Re: 1988 Camry 4 cyl station wagon:
The RH strut and CV half-shaft were worn out. I got the new CV half-shaft connected to the drive shaft, no problem. However I had to get a coil spring compression tool to re-compress the spring. Its the usual hex-head adjusting bolts and four clamp "hooks". Well, I see no way possible to get the strut reinstalled without some trick. The hooks have to go on the next-to end turn, of course, and there is only about 3/4 in. of the threads on the top of strut protruding through the big upper" washer" (or mount?) in which the top of spring rests. Maybe that is just enough to be able to start the strut nut on top.....maybe not. That was with the spring compressed as far as it can go. But worse than that, the strut tower is too narrow, so I can only raise the strut/ spring assy up until the adjusting bolt heads hit the edges of the strut tower/top of fender well....so the top of the strut is not quite high enough to enter the strut tower hole at all. It might be a half in. from even entering the hole. Yes, the bottom of the sring is oriented so that the tip- end of it is at the deepest part of the of the spring "cup" on the strut.
the only thing I can think of is that those hex-heads are very long, probably at least an inch.....so if I could grind them down to maybe 3/8 high, then maybe the strut would go on up through the strut tower hole. But those are really stout heax heads and would be a job for a machine shop. But'd have to see just how much higher the strut assy needs to go up into the strut tower, and then see if the heads can be ground down that much. THere must be some trick?? Becasue I know this is a common task, and I think the pro mechanics are using the same compression tool. Its got to be figured out, as I don't see how to even get it sent over to a mechanic shop with no wheel and strut on one side.
Regards, Geronimo