Rear strut/spring top Hat orientation

[JDM_Rook]

While I was disassembling the rear strut assembly on my sedan, I forgot to take note of how the top hat stud bolts(2) are positioned in relationship of the shock body, and bolt hole on bottom end. The Haynes manual states:

Mark the relationship of the damper mounting base to the spring(or if the spring is being replaced, put a mark on the damper unit). This will ensure correct positioning of the mounting base when the unit is reassembled.

In my case, I am replacing both. Didn't want to decompress springs and find out bolt studs won't line up with car body.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[001Stunna]

What are you doing? Re-installing oem shocks? coilovers? or...

You insert the whole damper/shock unit into the rear upper tower. Bolt the two studs down just enough so it holds it from falling. Grease the inside of the lower mount on the shock and connect the lower mount. You can spin the shock a bit if its not perfectly aligned. Connect the lower bolt. Tighten the top bolts to the right torque, Tighten the lower bolt to the right torque.

The reason behind placing some grease inside the lower mount of the shock is so it doesn't spin the bushing when you drop the car and allow for some lubrication.

 

[JDM_Rook]

What are you doing? Re-installing oem shocks? coilovers? or...

You insert the whole damper/shock unit into the rear upper tower. Bolt the two studs down just enough so it holds it from falling. Grease the inside of the lower mount on the shock and connect the lower mount. You can spin the shock a bit if its not perfectly aligned. Connect the lower bolt. Tighten the top bolts to the right torque, Tighten the lower bolt to the right torque.

The reason behind placing some grease inside the lower mount of the shock is so it doesn't spin the bushing when you drop the car and allow for some lubrication.

They are KYB Gr2's. I wasn't sure how easy shock body would spin, but it worked out okay. Now I'm having trouble getting the bottom bolt hole lined up. The bottom of rear shock is in the metal surround cradle but needs to come up 1/2". I also unbolted the anti-sway bar. Any Suggestions?

 

[BlkCurrantKord]

Use a jack

 

[001Stunna]

They are KYB Gr2's. I wasn't sure how easy shock body would spin, but it worked out okay. Now I'm having trouble getting the bottom bolt hole lined up. The bottom of rear shock is in the metal surround cradle but needs to come up 1/2". I also unbolted the anti-sway bar. Any Suggestions?

Prybar to push the housing down...or a buddy to help.

 

[simplicity]

I've always wondered what the reason for this is - Mark the relationship of the damper mounting base to the spring(or if the spring is being replaced, put a mark on the damper unit). This will ensure correct positioning of the mounting base when the unit is reassembled.

Is it to just make sure the strut mount plate goes in the right way when placed back under the car and that the lower strut bolt would line up?