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).]
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