I thought I would save myself some money on my 2009 escalade. A mechanic told me one of the front struts was locked up. The cost on the strut alone is over 400.00. I watched you tube videos and decided I could do it myself. I got the old strut off relatively easy. I used the spring compressors to take the strut loose from the coil spring without any trouble. I put the new strut back in the coil spring and tightened everything up.
The problem is when I tried to put it back in place the strut is not compressed enough to get back in the same place it came out of.
I can't seem to get the strut to compress at all so it will fit.
it's hard for me to believe there is no give in the new strut. If it's this hard won't it be a hard ride? That is, of course if o ever get it back together.
can anyone tell me how to get the strut back in place?

 

So you took the front strut apart. Change the strut and put it back together, bolted it back in truck and suspension won't depress so front is sitting too high?

 

Yes, that is correct. The A frame doesn't seem to be apart enough to get the new strut in. The old strut was seized up and the distance from end to end was 19 1/2" The new strut is 21" and I can't seem to get it to fit. Do I need to disconnect some parts to open the A frame wider?

 

IDK, IMO you need someone local to look at what you got. If the shock won't compress it sound like you have a defective or damaged shock. The spring not the shock supports the vehicle. If you take sway bar link loose you may get some additional travel.