Sway bar end link removal

[jjrock5]

Alright here's the explanation and maybe you cab offer an easier way.

For the fronts, the sway bar links are bolted up to the fork looking thing that is bolted to the bottom of the strut. I tried to unbolt the fork looking thing to hopefully remove only the strut and soring assembly but couldnt because i dont get enough play to do it this way. I even unbolted that piece from the lower arm but still couldnt get enough play.

Im assuming you were able to get enough play to get the strut/spring assembly off without having to bring it out with that fork thing.

If you have an easier way please post it. I still have to do the pass. side and any ideas are welcome.

As you can see in the pic, the sway bar link is bolted up to the fork that bolts up to the strut. If I could find a way to get enough play between the fork and strut I wouldnt even have to touch the sway bar link...

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[PieEyedPiper]

I see now. Your descriptions and the picture are bringing it all back to me. I do recall it being tight in that spot you mention. I believe that I used a jack underneath the shock/shock fork ...or something like that. Or maybe I pryed the swaybar/link/fork with a bar? Perhaps I was feeling burly enough to manually compress the shock assembly to gain the necessary clearance in some sort of explosive maneuver.
But I do seem to recall that the orientation/mounting/seating of the top of the shock assembly, like how it sat or if it was still bolted in or not may have had an impact in how much clearance I was able to achieve.

Hopefully that jagged flashback can be of any use for the passenger side!

 

[jjrock5]

As I typed the eplanation I am considering using the spring compressors (though I dont think they'll fit in that tight of an area) to hopefully compress the springs while they're on the car. This will allow me to push up on the strut and away from the fork, and hopefully giving enough clearance to remove the strut assembly without touching that damn link.

Thanks for the input.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

As I typed the eplanation I am considering using the spring compressors (though I dont think they'll fit in that tight of an area) to hopefully compress the springs while they're on the car. This will allow me to push up on the strut and away from the fork, and hopefully giving enough clearance to remove the strut assembly without touching that damn link.

Thanks for the input.

Ooo! That's a good one. I know I at least tried it. Hopefully that works!