I am being repressed by a strut Help!!!

[kokenm]

I have the strut out of the car and it is the original 82 strut.
I am trying with all my might to remove the threaded cap and replace the insert but the threaded cap won't budge. I have it in a vise and am curious if maybe this cap is not threaded at all..

In need of some insight.
Mike

[Zeke]

It's threaded and lefty loosey (CCW). Some here will use the edge of the jaws of a big pipe wrench.
You never saw me do that.

[kokenm]

lefty loosey great, but it still does not budge. big vise large pipe wrench. no go.
liquid wrench and heat. I think I wore myself out and it is time for a break.

[boxsterman]

You many try cutting the strut nut to create two parallel edges using a dremel tool (see attached photo - it is a Koni strut for a 1976 911; sorry it's a little blurry). Then use a big crescent wrench to loosen it.

[arbita1]

Try reattaching the strut back onto the hub and leave the top disconnected. Put a piece of wood to brace it inside the wheel well (so it won't rotate). And try using a pipe wrench. This is how I did it.

[kokenm]

The vise is holding quite well and the pipe wrench has good grip.
I think I could stand on this thing and it would still not budge.

[kokenm]

My floor jack is now a counter weight pulling against the nut.

It's about 1ft off the ground pulling on the pipe wrench.

[arbita1]

How about just cutting it off with a Dremel or small grinder?

[kokenm]

how far down is it threaded?

[arbita1]

I have a picture in my old thread that may help.

Replacing front shock inserts

[kokenm]

There is a silver ring on the strut. this ring is the same as what is on the inserts that I have purchased. These are bilstien struts that I am playing with. I am assuming that since the new inserts are showing a threaded ring that the one on my old strut is also threaded. These are the original struts. the difficulty is that this ring does not seem to want to budge.
Is it possible that it is not threaded at all?

[gtc]

If these are bilstein struts (green) look at the base of the strut. There will be a roll pin going through the housing.
Tap out the roll pin with a punch.
Then slide the strut insert straight out the top.

It is only the boge (and koni) struts that use a nut at the top of the housing to hold the strut insert.

[fastfredracing]

I frequently use an air chisel to try to turn the nut. It works quite well, I think the constant impact will help it start to turn. Once it starts moving a little, you are home free, and should walk right out with the pipe wrench. Keep soaking it down as you turn.
You can either use one of the little holes in the top to stick the chisel into, but I usually go from the outside edge, and make my own gouge . The extra leverage from this vantage is a +. Of course the nut will be ruined, but you should have a new one with the inserts. Just be careful not to slip, and mess up the strut housing, or yourself.

[kokenm]

Graham,

Is that roll pin pretty small? I see something that looks like it should be a hex screw that is about a 3mm but there is no hex head on it. could that be the roll pin? seem a little small.

Is the inside threaded so that the replacement with it's threaded cap can be inserted and it's ring torqued down?
If this is not the case then I suppose it is time to get out the pneumatic chisel.

Mike

[burgermeister]

I used 2 pipe wrenches - one on the strut housing & one on the nut, both with 2' extensions, adjusted so I could squeeze both together with my hands. That worked.

[kokenm]

ping is out and the strut insert slid out no issues. still need to get this ring off so I can insert the new bilstien assembly.

[Jim2]

Sounds like you have "inverted cartridge" struts. You will need the correct inserts, not the ones which require a threaded gland nut. Picture is worth a thousand words here, will save you much headache.

edit: if the above is the case, the "ring" holding the grease seal is not intended to come off.

[kokenm]

Good,

new inserts on order and will be here soon.

Thanks for all the help.