Strut problem

magialatina

New Member
I have a 97 Acura Integra LS. I installed all 4 struts, spring coils, Front Upper and Lower control arms, Rear control arms, tie rod kits. I thought that everything was in its place. Last step was the front struts/coils. When I put the tires on, the front of the car went all the way to the floor. The fender literally touched/rested on the floor. I would appreciate any help. PLEASE.... What could be wrong, maybe the lower bar??? Everything on the rear is ok, the problem is on the front. I went to the auto parts to change the struts, thinking that it was a problem, but the same situation with the new front struts.
 

magialatina

New Member
I went to Advance Auto Parts and bought the best and most expensive ones, almost $400 just for the struts. I also bought the 4 springs but with this problem I put the old ones to see if that was the problem. I don't want to think that this struts are also bad from the fabric too. What holds the car up are the struts and the springs? I also primed the struts before installation, just in case. Where I messed it up? :(
 

magialatina

New Member
The fender hit the top of the tire and the front of the car hit the floor. I just returned the monroe struts ($80 each) , tomorrow, Monday, I will buy the acura struts, if my credit card can hold it. It looks like the Monroe struts are just a little bit larger than the originals, everything else looks the same. I noticed when I was compressing the springs, the original ones have to compress much more than Monroe ones. I don't even know is this is relevant. When I install the original ones tomorrow I'll let u know the result. Tomorrow I'll send pics. thanks
 

emd513

New Member
Sounds like your missing pieces. The spring does most of your holding the strut is used for rebound when you hit humps and bumps etc. You are sliding the spring over the right end correct.

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magialatina

New Member
You're right, I'm missing something somewhere, I also noticed that when I installed the driver side and put it down, it holds ok, testing the springs and struts (pushing up and down, normal) but when I installed the passenger side and put it down, the whole front goes to the floor. I'm going to buy another set of struts now, I'm afraid that when I installed this afternoon or tomorrow, the problem will continue. I'll let u know where I messed it up. I also noticed that I have an extra big screw, the same size of the front control arms, I don't know if it came with the parts set or I missing where it goes. Each control arm has 2 big screws one short and another large. That is something I'll check today. Now I don't thing that the problem are the struts. It has to be that large screw. Sometimes it is good to talk or write about the problem and you re-analize the situation different. thanks
 

fowler.j.12

New Member
You have 3 bolts on the control arm that are all 17's. One goes to strut. One goes to other side of control arm. One goes in the very back to the other control arm too I think. If you missed the one closest to engine it will sag incredibly low. Check that!
 

emd513

New Member
You are correct then. Your missing that bolt. Like said before there's one that hook your a arm to your frame, one that hooks the strut to the arm and your spindle runs down with a ball joint that goes through the out side and you also have two that hold your traction bar on.
Double check and make sure your not looking at the track bar bolts. Also check the top of the strut housing and make sure your plate is on there and you did not just miss place it.

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emd513

New Member
Yours is slightly different then my day but close enough

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magialatina

New Member
I'm stocked, no progress for a week, just bought 4 pair of struts and installed, back and forth like 9 times, (I install and uninstall with my eyes closed). If you look carefully the pics, the fender is broken ( I made both fender and front panel one piece). If the problem is the bottom screws like some of yours saying, , they are installed already. Maybe are in the wrong place, but they all fit very wel and the lower bar is okl. Or I'm missing something.

On the slideshow, hit the number at the bottom, to stop it.

http://www.eduardosphotography.com/Galleries/Acura/main2.html

I'll add more pics tonight.
 

emd513

New Member
You are missing a washer like what's on top. It his on the bottom of that assembly as well and is why its pushing that far up. That's your problem

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