rybikowsky

1992 400ls.I am in the process of changing the rear struts.So far it has been a bi--h.Some where in this cars life the rear differential was re biult.Who ever did it put locktite on everything.I have had to usr a length of pipe on the wrench to break things loose,broke one good quality socket.I own the factory repair books.I am having a hard time figuering how to get the axels out.I removed the six allen bolts on each one.I removed the large nut on the outside part of the axel.It sounds in the book that i am supposed to puch the outside end of the axel in towards the center and when it clears pull the axel out.My problem is simply that I am having no luck detaching either axel.Please help.Michael

Pilot

You DO NOT have to remove the axles to change struts. All I took off were the strut top and lower bolts, then I detached the small bolt for the anti torsion bar, and swung the small rod that it connects to, out of the way. After all bolts are out, you have to lower the strut out of the fender well on the forward side of the axle to bring it down low enough to clear getting it out of the car. If you try to lower it down on the back side of the axle it will not come out. I tried this, and simply pushed it back up in place and then lowered it down on the front side of the axle, where it came out easily. It only took about 90 minutes per wheel to change the strut, compress the spring etc on each wheel. I have never changed struts before on any car, and used standard tools. I did have a 1/2 ratchet/socket and straight breaker bar for the lower strut attachment bolt.

Pilot

91 LS400