I've watched several DIY vids and gone through some write-ups but none seem to have my issue. With everything unbolted the front struts are still under tension and jamming themselves between the upper and lower perch. On the rears, again they remain under tension and are jammed between the upper perch, lower arm and CV housing. What am I missing? Could it be they are all blown? Thanks in advance.

 

On the rear most would be undoing the sway bar so your not fighting the other side (true on front too), and the lower control arm from the knuckle.

What did you do or Not do?

Upon Assembly:
Do keep in mind that every rubber bushing except the sway bar mount should never be tightened while the suspension is hanging as it will be over rotated when the vehicle is on the ground damage those bushings. Including BRAND NEW SHOCKS!

 

from my experience you have to pull down on the control arm to create enough space to remove it

 

On the 3IS (which carries over the front suspension from the 2IS, I had to unbolt the upper A arm and move it out of the way. a pain but i found no other way.

 

^Yep! Unbolt the LCA from the chassis and swing it out of the way. With your body weight, push down on the entire knuckle. You should have just enough room to slip the bottom of the shock out from the control arm.

Good luck!

 

That's weird, when I replaced mine (with F-sport springs/struts), I slapped on some spring compressors, then unbolted the lower strut bolt, let the LCA "drop" and had plenty of space of move it out of the way.

I thought that's the way to do it, but seems like everyone else was just letting the strut fully expand then forcing the LCA to go lower to move it out of the way.

 

If it were mine to do, unbolt the lower ball joint. 2 bolts per side. Least impact on any thing. Do both sides at once and no need to unbolt the sway bar.

 

THIS!

I find that unbolting the lower ball joint is MUCH easier and is per the FSM, unlike the DIY in the suspension forum.
also as stated make sure the other side is off the ground too, so the sway bar is not loaded. you should not have to unbolt anything from the swaybar!