
That will give you maximum lift on the arm and minimum lift on the car.
Nick
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 560
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From: FL
2000 S500 Brilliant Silver, 1990 BMW 735iL, 1971 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO, 1976 Pontiac Formula 400
I did lift it out by the end, lifted the whole car up. Arnott said the strut would compress after awhile, but it hasn't budged in an hour.
