Need help with front strut removal?

[chrisp]

Do any of you have any experience taking front struts out? My issue is that I cannot get the lower pin out. I have the nut/washer off and I expected to just lightly tap out the pin. I cannot seem to get it to move. Any ideas? Does the enitre strut then com out or just the insert? Do I need to remove the lower ball joint to separate the complete strut from the control arm?

FYI it's and 1983 SC with Green struts.

[dtw]

This pin is not easy to get out. You can thread the nut back on partially and hammer the nut. This may save the pin; it may not. I've done several of these and have about a 50% save rate. I could probably do better but I just aim to replace them anyway. You are going to have to hammer the heck out of the pin.

If you remove the lower pin, and the big nut at the top of the strut, the whole strut comes out. You do not have to remove the ball joint, just the pin. Removing the ball joint is equally a pain in the ass, as the pin.

Good luck.

------------------
Dave
1972 911T (E motor) RSR replica project
http://members.nbci.com/dtwinters/garage/

[john walker's workshop]

on bilstien struts, the roll pin going thru the bottom of the strut must be removeed with a long punch and a hammer in order to get the shock out. use a punch small enough so it won't get stuck in the hole. there are no lower nuts or taper pins on bilstiens that need to be removed. the top nut and washer is removed, the shock is pulled downwards thru the hole, and out the wheel well. be careful to not scratch the paint. also remove the hosreshoe clip where the steel and rubber brake lines meet, so not to stress the rubber line. if the insert won't come out now, put the top nut back on and tap it out with a hammer. put some visegrips under the nut for more pounding area. if the snubber is totally ground to bits, a hose taped to a vacuum cleaner is used to suck out the debris. you have to get the insert shaft fully into it's socket in the bottom of the strut in order to get the roll pin back in to secure it. then put the upper sleeve back on, compress the insert with both hands and body weight, and deftly slip it under the wheel well, and back into it,s upper mounting hole. you might have to do the last procedure a couple of times before you get it in. replace the brake clip.

[This message has been edited by john walker's workshop (edited 07-16-2001).]

[sagacis]

I'm reviving this thread to add that JW's tips are exactly what I needed yesterday. The right side was no problem, but my left insert was stuck. I tugged and pulled and banged and cursed, but the insert wouldn't come out. After a 12 oz mechanic's lubricant, I re-read this thread and saw the tip about using a vise grip for more banging area. I put a box wrench under the nut on the top of the insert (which was hanging out of my fender) and banged it upward with a 3 lb sledge. It popped right out.

My addition of value:

JW says you need to vacuum out the bottom. I had to use a wire coat-hanger to poke out some bits, then when I put in the new insert and pulled it out, it still came out with bits of rubber on the bottom. I shone a flashlight into the roll pin hole and moved the insert up and down with my other hand. I kept cleaning until I could clearly see the notch on the insert through the roll pin hole.

Love this forum. Love my new shocks.

[mca]

Remove Strut Insert - Try This If Insert Is Stuck

I just added this post too - advice on removing stuck strut.