GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Well, after about 3 years of my vibe being lowered, it's time to take it back to the regular height. Wife is pregnant and the rougher ride is not good for her. Jacked the car up and trying to take the rears off first and now, can't get the strut to come free. Any suggestions? Tryed to pry em off, but still not budging.

you got all the bolts right... lol...

yes. There is only one. I can't get the end of the strut to break free on the bottom

Are you interested in selling your springs?

Quote, originally posted by djnewm »yes. There is only one. I can't get the end of the strut to break free on the bottomCan you post a pic?? I've had similar problems in the past..

so you have the 2 top bolts off, 1 bolt from inside the car/one from outside, and the one lower one, but you still cannot slide the strut out from the bottom right? just making sure I understand correctly.

There are Three bolts on the top and one on the bottom.Two on the inside of the car. One on the outside of the car if you have 2wd. if you have 4wd all three are on the inside of the car.

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »There are Three bolts on the top and one on the bottom.Two on the inside of the car. One on the outside of the car if you have 2wd. if you have 4wd all three are on the inside of the car.Oh yeah, forgot about that pesky third one at the top.. Now I really know I'm getting old.. the spare tire, grey hairs.. and now I'm forgetting things... what's next?

I'm looking at the manual and from what I see, the center spacer sleeve that runs through the lower bushing, is frozen to the shaft, the strut slides over... banging on it is doing nothing, because the bushing is just flexing... and you prolly can't get anything between the sleeve and the inner part of the mount... possibly a metal chisel would do it, but it may destroy the sleeve as well.. Be prepared to replace the struts, or have new sleeves made.. (most metal places can cut you some tubing that will approximate well enough, and cheaply)I would try and get the bushing off, over the spacer sleeve, then use penetrating oil and heat, coupled with some vice grips to try and get it to spin... Once it's off, sand the shaft, so that you get the scale rust off and make sure you put some anti-seize or teflon tape over the shaft before replacing the strut...

Kamikaze - yes, it's the one that is right behind the brake drum.well, we were able to get them off 3 years ago and I do remember having to apply alot of force to it, it's just now, I'm doing it on my own and having one helluva time doing so, I was hoping there was a certain tool or technique that I was missing.

are you trying to do both sides at once? if not try that.... it will help alow the suspention to fully droop.