New rear strut causing crooked wheel?

[TazMan]

Hello everyone. I just replaced a rear strut in my 92 GP and now the wheel looks very crooked with the top angled out and the bottom angled in. I took this strut out twice looking for some kind of adjustment but have found nothing. I am certain it wasn't like this with the old strut (although the old strut was broken). Is there an adjustment or something I'm missing? Thanks

[SappySE107]

You just have to drive it a bit. They do that and yes, it freaked me out the first time too but it will settle down to normal.

[TazMan]

It looked really bad. I thought for sure I had done something wrong till I read your post. It's settling down. Thanks again!

[grandprixgtp_91]

well the new struts will have 2 holes in them, one of them needs to be slotted, you should see a dotted line to cut out and then you need to get an alignment, if you dont do this you will wear your tires out fast.

Jake

[geoffinbc]

Agreed. If suspension is taken apart it needs to be aligned every time. Many cars with strut based suspension has little to no provision for alignment even on the front. That is why mechanics add slots to the strut or on some cars they install strut alignment plates to the towers.

You are doing the right thing now by driving it and letting it settle. Do it for a few days and then you need a 4 wheel alignment.

[TazMan]

well the new struts will have 2 holes in them, one of them needs to be slotted, you should see a dotted line to cut out and then you need to get an alignment, if you dont do this you will wear your tires out fast.

Jake

Well I didn't cut the slotted hole but I did notice it. It was slotted only on one side of the hole. I'll wait till I'm ready to get the alignment to do that. If I have to get a 4 wheel alignment anyway, I'd like to change the front struts also. I assume I need a spring compressor to do this. Can I use any cheap strut compressor from e-bay, or do I need a specific type?

[grandprixgtp_91]

you wont need alignment after changing your front stuts because the are only cartriges , all you have to do is take the black cap off the strut tower and undo the bolt, then you will need a special tool to unthread the cap down in the strut housing and pull the struts out, and installation is reverse of removal, its honestly like a 10 min job tops if you have the special tool needed and no alignment required after that.

Jake