Hi all - I've been in the process of restoring my 79 ZX. I am now working to get the front suspension in properly with the various new pieces, bushings, etc. However I am having real trouble getting the front struts put together and I either have the wrong parts or I am missing something very obvious.
I've searched the forums and found some threads, but all of them pretty much say, "Yeah its a huge PITA to fix those but hey I did it!" and not much detail. I also looked over the XenonS130 strut guide here, but picture references missing it reads just like other posts and things I have seen elsewhere.

I have the original FSM as well as the Haynes manual but they sort of gloss over this part of things too, so hopefully you guys can give me some insight.

Below is the image sequence of what I'm working with.

Here's my strut, with shock. Nothing special here.


Next I compress and put the spring back on, and line it up with the seating.


Install the bumper. This came with the replacement boot I got from MSA. Notice how the thread barely clears it.


Here's the top spring portion.


Here's the bearing installed.


Finally, the mounting part.


Basically what can I do to even get the nut started here? How do I actually compress it to get where I can put this thing back together? Is the only solution to just slap it together, mount it on the car and then lower it so the weight is on there and just slowly move it all into place?

I appreciate any advice any of you can give me on this - like I said, I feel dumb for asking but I want to get these on the car again so I can move on to the next phase of work.

 

Are those home made spring compressors? I suggest going to AutoZone and renting the real ones. Once the springs are compressed enough (feels like they are going to shoot into orbit at any moment), then the hats will fit on low enough to thread the nut.

Also, that boot looks like the bumper stop no? If so, it doesn't belong on the top (hopefully you paid attention to the part order upon removal).

Lastly, make sure the inner tube (the part that moves in and out of the housing) is fully out... otherwise you'll never get it threaded.