Pontiac Repair: Shock Absorber Installation, shock absorber installation, strut installation

Question
Hello Todd,
I have a general question on strut installation and since the Toyota expert is "maxed out" I am hoping you can help.  I am replacing all four struts on my 1988 Toyota Supra.  The front struts were no problem to reinstall.  The two rear struts are giving me fits.  The bottom round end of the shock absorber which is supposed to fit inside the axle carrier is not fitting properly.  It appears that the shock absorber end keeps hitting a bushing that protrudes slightly on one of the holes in the carrier.  I don't want to hit the strut end with a hammer to force it in the carrier as I am afraid I will damage the strut.  Do you have any ideas?  The struts are built by Tokico and I don't have the old struts that came off the car any more.  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi syed:

I can't rerally help you out here I'm not a Toyota guy I don't believe I have ever worked on a Supra so I don't have a clue as to how that assembly goes together. doe the axle carrier have a pinch bolt makes it so the axle carrier grabs onto the strut/shock? If so you may be able to spread out the opening with a punch to allod the assembvy to drop into place? second though it after market strut/shock assembly and the diameter is slightly larger then the orignal equipment part and that's why it doesn't fit? Last though it the bushing may be bloated out due to the fast that the old sturt leaked oil out and the oil attached the rubber and made it swell?? those are the only thought I have here for you and without even knoing how it goes together it's just a shot in the dark. Good luck :)