Strut repair challenge for you

[pryord]

I got my Bilsteins revalved, but before I can install them I must get the old rubber bumbers out of the strut assemblies. They are pulverized in the bottom of each tube. I've tried pulling one out with a coat hanger, but this only pulls small rubber chunks out. Any ideas?

[rusnak]

two pipe wrenches (with apologies to the Porsche gods) and some new paint.

[madkow]

Spray lots of Carb Creaner into the struts directly on the snubs that are stuck inside! The Carb cleaner will heat up the rubber pieces and make removal easier.

[rusnak]

I just re-read this thread. Are you saying the dust sheild tube is already separated from the shock body, and the rubber snubber is stuck? I'd leave them in then, since they are merely there to protect the shock from damage (it doesn't affect performance). If you are dead set on removing them then yeah, you might have to go caveman with some parts cleaner.

[KCinBR]

How about shop vac, if they are pulverised it should suck them out.

If this sounds like a STUPID reply then I'll just mark it up to not underdtanding your question,,,,,,,,,,,,

[pryord]

Yes Rusnak, the tubes are apart, the struts removed and the bumpers still in the bottom of the tube. New bumbers are installed on the rebuilt struts, so I need to get the old ones out. I'll try the carb cleaner, because I need to clean up the insides of them anyway. Maybe alternating carb cleaner and shop vac will do the trick.

What a pain!