struts help

2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO
170,000 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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SEAN27
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I was changing my front struts on my 2002 Monte Carlo I took the old ones off, And tried to put the new ones on but they are not lining up. The knuckle holes seem to far up from the strut. So I tried to put the old one back on and the same problem
Dec 27, 2015 at 4:57 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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The lower control arm dropped down. Lift it up and see if you can insert a long punch into one of the holes to hold it in place.
Dec 27, 2015 at 5:28 PM
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SEAN27
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I tried that. I seems like the strut is too long. the bottom knuckle hole line up with the top strut screw hole even on the old one.
Dec 27, 2015 at 5:55 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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The lower control arm moves to line up the holes.
Dec 27, 2015 at 5:57 PM
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SEAN27
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when I push down on the control arm the knuckle moves outward. could it be the struts needs to be compressed
Dec 27, 2015 at 5:59 PM
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SEAN27
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Thanks ahead for the help I've been working on this for about four days now I never ran into nothing like this before
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:01 PM
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SEAN27
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The control arm is fine the strut seems like it decompressed after I took it off
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:03 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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I'll say it one more time. The lower control arm move and the knuckle swivels on a ball joint so it can be moved anywhere it needs to be.
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:05 PM
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SEAN27
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ok I'm going to try that
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:06 PM
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SEAN27
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this is a image of it
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Dec 27, 2015 at 6:17 PM
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SEAN27
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the strut seems to long to go over the cv axel and line up in the knuckle I'm sorry if I'm not making everything clear
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:19 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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Make sure the axle is fully seated at both ends as that will push the knuckle away if it isn't. Also make sure you didn't separate the inner C/V joint.
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:20 PM
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SEAN27
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I just replaced the cv axel about an hour ago
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:22 PM
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SEAN27
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its weird because the old strut is doing the same thing
Dec 27, 2015 at 6:23 PM
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SEAN27
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Hey thanks I figured it out. I didn't have the front end jack up enough LOL Stupid ME
Dec 27, 2015 at 7:38 PM