On 15 Mar 2006 09:32:43 -0800, "scube" <sowell_s@yahoo.com> wrote:

>touche'..
> though my reasoning is that if the LCA didn't join correctly to the
>knuckle, the fork attached to it maybe lower than normal which could
>mean an extended shock (now this may be complete nonsense, I am no
>mechanic...). I know quite well what suspensions do, but from a
>mechanical point of view there are quite a few variations. I am far
>from an expert (obviously), but as long as you can get to a part, why
>fear replacing it? Plus, the terms shock and strut seem to be so
>interchangeable it is causing confusion in my mind. Thanks for the
>reply...

from my decades of working on machinery...I used to have a saying: If
you don't know what you're doing, then don't do it.

Mostly my customers would attempt a repair before they would call me
to tell me their machines were broken. So I would have to undo their
damage before I could even begin to work on the original problem.

In this way, I learned about the machines in a hurry. There was no
going home until they were repaired correctly. I would ask them, what
did you do? Some would say the guy on the other shift did something
and they didn't know. Anyhow, you see the point: unintended
consequences.

Keep in mind, there is little that can't be fixed if you have enough
money to throw at it. Then again, there comes a time to wipe the
slate clean and start over, with a different machine. What is this
going to cost to get repaired by a pro, vs. how much for a *new/used
vehicle.

Were I in your situation, I would have only done one side of the car,
and waited a while to be sure it was done correctly, using the other
side of the car as a mirror reflection of the way things should be. I
could go back and forth between what I was doing and the *good side*
to make sure I was doing things right.

You've got 2 options now:
bring it in to have a pro fix it.
buy another car.
I think if you're still asking questions at this point, confused
between a strut and a shock ( a strut is the combo spring/shock in one
unit ), then having another go at it is a waste of time and money.

Everyone can't do everything. Bring it in and let someone with the
proper tools and experience give you an estimate on the repair price.

Lg