Remove Strut Insert - Try This If Insert Is Stuck

mca · 05:28 AM

I have been meaning to post this for the last couple of months.

When I was replacing my front struts, one of them WOULD NOT come out. No matter how I tried the thing would not budge. The other side came out with zero effort.

On the advice of a local Pelican I went up to Lowes and bought TWO 1/2" x 4" steel galvanized pipe nipples. I placed pipes over the stuck strut so that the pipes are stacked and resting on the strut assembly. I then placed a large washer on top of the two pipes and then screwed the nut on the strut bolt.

As you apply torque to the nut it presses on the washer which presses on the pipes ... which are pressing on the strut assembly. Since the strut assembly isn't going anywhere, the stuck strut presses itself out of the assembly.

See pics below (pretend the strut is still stuck inside of the assembly when looking at pics).

KFC911 · 03-03-2008, 03:42 AM

I had that happen to me once several years ago, and mine was a PITA but finally released with the BFH approach. I like your solution a lot better.

chamilun · 08-22-2009, 03:04 PM

hate to revive such an old thread, but.............

after spending a ridiculous amount of time removing the pin on the driver side strut (trick: get a punch out set = easy. every other method = hard), the insert will not come out. I tried every trick in the book.

what I don't understand is if you get two 2" x 4" galvanized pipes as described here, then put the large washer on top, then the nut, all you get is endless spinning of the bolt.

what I am missing?

thanks

mca · 08-22-2009, 03:48 PM

Have you tried it yet?

If not ... trust me. You will understand once you set it up.

chamilun · 08-22-2009, 04:17 PM

yes, I tried it. got nowhere.

Im either really tired, or really stupid, or both

is there a trick to keeping the screw from spinning?

mca · 05:05 PM

Huh, I don't recall the strut bolt (which makes the entire strut spin) spinning like that.

Maybe my strut was bound so tight that it wasn't able to spin? Mine had leaked so the fluid in there created a tight vacuum.

Craps!

chamilun · 08-22-2009, 06:16 PM

I'm going to try putting a wrench under the top not and bang it out tomorrow.

then I get to tackle the right rear. Joy!

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Quote:

what I don't understand is if you get two 2" x 4" galvanized pipes as described here, then put the large washer on top, then the nut, all you get is endless spinning of the bolt.

You need to hold the shaft still. There are either flats, or a hex cut into the shaft for this. What will likely work best is just using an impact gun. It'll spin everything so fast, the nut will tighten.l

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

If you are replacing the insert then here's what I did. I grabbed my trusty huge pair of vise grips and clamped it down as tight as possible. I then banged up on it about 20 times. What was weird is that I felt nothing was happening until I took the VG off, grabbed the insert with my hands and pulled up. It slid out like butter. All you are doing is breaking the seal, but these were boge inserts.
Good luck.
Like stated, getting the insert nut off and back on tight, is a *****, but I forked out money for an electric impact which works like a charm.

chamilun · 08-23-2009, 08:00 AM

well, for the first time in a long time, I gave up. 3 hours just trying to separate something is way too long. I also passed on the rear right shock. Patience is gone, I'll let the mechanic sort it out.

thanks for all the help.

tomolmsted · tomolmsted's Garage

On my 69 Boge, I took the o-ring out with my dental pick and it pulled right out.

Kraftwerk · 05-29-2012, 08:03 PM

I am about to do this so its good to read these posts. All of them. What does a "punch out set"
look like? I was going to use an old drill bit (backwards) to bash out the pin. The strut insert could be difficult as well. We will see.....

tazzieman · tazzieman's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk

What does a "punch out set"
look like? I was going to use an old drill bit (backwards) to bash out the pin.

Nail punch set. Don't skimp on quality , or they will bend and break. An old drill bit will break...it takes a lot of carefully applied force to get those pins out!

Chuck Moreland · 05-29-2012, 08:54 PM

Most frequently this problem of a stuck insert is experienced with a bilstein insert in a boge strut. If it takes a little tug to get the insert out, it's no big deal. But if it is really stuck, you need to ask why.

Typically this happens because the strut is bent. The bent tube is pinching the insert. Careful inspection can reveal if the strut is bent.

If you strut bent, toss it.