Can't get bottom of strut over lower control arm
The bottom of the strut gets stuck and won't clear the lower control arm because the assembly lacks sufficient downward flex and clearance. Even after clamping the springs or fighting stubborn pinch bolts, you typically need to lift the vehicle nearly three feet in the air to achieve the extreme angle required to slip it free.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
- This comes up 9.7× more often in r/MechanicAdvice than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Clamping the springs to create more spaceDid this help you?
- 2Lifting the vehicle higher in the air to change the angleDid this help you?
- 3Cracking the lower arm bolts loose to provide more playDid this help you?
- 4lifting and lowering the vehicle to free the barDid this help you?
- 5using a 2x4 to lift the sway bar independentlyDid this help you?
- 6loosening the nut on top of the link and prying up with a toolDid this help you?
- 7using a bar and pry it outDid this help you?
- 8using a pry bar and pry up on that bracket to create a little bit of spaceDid this help you?
- 9using a sledge to tap that rear bushing straight because the gap was too tightDid this help you?
- 10Using a spring compressor to give enough roomDid this help you?
- 11Taking it off the ball joint first and dropping the hub or removing the hub and shock absorber as oneDid this help you?
- 12Undoing the top mount and giving it a waggleDid this help you?
- 13Opening the hood and undoing the bolts on the strut towerDid this help you?
- 14Support the control arm with blocks or a jackstand to apply slight preload, disconnect the sway bar link, and wiggle out the mounting bolts.Did this help you?
- 15Rent strut compressors to compress the coils squarely as much as possible before removal.Did this help you?
- 16Send the vehicle to a professional mechanic shop.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I can't get the bottom of the strut over the lower control arm. Have spent 4 hours drilling out the upper pinch bolt and am spent. And ideas? I've even clamped the springs to try and get myself more space”source ↗
“I had to lift my Mercedes almost 3 feet in the air to get the right angle so based on the image you’re probably just needing more space or flex out of the lower arm.”source ↗
“Trying to remove the front shock but there isn't enough movement to take it out.”source ↗
“Everything's off just doesn't seem enough downward movement”source ↗
“I believe the strut top mount and bearing both rusted out.”source ↗
“I know this is a dangerous situation as I'm sure there is still some energy in the spring”source ↗
“there is very little information on how to safely remove this assembly.”source ↗
“Tried it at the front mount which you can see but it seems that the bracket is just too tight for it to turn.”source ↗
“This is a 2004 Yaris and I'm trying to replace lower control arm but I can't get it out after trying anything I could think of.”source ↗
Where this came up
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