Rear Strut Removal
 

1993 Cutlass Supreme "S" (4 door sedan). What is the safest way to remove and install struts if you don't happen to have the really expensive "Rear transverse Leaf Spring Compressor tool" or (J35778)?

Use a jack to press up on wooden board that presses on the spring to remove tension as close to the strut as possible.

Thanks man. So where do i place my two jack stands in the rear to hold that up when I use the main jack to wood press the spring? Haven't quite figured that out.

The strut manuf. supplied a bolt, so I am guessing i have an aux. spring too?

Just place them where you'd normally lift the car with the spare tire jack on the side rails. These cars are nearly 70-30 weight distribution front to rear, so it will be just fine.

There may be a rubber figure-8 type rubber aux spring there. Honestly, I have not yet figured out what its for. Most guys on another forum I'm on just take it off and throw it away. I've had mine off for 100k miles now and haven't noticed a single difference. The interesting thing is that some cars came with it, and some didn't.

i got the left rear strut replaced. i pulled the old one out and the rod just sank to the bottom! I used the alternative bolts for the struts since they pressed in easier. I that w/ the rear propped up on the side rails and the jack used to compress the spring...i could raise and lower the height to align the bottom mounts.

i thought it would take tons of force, but i can compress the new shock w/ a little bit of force using my hands to fit it in place.

I chucked the aux. spring, so i wouldn't have to mess w/ that crap.

Thank you for clarifying the process and these cars w/ transverse springs are pretty easy to do (took me 5 hours the first time! ..trying to be safe/cautious...most likely S L O W! )...maybe i can cut an hour or so on the right side.

cool.