Originally Posted By: Jim Spahr
Yes, it did come with the J35668 long lever to lever the strut rod. I have had a lot of problem with the J38844 even getting it in the strut tower. I finally had to jack up the car to get that tool seated. I still don't have the old cart. centered. Several additional problems with my purchase of KYB strut cart. the J35668 doesn't fit on the JYB strut rod. KYB rod is diff. thread than the stock and the J tool. Also the Torx no. 50 is not what the KYB takes. It is a no. 6mm metric allen ....I may try to get a nut to fit the KYB and then get it welded to a pipe end to make a KYB friendly J35668. What a pain.
You should have gone with Monroe Sensatrac strut cartridges.
I've done this job a few times and finished no time.
However, there a few tricks to make it go faster.
I jack the car up, mainly to make it more comfortable to work on. Use an impact gun to shock the strut rod nut off, they are usually super tight after many years, same for the hold down collar. You don't need to suction out the oil, just stuff an old rag down there with a broom handle, pry bar, etc. to absorb the oil, its only 50cc of hydraulic oil I believe. To install, sometimes the guide is needed, sometimes not. A little bit of silicone spray helps to slip the jounce bumper back in.
Strut nut torque is 75ft lbs as I recall, good luck trying to achieve that without a helper and a flimsy Torx bit or allen head. I get it tight as I can and call it good, its a crimped thread lock nut and isn't going anywhere, never had one come loose.
