Need help installing camber plates

[Hops]

I've been attempting to install vorshlag camber plates over OEM struts on my 128i, and have gotten stuck. I'm able to get the strut top off, but the strut rod retracts into the piston, and now i can't compress the springs enough to get the plates on. I have taken to a local speed shop, and they can't do it either. Anyone know who can take care of this?

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

How far does the strut rod compress? My preferred technique for this is to leave everything in place on the car, support the knuckle with a jack (the car should be close to the ground), disconnect the top nut, lower the jack to relieve spring pressure, remove the top hat, install the camber plates on the tower, and jack the spring/strut/knuckle up in there. Guiding the strut shaft into the camber plate is a little bit of a pain, but a lot easier than getting the strut off and using the spring compressors.

Otherwise, I'd look to vise grips at the top of the shaft below the threading. Try to pad them so that they don't gouge it.

[Hops]

I've attached a pic of the struts, one is with the spring i removed, I put the top back on to show how much the rod has retracted. I really like your idea, but I don't know how i would tighten the top strut nut, there's this bar in the way (see other picture).

Vorshlag says i need a impact wrench to tighten the top strut nut, which i don't understand, i was able to loosen it with a 13/16" sparkplug socket and a 6mm allen key, seems like i could tighten the same way?

[AG]

I believe both Advance Auto Parts and Autozone loan out spring compressors. Are you able to pull the strut rod out to an uncompressed state by hand? If so, with the spring compressed, you should have a better chance of getting the camber plates on.

[Hops]

I believe both Advance Auto Parts and Autozone loan out spring compressors. Are you able to pull the strut rod out to an uncompressed state by hand? If so, with the spring compressed, you should have a better chance of getting the camber plates on.

yeah, i can't get the strut rod out by hand. Also, I have a spring compressor, i was able to remove old strut top. But after i got the top off the rod contracted into the piston. I'm not sure my compressor will do the job, even the speed shop i took it to said they couldn't do it. They said the spring was compressed to the point the coils of the spring were in top of each other when they used their compressor. They acted like it's not possible to do the job without a macpherson strut tool. But i wonder if they didn't have a good spring compressor.

[Nick325xiT 5spd]

I'd look at unbolting the brace.

[Hops]

Finally got my camber plates on. It was a frustrating saga. With the struts in hand, out of the car, it took me visiting 4 shops to get the camber plates mounted. I guess the OEM sport suspension springs are a real pain, I really don't think it's possible with a cheap spring compressor to compress the springs enough to get the plates on.