Struts 98 trans sport

[mn454]

Are the front struts too difficult to change? I am looking to do this on the weekend. Is there a special tool that is required to take off the top nut on the strut? It looks like there is very little room for the air rachet. I was thinking of letting a machanic take care of the front ones and I take care of the rear shocks. Any place I could reserach this? thaks

[Headnsouth]

It depends on what you're actually replacing. The whole unit or just the strut. If its just the strut you'll need a spring compression tool which some auto parts will rent for free as long as you buy the parts from them. They just require a CC.

You'll need to jack up the van, remove the wheel and put it on jack stands, use the jack to raise the strut assembly and loosen the three nuts in the shock tower then loosen the two grey bolts on the rotor. The bolts get knocked out with a hammer, they have a spline on the bolt. Lower the jack and the strut should be free.
Now the fun starts, you'll have to compress the spring to loosen the big nut on top of the strut. Reassemble in reverse.
It can be a PITA to get the spring compression correct.

[mn454]

Thanks for the help. I think I'll try to install these myself. Is there a place that sells the whole assembly, because I tried the local parts stores and none have them.

[Headnsouth]

Maybe the dealer. :ouch:

[mgbeehive]

i just preformed this operation on a 1998 transport. what i did to cut the job way down on time. i removed the lower w/shield wiper panel, you don't have to remove the wipers just be careful. remove the screws, bow the plastic panel up in the middle and slide the outer ends out to remove the panel. i then took my flash light to see the hard to reach nuts in the rear, then i took my large holesaw and drilled a hole in the panel just above the nut. " YOU HAVE TO START THE HOLESAW AT AN ANGLE TILL YOU GET THE DRILL BIT THROUGH THEN YOU CAN START APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE REAR TILL THE HOLESAW CAN DRILL STRAIGHT DOWN" then drill the hole all the way through the metal. then you can use your rachet and socket to remove the nut. after re-installing the strut take some axel grease or paint to touch up the bare metal from the saw. reassemble the wiper panel and your done in about half the time. you don't even see the holes you drilled after the wiper panel is re-installed. good luck! p.s. i put a little dum-dum on my socket to hold the nut so i can bolt it back on, you don't what to loose that nut way back in that tunnel. the other nuts are fairly easy with a rachet wrench. ken!

[96tsport]

Originally Posted by mn454

Is there a place that sells the whole assembly, because I tried the local parts stores and none have them.

I've seen whole strut assemblies for sale.

Canadian Tire offers them up here & I've seen them elsewhere but didn't pursue it. CT adverstises from (think ~ 300).. & sounds real good but usually ends of costing waaay more..& never end up with the from price.

They're out there but probably pricey. Sometimes, extra parts that may be required with a regular job can be pricy too though..

I did a dodge awhile ago that required upper bearings (should be checked out) & the whole upper metal housing was rusted out.

Springs might be shot too..

I think I needed an air tool for the top nut cos the strut rod will turn unless secured & vice grips didn't work for me.

Cheap spring compressing tools can be had but I wouldn't use 'em (anymore..) & compressing the springs at home with those tools (threaded rod with hooks on the ends that bolt down) can be tricky & dangerous. I had a set where the threaded rod (real cheap metal) bent the first time i tried 'em.. Once it took 2 sets of the cheap tools (made for the job) cos the one set just didn't compress enuff.

Last time I went to Meineke & had them do it.

Wanna do the job once cos an alignment is involved, or usually recommended even if marking off the strut bolts before removal. One of them on mine was for alignment & had a cam built in.

[96tsport]

Found these good to go strut assys on e-bay ..but none for TS..

But the ad does say..
We have many unlisted ready struts available. If you don't see the units for your vehicle and would like to see if we have them. Please contact seller and we will be glad to post yours on Ebay, many more sets are available thank you