replacing front struts with new inserts
 

I am in the middle of replacing my old control arms in my 84 944 and decided to replace both front strut inserts with new boge turbo OE replacements. I have a spring compressor but noticed after removal from the car that the cap on the middle section of the shock must require some sort of special tool since it just has two notches in it. Took out my new inserts and they have preplacement caps. So does anyone know where to get a tool or any other ideas to get this cap off. Plus I noticed when I turn on the end nut on the strut upper side it just spins the shock shaft?

Use a drift or punch to loosen/tighten the nut. Otherwise you need an adustable spanner. Search www.harborfreight.com

Or a pipe wrench.

They could be sealed struts, in which case the ones you have as replacements won't fit. Koni make a kit for those type of struts to go to adjustable,or look on Ebay or a wrecking yard for the threaded cap type. George at 944 Ecology would have some.

Yeah, I thought 84's had sealed struts. You do cartridges on the 85+.

Did cartridges on my 83.

Sealed struts are on the '86 944 Turbos and on all 944's from '87 and up.

86 struts I have are the same as the 83. Plus clips for the pad sensor wires.

These are not sealed struts, they come apart, tried a 14" pipe wrench with no luck. Guess I'll go get an adjustable spanner wrench.

Spray the heck out of them with wd-40 or PB Blaster.