Mazda Repair: 98 Mazda 626, ball joints, mazda 626

Question
how to change the front strut springs on my 98 mazda 626. do they have to be compressed?

Answer
yes they do need to be compressed some cars you can get the strut out without removing the ball joints and rie rides, seperate the strut from the streering knuckle with it seperated remove the 2-4 nut's under the hood holding it in place have a helper hold it when doing so and lower it and slid it out now with the spring compressed remove the hold down nut measuring it's location for instalation. install is reverse taking note the reference measurement tight the strut nut on the new strut to that measurement


note: mark the relationship of the strut to the knuckle for install

should have it aligned when your done but marking everything will kit it pretty close to where it was