[spokes1952]

The rear strut is bad on my 93 Tempo. Instruction on getting it out and replacing? Do I compress the spring before or after removing the old strut? Thanks for any help.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

I'm not familiar with your specific vehicle and strut removal and installation can vary. Make sure you have jackstands to support the rear of your car. The strut and spring assemblies, that I have seen, come off and go on as a unit. However, some rear assemblies can require you to attach a coil spring compressor tool to the spring and tighten it so the spring is slightly compressed. You will then remove the coil spring compressor from the spring, after the new assembly is installed.

On front strut assemblies, spring compressors are used to remove/replace the coil spring from the strut damper assembly, while you have it mounted in a vise. You compress the coil spring to remove it and then set the compressed coil aside, until it's placed over the new strut assembly. Make sure the spring compressor is a high quality one and keep your face clear. You may need a T-50 Torx socket to hold the damper shaft while loosening the shaft nut. I recommend you get a Haynes Manual for your specific vehicle and replace all four struts at the same time. It's safer that way, even though it's more expensive.

I don't know what Tempo model and engine you have, but here's approximately what your rear strut assembly, without the coil spring, bearing, and seat assembly, looks like and costs:

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...ype=50&ptset=A