Strut won't go into knuckle

[dartfork]

Good grief!

Any tips on how to get a strut back into the knuckle?

It is in there half way, but I can see that it used to be much "deeper" into the knuckle. Even if I lift the car by the control arm/knuckle the strut won't go further in. Previously I've just been able to wiggle it and it'll slowly slide in.

I always feel like Charlie Brown when working on the Focus. Everything is difficult. Its the Charlie Browniest.

[Erik]

Good grief!

I always feel like Charlie Brown when working on the Focus. Everything is difficult. Its the Charlie Browniest.

+1 for that

[FocusMech.73155]

first make sure that the tap on the back of the shock absorber is lined up with the crack it slids into on the back of the knuckle. if it is lined up, take a big hammer and hit the lower control arm up while pulling and pushing the strut in and out. the vibration from the hammer hitting the lower control arm will slide the strut into the knuckle.
dave

[Steve@Tasca]

first make sure that the tap on the back of the shock absorber is lined up with the crack it slids into on the back of the knuckle. if it is lined up, take a big hammer and hit the lower control arm up while pulling and pushing the strut in and out. the vibration from the hammer hitting the lower control arm will slide the strut into the knuckle.
dave

x2

You can also use a floor jack to put upward pressure on the arm and bang on the knuckle, does the same thing to slide the strut into the knuckle.

[Patalrob]

first make sure that the tap on the back of the shock absorber is lined up with the crack it slids into on the back of the knuckle. if it is lined up, take a big hammer and hit the lower control arm up while pulling and pushing the strut in and out. the vibration from the hammer hitting the lower control arm will slide the strut into the knuckle.
dave

x2

You can also use a floor jack to put upward pressure on the arm and bang on the knuckle, does the same thing to slide the strut into the knuckle.

x3 Hammer and jack will work wonders!

[dartfork]

Once again FocusMech's tip's were right. Much hammering vibrated the strut down.
Thank you sir,
You are an asset to the community.