I started taking out my old steering rack today and I've hit a snag.

First of all the manual asked you disconnect the strut from the front bottom link and then place the bottom of the strut in front of the link. Do I need a spring compressor to do this or am i missing something.

So not being able to do this (I don't have a spring compressor, might have to rent one tomorrow) I tried to continue. The next step is to remove the bolt that holds the top 2 links in place, but the bolt won't budge. Now, is this because I need to lift the lower links and relieve some stress on the uppers before the bolt will loosen? and if thats the case i guess thats why I need to move the strut. Or am I mistaken, Help please!

 

a spring compressor is not required for this job... the shock tower will come out as an assembly...

spring compressors are yucky to deal with anyways...

take out the bottom bolt... spray it heavy with WD40, give it a bit of tension with a jack and loosen it, The tension should be off the assembly by then, so do the top bolts, then flip the shock assembly out by swinging it to the left...