I can't get the top holes to line up for the bolt. Anyone have any tips on how to do this?


Also, on the passenger's side of the car I used a torch to heat up the bolts on the control arms and my axle boot melted from the heat... How effed am I now?

[This message has been edited by mgiusto (edited 05-17-2009).]

You need to get a big pry bar in there and push the strut/knuckle inward - may take two people. As for your boot, you will need a new one or all the grease will sling out.

quote Originally posted by katatak: As for your boot, you will need a new one or all the grease will sling out.

But how big a job is it to get the axle apart to put anew boot on? That is what I was most concerned with..

Thanks for the tip on the strut!

quote Originally posted by mgiusto: I can't get the top holes to line up for the bolt. Anyone have any tips on how to do this?

I found it was easier to get a jack under the control arm (carefully not to dmg the grease nipple on the ball joint if 84-87) and carefully jack upwards putting pressure on the strut and allowing you to maneuver it in the correct position.

don't bother to put the strut back on the rear knuckle. you will have to pull the shaft to replace the boot, and the strut out will help.
You will need transmission fluid (maybe), and a new boot kit (or two). It's not hard.
Your Chilton / Haynes manual will have the steps to pull the shaft and to replace the boot / shaft back in the car..

Wanted to add:
I usually put the top bolt in first, then push/pull on the strut until I can get the lower bolt in.

You can do a boot replacement three ways,
1 pull entire shaft, swap out needed boot. need one boot, transmission fluid, and a big torque wrench
2 pull the transmission tripot end (leaving the transmission part still in the tranmission), leaving the CVD (outer) end in the knuckle. remove the spider bearing from the loose end, then replace the outer boot, and slide the inner boot on the shaft. Install the spider bearing back on the tripot end and re-insert it back into the tripot (still hanging out of the transmission). no transmission fluid or big torque wrench needed, but two boots needed.
3 pull the CVD end (outer near knuckle) out and leave the transmission end in. need one boot, but need a big torque wrench.

[This message has been edited by IFLYR22 (edited 05-02-2009).]

Is your car an 88 and are you using KYB's? Seems the consensus is too remove a bit of material from the knuckle to get the bolts to line up, properly. I know I did when I put KYB's on my 88, and several other 88's. Just something strange about those crazy 88's.

quote Originally posted by IFLYR22: don't bother to put the strut back on the rear knuckle. you will have to pull the shaft to replace the boot, and the strut out will help. You will need transmission fluid (maybe), and a new boot kit (or two). It's not hard. Your Chilton / Haynes manual will have the steps to pull the shaft and to replace the boot / shaft back in the car.. Wanted to add: I usually put the top bolt in first, then push/pull on the strut until I can get the lower bolt in. You can do a boot replacement three ways, 1 pull entire shaft, swap out needed boot. need one boot, transmission fluid, and a big torque wrench 2 pull the transmission tripot end (leaving the transmission part still in the tranmission), leaving the CVD (outer) end in the knuckle. remove the spider bearing from the loose end, then replace the outer boot, and slide the inner boot on the shaft. Install the spider bearing back on the tripot end and re-insert it back into the tripot (still hanging out of the transmission). no transmission fluid or big torque wrench needed, but two boots needed. 3 pull the CVD end (outer near knuckle) out and leave the transmission end in. need one boot, but need a big torque wrench.

Iflyr, thanks for the help with the boot. The boot problem is on the other side of the car, not here where I was having trouble with getting the strut to line up. I guess the good thing is that I am still in the midst of breaking down the other side's rear suspension parts to re-fit with poly and change the strut so I'll just have to take a few more things out while in there to get to the boot and replace.

The car is an 88GT and I was able to get the strut bolt in for that knuckle, but for the other side I may shave the knuckle down some to make it easier.

Oh and by the way, where can I get a replacement boot and the grease that I will need to replace which has spewed out of this melted one that is on the car now?

[This message has been edited by mgiusto (edited 05-03-2009).]

Any auto parts store will have boot kits. The kits come with the boot, grease, band straps (may require a new tool for your collection), and the miscellaneous retainer clips.
You may have to order the kit though.
Also, don't go with a split boot. The split boots don't last anywhere near as long.

quote Originally posted by mgiusto: Oh and by the way, where can I get a replacement boot and the grease that I will need to replace which has spewed out of this melted one that is on the car now?

Cant tell from the pics, auto or manual trans? (different thickness axles) if auto I have two decent used boots I pulled off an axle last weekend that I can scoop out most of the old ooze and bag up for you and ship for the cost of UPS shipping, will be between $9-$10